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Kent & Medway Coroner Service

Oakwood House , Oakwood Park , Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8AE

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; large print on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There are not mobility aids available.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own parking facilities.
  • The venue shares another venues parking facilities.
  • The general public park at the Oakwood House car park and walk to the Public Entrance via a pathway. Jury members park in the Jury car park, which is adjacent to the Jury entrance at the front of the building.
  • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
  • The car park is located at the front of the venue opposite the Public Entrance.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
  • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
  • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • There is/are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 250cm x 460cm (8ft 2in x 15ft 1in).
  • There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do need to be booked in advance.
  • The Blue Badge bays must be booked in advance by contacting the Coroners office.
  • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
  • All parking spaces are provided on a first come first served basis.
  • There is a car park reserved for Jurors, which at the time of the survey in October 2023 was being renovated.
  • There are no parking charges for the car park.
  • Parking is free for visitors of the venue.
  • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
  • Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
  • The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
  • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac.
  • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
  • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).

Approach (Jury Entrance)

  • The surface of the approach is stone/concrete tiles.
  • The approach surface is uneven in places.
  • There is step-free access on the approach.
  • Comments View
    • The approach narrows to a width of 100cm for a short distance.

Entrance (Public Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
  • This entrance sign says 'Kent and Medway Coroner Service - Public Entrance'.
  • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
  • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
  • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
  • There is not a bell/buzzer.
  • There is an intercom.
  • The height of the intercom is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 168cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • There is a second set of doors.
  • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 142cm.
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

Entrance (Jury Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building along the path to the right of the Blue Badge parking spaces.
  • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
  • This entrance sign says 'Kent and Medway Coroner Service - Jury Entrance'.
  • There is step-free access at this entrance.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
  • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
  • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
  • There is not a bell/buzzer.
  • There is not an intercom.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 79cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • There is a second set of doors.
  • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 77cm.

Reception (Court Reception)

  • The reception point is located along the corridor to the right of the Public Entrance.
  • The reception point is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the Public Entrance.
  • Clear signage for the reception area/desk is visible from the entrance.
  • There is step-free access to the reception point.
  • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
  • There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
  • The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
  • The height of the reception counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
  • There is not a lowered section of the counter.
  • The counter is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
  • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
  • The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet.
  • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
  • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
  • The seats do not have armrests.
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the building via lift(s).
  • There is a slight ramp, with no handrails, for access to Courts 1 and 2 from the Jury Entrance.
  • There is/are 7 clearly marked step(s), with handrails on both sides, for access to to Court 1 and 2.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
  • The going of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a platform lift which overcomes the steps.
  • There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
  • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet.
  • There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • There are seats without armrests at regular intervals.
  • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Access to other floors/levels is via stairs and lift.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • This venue does not play background music in public areas.
  • There is a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.
  • There are hearing systems in Courts 1 and 2.
  • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located by Jury Room 1.
  • Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the Jury Entrance.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • There is a high colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate.
  • There is a high colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall.
  • The clear door width is 86cm (2ft 10in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 89cm x 141cm (2ft 11in x 4ft 8in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located along the corridor to the left of the Public Entrance, on the left.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the Public Entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is light.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 163cm x 217cm (5ft 4in x 7ft 1in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has a non-slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is a shelf next to the toilet.
    • The shelf is at a height of 30cm.
    • The shelf does not have the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
    • The shelf is not located where it is reachable.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 73cm (2ft 5in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 90cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 96cm (3ft 2in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the external door and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the toilet seat and the pan.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located by the Jury Entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the Jury Entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is light.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 157cm x 297cm (5ft 2in x 9ft 9in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has a non-slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 91cm (2ft 12in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 72cm (2ft 4in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 91cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 96cm (3ft 2in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the external door and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the toilet seat and the pan.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located by Courts 1 and 2.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the Jury Entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the accessible toilet, via lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is light.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 175cm x 220cm (5ft 9in x 7ft 3in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has a non-slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 72cm (2ft 4in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 90cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 97cm (3ft 2in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the external door and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the toilet seat and the pan.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located along the corridor to the left of the Public Entrance, on the left.
  • The female and male toilets are approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the Public Entrance.
  • There is step-free access to the female and male toilet(s).
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
  • There is not a lowered urinal in the male toilet(s).
  • An ambulant toilet with wall-mounted grab rails is not available.
  • There is not a lowered wash basin.
  • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever.
  • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
  • Lighting levels are good.
  • There is a/are similar standard toilet(s) available.