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Rainbow Centre - Ashford MASH

Rainbow Lodge, Great Chart Bypass, Ashford, Kent, TN23 4ER

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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: early years centre, speech and language therapy assessment, developmental assessment, audiology, occupational therapy, psychology, physiotherapy, dentists, and sensory room.
    • 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, this may include the use of a lift.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors and automatic doors.
    • G, 1 can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is no hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: walking aids.
    • 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 corridor G40 - G57.
    • British Sign Language interpreters can be provided 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 on the ground floor, in the reception area.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the left as you enter via the Rainbow Centre entrance.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, in corridor G4 - G21.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, in corridor G40 - G57.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • The Changing Places toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, in corridor G40 - G57.
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on the left as you enter via the Rainbow Centre entrance.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the front of the venue.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 10 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 360cm (width) x 490cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 18m from the Rainbow Centre entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and bollards.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located on both sides of the Rainbow Centre entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the drop-off point.
    • There is no dropped kerb at the drop off point to the left of the Rainbow Centre entrance.
      At the time of the survey (September 2024) the drop off points were being used as car parking spaces.

Entrance (Rainbow Centre Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the venue.
  • 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 is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 114cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 110cm.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 112cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (Early Years Centre Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front right of the venue.
  • 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 is an intercom at a height of 156cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 105cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors, however one door is locked or bolted.
  • The locked door can be opened on request .
  • The second door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 78cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located directly beyond the Rainbow Centre entrance.
  • The distance from the Rainbow Centre 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 patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is some 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 with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
  • Some seating is fixed.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the first floor (which is for staff only).
  • Access throughout may include manual doors and automatic doors.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • 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 with armrests.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Entrance (Rainbow Centre to Early Years Centre Internal Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the far end of corridor G 40 - G57, to the left of reception.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked or bolted.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 77cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Room (G49 Sensory Room)

  • The room is located at the far end of corridor G40 - G57, on the right.
  • The distance from the Rainbow Centre entrance is 30m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access, manual doors and automatic doors.
  • There is written text and numbered signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door has a locked extension leaf.
  • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 84cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • Furniture can be moved to enable a manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The room has sensory lighting and padded seats.

Changing Places (G.44.0 Care Suite - Transfer Both Sides)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located along the G40 - G57 corridor, at the far end on the left.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • The distance from the Rainbow Centre entrance is 35m.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has manual doors, automatic doors and step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is written text and numbered signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • 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 they are obstructed.
    • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 120cm.
    • The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 190cm.
    • 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 48cm 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 180cm.
    • 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 low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 118cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • A wide paper roll dispenser is available.
    • The height of the wide paper roll dispenser is 100cm.
    • 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 pedal bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • A privacy screen is available.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor, in the reception area.
    • The distance from the Rainbow Centre entrance is 10m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, manual doors and automatic doors.
    • 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 82cm.
    • 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 243cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 95cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the right 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 95cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 83cm 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 99cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 130cm from the floor.
    • 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 a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 142cm and 142cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Parent and Baby Room / Feeding Room

  • The room surveyed is located on the ground floor, in the reception area.
  • The distance from the Rainbow Centre entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has manual doors, step-free level access and automatic doors.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 83cm.
  • There is a wash basin, a paper towel dispenser, an assistance bell and a mirror in the room.
  • The wash basin has a sensor tap.
  • The room has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There is a door to enter the toilets area which opens outwards to a width of 83cm and has a high colour contrast.