One Voice - for disabled people
One Voice and DAGLA (Disabled Advisory Group on Leisure Activities) had meetings with the access officer regarding the plans for the new Wednesfield Library. There were some of the comments put forward:
1) Problems getting to the site - public transport issues
2) Limited parking - could this be addressed by providing blue badge parking in the empty space to the right of the building. Also there should be parent and toddler parking, so that the children's library can be well accessed.
3) The Entrance doesn't look very clear and needs to stand out from the rest of the building.
4) There needs to be a good signage scheme as it looks difficult to get to and around the site.
There should be tactile and colour contrasted guiding paths to lead people to the main entrance.
5) Are the lifts able to be used as part of the evacuation procedure? There needs to be a rigourous evac. procedure with staff trained in assisting children and people with various access issues to safely leave the building. There are two flights of stairs potentially to be navigated. The details on how this is to be managed should be in the design access statement.
6) There should be a mixture of seating options, e.g. fixed or removable, with or without arms, should be provided for customers or visitors.
7) Will doors be automatic opening internally and externally? If not they need to be easy to open.
8) There are 2 accessible W.C.s on the groundfloor. This is a good opporunity to make one left-transfer, and one right-side transfer.
9) Is Door D3 off the accessible W.C. too near to the double doors opening into the children's library?
10) In the baby cange, could a low level children's w.c. be provided - since children are so clearly being catered for in the library services planned? Also could the door open outwards to provide more space.
11) Why are there 2 doors into the consultation room. The room is not accessible where the desk is located.
12) The kitchen should be accessible.
If you are interested in this or any other projects and would like to get involved or find out more, contact us