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Orchards Centre - Swale MASH

Attlee Way, Milton Regis, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 2HE

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • This is a multi agency specialist hub (MASH) for disabled children and their families.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: occupational therapy, physiotherapy, dentistry, psychology, speech and language therapy, developmental assessment, sensory room, and soft play.
    • View information on opening times
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is no hearing assistance system.
    • There is a designated safe space which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
    • The designated safe space is located in the sensory room, in the wildlife wing to the right of reception.
    • British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: large print (on request) and different languages (on request).
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located directly ahead from the main entrance.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located directly ahead from the main entrance.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located in the flower wing, fruit wing and wildlife wing.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • The Changing Places toilet facilities are located in the wildlife wing to the right of reception.
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located directly ahead from the main entrance, opposite the standard toilets.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the venue.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 7 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted and have markings which are faded.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 25m from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and bollards.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 107cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 96cm.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 115cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the left as you enter the building.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 105cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.
  • The seating is fixed.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all walkways.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Sensory Room

  • The sensory room is located in the wildlife wing to the right of reception.
  • There is step free access into the sensory room.
  • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
  • The door has a closer and maybe difficult for some to open.
  • The room does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • There is sensory lighting and padded seating in the room.

Activity Room (Soft Play)

  • Access View
    • The soft play room is located in the wildlife wing to the right of reception.
    • There is not wayfinding signage on the route to the room(s).
    • Signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
    • The corridor/walkway outside the room(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
    • 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 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 (with a locked extension leaf).
    • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
    • The door has a closer and maybe difficult for some to open.
    • The activity is staffed for the duration.
    • 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).
    • 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 no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
    • The type of flooring in the room(s) is vinyl.
    • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is a powered overhead hoist available that covers the whole of the room.

Outdoor Spaces

  • The following is available in this area: a playground with play equipment and a grassed play area.
  • Outdoor areas consist of concrete or tarmac and rubber tarmac.
  • There are footpaths in some areas.
  • The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
  • Playground View
    • There is a route around the play equipment which is firm and even, and is at least 150cm wide.
    • The play equipment is within easy reach for seated and standing users and users of different heights.
    • The following play experiences are available: sliding, climbing and viewing.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located directly ahead from the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 83cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 161cm (width) x 239cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 90cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 98cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 78cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 90cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 97cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 142cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Changing Places (Transfer Both Sides)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located in the wildlife wing to the right of reception.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 40m.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is no signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 83cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
    • The dimensions of the facility are 350cm (width) x 400cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (180cm x 180cm).
  • Toilet Details View
    • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet, however the left side is obstructed.
    • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 190cm.
    • The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 110cm.
    • There is an elbow pad flush for the toilet.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 49cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is not a wall mounted toilet roll holder.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The changing bench is free standing and height adjustable.
    • The length of the changing bench is 190cm.
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead and accesses all areas.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are push.
    • There is no shower seat.
  • Other Facilities View
    • There is a height adjustable wash basin.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 126cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 127cm from the floor.
    • A wide paper roll dispenser is available.
    • The height of the wide paper roll dispenser is 108cm.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The facility has a waste bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 142cm from the floor.
    • A privacy screen is available.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.