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Maidstone House - Maidstone Community Service

King Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6JQ

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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.
  • There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • British Sign Language interpreters cannot be provided on request.
  • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; Braille on request, large print on request, Makaton on request and different languages 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 mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include mobile hoists, commodes and adjustable beds.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact any member of staff.

Parking (Rooftop Car Park)

  • The venue has shared parking facilities.
  • The venue shares the shopping centres parking facilities.
  • Parking View
    • The car park is located off King Street.
    • 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 concrete.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted and have markings which are faded.
    • There is/are 6 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 250cm x 480cm.
    • There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • 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 an overflow car park for staff and visitors.
    • There is also a multi-storey car park available which is also accessed by King Street.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the car park.
    • Parking is not free for visitors of the venue.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located throughout the car park.
    • Payment term signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
    • To see the parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
    • Payment machines are located throughout the car park.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is concrete and block paving.
    • There is a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • There is some tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the car park and the entrance.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 50m from the main entrance.
  • Drop-off Point(s) View
    • There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).

Approach (King Street to Rooftop Car Park)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is stone/concrete tiles and block paving.
    • The approach surface is uneven in places.
    • The venue is situated on the rooftop of the Mall Shopping Centre.
      There are entry points for the shopping centre on King Street and Gabriels Hill.
      There are lifts within the shopping centre that cover all floors, including the rooftop car park.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent, has a steep gradient and has no handrails.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a/are step(s) on the approach.
    • There is/are 1 unmarked step(s), with no handrails.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is 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 a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 140cm (4ft 7in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access throughout the building.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • There are corridors/walkways with a surface width of less than 120cm (excluding any permanent obstructions over a small distance).
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors/walkways.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • 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 not a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.

Area(s)

  • The facilities/services located on the ground floor include; a staff office, a workroom, kitchen, accessible toilet, adjustable bed, powered hoist and a standard shared toilet.
  • There is step-free access throughout the building.
  • There are doors in lobby areas/corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
  • There are corridors/walkways with a surface width of less than 150cm (excluding any permanent obstructions over a small distance).
  • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet.
  • Not all of the main walkway(s)/aisle(s) in the open plan office(s) are wide enough for wheelchair users to pass.
  • The following facilities in this area may not be accessible or usable for wheelchair users; some corridors, storage areas, server rooms and offices.
  • The type of flooring in the open plan/communal areas is carpet.
  • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • There are no height adjustable desks in this area.
  • There are some desks which are potentially accessible for wheelchair users in this area.
  • Seating in this area includes; chairs with no armrests, armchairs, adjustable chairs with wheels and armrests, adjustable chairs with wheels but no armrests, chairs with armrests and chairs with wheels and armrests.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • There is no overhead signage in this area.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • None of the doors in this area have Braille signage.
  • None of the doors in this area have tactile signage.
  • There is not background music in this area.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.
  • Breakout Area(s) View
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the breakout area(s).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user within the breakout space(s).
    • The following types of seating can be found in breakout space(s); chairs without armrests.
    • The clear floor space beneath tables in the breakout space(s) is 70cm.
    • Vending machines are not available.
    • A cash machine is not available.

Room(s)

  • Access View
    • The room surveyed was Workroom.
    • The workroom is located in the main corridor, to the right after the communal area.
    • There is not wayfinding signage on route to the room(s).
    • Signage for the room(s) is not available in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
    • The corridor/walkway outside the room(s) is not sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
    • The colour contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The colour contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • There is step-free access into the room(s).
  • Room Details View
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is/are single.
    • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
    • The door has a closer and maybe difficult for some to open.
    • Light switches are between 75cm and 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
    • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
    • There is not fixed furniture within the room(s).
    • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 75cm.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to turn within the room.
    • Furniture can be reconfigured to allow a turning space for wheelchair users.
    • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
    • There are some chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
    • The type of flooring in the room(s) is carpet.
    • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Kitchen

  • The kitchen is located at the rear of the communal area.
  • There is step-free access to the kitchen.
  • The kitchen has open access (no doors).
  • The width of the door opening is 100cm.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the kitchen.
  • The height of the work surfaces are 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • There is not a dual height refreshment counter.
  • There is not a work surface with a clear knee recess.
  • There is not a height adjustable work surface.
  • The type of flooring in this area is vinyl.
  • Vending machines are not available.
  • Takeaway cups are not available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Lighting levels are good.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located at the far end of the main corridor.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 140m (153yd 4in) from the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into 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 locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 80cm.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 335cm x 285cm (10ft 12in x 9ft 4in).
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by the female sanitary and non-infectious waste bins.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and non-infectious waste 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 not 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • There are no vertical wall-mounted grab rails at the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps do not 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 95cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 125cm (4ft 1in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is also a height adjustable bed and a powered moveable hoist within the facility.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s) View
    • The shared toilets that were surveyed are located in the main corridor towards the rear of the building.
    • The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 100m (109yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the shared toilet(s).
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • There is not a lowered urinal.
    • 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 a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are good.