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The Seamus Heaney Centre

Queen's University Belfast, 38-40 University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NN

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout Levels G, G (Rear), 1, 1 (Rear), 2 and 2 (Rear) via lift. The rear mezzanine landing levels off the rear stairs 1 M (Rear) and 2 M (Rear) have stepped access. Level 3 has stepped access via the rear stairs.
  • The rear mezzanine landing levels off the rear stairs 1 M (Rear) leads to office 01.028. The rear mezzanine landing levels off the rear stairs 2 M (Rear) leads to office 02.027. Level 3 off the rear stairs leads to offices 03.005, 03.004 and 03.003.
  • Access to the seating area and rear staff office on Level G (Rear) is via 4 clearly marked steps with handrails on both sides.
  • Access to the kitchen area and rear staff offices on Level 2 (Rear) is via 2 clearly marked steps with handrails on both sides.
  • Access to the kitchen area and rear staff offices on Level 1 (Rear) is via 4 clearly marked steps with handrails on both sides.
  • Alternatively the lift can be used to overcome the steps.
  • Access to Level 3 is via the rear stairs.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Overhead and wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located through to the right as you enter the main entrance on the ground floor, through to the left from the lift on the first floor, and through to the left from the lift on the second floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located through to the right as you enter the main entrance on the ground floor, through to the left from the lift on the first floor, and through to the left from the lift on the second floor.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located through to the right as you enter the main entrance on the ground floor, through to the left from the lift on the first floor, and through to the left from the lift on the second floor.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located through to the right as you enter the main entrance on the ground floor.

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available .
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on University Street.
    • There is also barrier controlled University permit parking on Mount Charles, which visitors can use via prior arrangement with the centre.

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building .
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 2 steps with a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail does not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The step is unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm .
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key pad at a height of 118cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 90cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • The second door has a medium visual contrast.
  • The doors are push pad operated.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (Rear)

  • This entrance is located at the rear side of the building, on Mount Charles.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is stepped access at the entrance.
  • There are 2 steps with no handrails.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm .
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key pad at a height of 130cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 100cm.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • The door is push pad operated to exit.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the left as you enter.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 2m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 75cm.
  • The reception has windows.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Exhibition Space (The Weston Gallery)

  • The museum is interactive.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
  • There may be background noise.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • Display information includes: televisions/screens, information boards, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and touchscreens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: stools and benches.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: desks.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located through to the right as you enter the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 22m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • Floors G Front, G Rear, 1 Front, 1 Rear and 2 Front are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have a medium visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 92cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a medium visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a list of floor services/facilities, an audible announcer, a hearing assistance alarm system, a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and a separate door to exit.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Staff assistance is required to operate the lift.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right as you enter, opposite reception.
  • Levels G, 1 and 2 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm .
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Rear)

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead as you enter the rear entrance.
  • G Rear, 1 M, 1 Rear, 2M, 2 Rear and 3 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm .
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located through to the right as you enter.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual 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 97cm.
    • 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 medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 181cm (width) x 223cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 104cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 49cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high 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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 99cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 75cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 99cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 96cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf meets the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 169cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.