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Shepway Centre

Oxford Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 8AW

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is not a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.

Parking

  • The building has shared parking facilities.
  • The car park is located in front of the building.
  • 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 signposted and have markings which are faded.
  • There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 290cm x 480cm (9ft 6in x 15ft 9in).
  • There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
  • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • 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 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 unaided.
  • The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
  • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac and concrete tiles.
  • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
  • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).
  • Comments View
    • At the time of the survey, October 2023, one Blue Badge Bay was obstructed by refuse bins.

Entrance (Main 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 'Reception eis LETS KEEP IT SIMPLE'.
  • There is ramped/sloped 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 130cm (4ft 3in).
  • There is an intercom.
  • The height of the intercom is 149cm (4ft 11in).
  • A key fob is required for access at this entrance.
  • The height of the key fob reader is 126cm.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 94cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance doors.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.

Step(s)

  • There is a/are step(s) located directly beyond the entrance.
  • The step(s) is/are used to access the entire building.
  • There is/are 5 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) does/do not have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
  • The going of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up.
  • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
  • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are easy to grip.
  • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located directly beyond the entrance.
  • The lift is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main 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 medium colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 80cm x 119cm (2ft 7in x 3ft 11in).
  • 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 have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.

Reception

  • The reception point is located directly ahead at the top of the stairs.
  • The reception point is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Clear signage for the reception area/desk is not 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 high (110cm+).
  • 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 bell to attract attention.
  • 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 not a waiting area close to the reception point.
  • Comments View
    • A telephone number is provided for assistance should no one be in Reception.

Getting Around

  • There is not step-free access throughout the building.
  • There is/are 5 clearly marked step(s), with handrails on both sides, for access to The Lightning Room.
  • 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 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 no seats/chairs 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 not 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.

Other Floors

  • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
  • The stairs are for public use.
  • The stairs are located directly opposite Reception.
  • The stairs are approximately 4m from the main entrance.
  • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
  • There are 15+ steps between floors.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
  • The going of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
  • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
  • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are easy to grip.
  • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • There is a landing.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.
  • The room(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are Discovery Room, Oxford Room, A23 Hot Desk Room.
  • Comments View
    • There are two similar set of stairs along the corridor from Reception to the right. At the furthest stairs from Reception there is a portable ramp available to access a fire exit. The ramp overcomes the steps and has a width of 73cm and a length of 240cm.

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 right of Reception, and on the right.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the main 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 locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 160cm x 248cm (5ft 3in x 8ft 2in).
    • 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).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by waste bin and sanitary bin.
    • There is a flush, however it is not 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 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 and general waste (with lid) 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 99cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 71cm (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 113cm.
    • 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 107cm (3ft 6in).
    • 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 93cm (3ft 1in).
  • 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 Reception, and on the left.
  • The female and male toilets are approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main 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 a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • There are two clearly marked steps up with no handrail to access the urinals and cubicles in the male toilets.