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Dining Center

Sharples Commons and Dining Center, Swarthmore College, 11/13 Sharples Lane, Swarthmore, PA, 19081

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Access Guide

Access To

  • The Dining Center is located within the Sharples Commons building.
    It can be accessed by entering the Sharples Commons building on Floor 2 and taking the elevator down to Floor 1 where the entrance to the Dining Center is located.
    The elevator within the Dining Center only gives access to Floor 2 of the Dining Center. The Floor 2 of the Dining Center is not connected to the Commons Building, it is just part of the Dining Center.
  • View information on Sharples Commons (opens new tab) .
  • The most accessible route has step-free level access and an elevator.
  • Some flooring is shiny along the route.
  • There is no signage on or near the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access to enter.
  • There is an opening without doors.
  • The width of the opening is 8ft 0in (245cm).

Restrooms and Changing Facilities Available

  • Multiple-stall Restrooms with Accessibility Features View
    • The multiple-stall restrooms with accessibility features are located on Floor 1 and Floor 2 of the Dining Center.
    • The transfer space within the multiple-stall restrooms with accessibility features varies between left hand transfer and right hand transfer.
  • Standard Restrooms View
    • Step-free gender inclusive restrooms are located on Floor 1 of the Sharples Dining Center.
    • Step-free male and female restrooms are located on Floor 2 of the Sharples Dining Center.
    • There is a single ambulatory stall in the restroom facilities on Floor 1 of the Dining Center.

Counter (Floor 1 - Payment Counter)

  • The counter is located on Floor 1 of the Sharples Commons building, to the right before the entrance of the Sharples Dining Center.
  • The counter is approximately 15yd 11in (14m) from the Sharples Commons and Dining Center elevator.
  • The most accessible route to the counter has step-free level access and an elevator.
  • The height of the counter is 3ft 6in (107cm).
  • The lowered section of the counter is at a height of 2ft 10in (86cm).
  • The counter has a television that may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • There is not an assistive listening system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • There is space for a wheelchair user to maneuver (60in x 60in - 1525mm x 1525mm).
  • There are chairs without armrests in this area.
  • There is space for a service animal to rest in the seating area.

Eating and Drinking (Floor 1 - Dining Center)

  • Service and Payment View
    • This area has a counter where food can be ordered, self service counters, staff who can provide assistance with ordering and numerous seating areas.
    • Full table service is available on request only.
    • The type of food served here is Daily Kneads, World of Flavor, Field of Greens, The Classics, Free Zone and Fired Up.
    • Menus are available on a board, digital and online.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: takeout cups and takeout utensils.
    • The service counter was surveyed.
    • The most accessible route to the counter has step-free level access.
    • The height of the counter is 2ft 10in (86cm).
    • The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds and glass screens that may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • Self-serve items are reachable when seated in a wheelchair (within 48in - 1220mm reach).
    • The height of the Daily Kneads, The Classics, World of Flavor and the central self-service counters are 2ft 8in (86cm).
      The height of the self-service drinks counter, Field of Greens and Free Zone counters are 2ft 9in (87cm).
      The height of the Fired Up counter is between 2ft 9in (88cm) and 3ft 5in (108cm).
  • Seating Area View
    • The seating area surveyed is located throughout Floor 1 of the Sharples Dining Center.
    • The most accessible route to the seating area has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • There is space for a wheelchair user to maneuver (60in x 60in - 1525mm x 1525mm).
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor.
    • There are no designated spaces for wheelchair users.
    • There are chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, couches, high stools and wide chairs without armrests in this area.
    • There are tables, dining tables, high tables and long tables in this area.
    • There are some tables suitable for wheelchair users (between 28in and 34in - 710mm and 860mm from the floor).
    • There is sufficient unobstructed space (at least 30 inches wide) between tables and seating areas to allow for a wheelchair to pass through.
    • There is background noise that varies depending on the time of day.
    • A drinking fountain is available.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
    • The catering staff and accessibility support team work together to find out the individual needs of the student prior to enrolment in order to create a plan that makes their dining experience accessible to them.

Seating Area (Floor 1 - Dining Terrace)

  • Location and Access View
    • The seating area surveyed is located to the rear of the Floor 1 seating area in the Dining Center.
    • The most accessible route to the seating area has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access to enter.
    • There is a single manual door to enter.
    • The door has a low visual contrast.
    • The door opens towards you.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The door has a pull handle.
    • The width of the opening is 2ft 9in (83cm).
    • There is a squared threshold (more than 1/2in) at the opening.
  • Seating Area Details View
    • The seating area is covered.
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • Furniture can be moved to enable space for a wheelchair user to maneuver (60in x 60in - 1525mm x 1525mm).
    • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor.
    • There are no designated spaces for wheelchair users.
    • There is space for a service animal to rest.
    • There are chairs without armrests in this area.
    • There are dining tables in this area.
    • All tables are suitable for wheelchair users (between 28in and 34in - 710mm and 860mm from the floor).
    • There may be background noise.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Elevator (Dining Center)

  • The elevator is located ahead and to the right as you enter the Dining Center, in between the Free Zone and Field of Greens counters.
  • The elevator surveyed is approximately 19yd 2ft (18m) from the Sharples Dining Center entrance.
  • The most accessible route to the elevator has step-free level access.
  • The floors which are accessible by this elevator are B, 1 and 2.
  • The elevator has a turning space of 30in x 48in (760mm x 1220mm) in front of it.
  • The external elevator control buttons have a low visual contrast.
  • All of the external elevator controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user (between 15in - 48in (380mm - 1220mm)).
  • The weight limit for the elevator is 4000 lb.
  • The elevator door has a high visual contrast.
  • The elevator door opening width is 4ft (122cm).
  • The internal dimensions of the elevator are 7ft 9in width x 5ft 9in depth (237cm x 176cm).
  • The internal elevator control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal elevator controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user (between 15in - 48in (380mm - 1220mm)).
  • Internally the elevator has: a visual floor indicator and railings.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • The floor signed as 'B' within the elevator is a staff-only basement floor.

Stairway (Dining Center)

  • The stairway surveyed is located to the far end of the Dining Center on Floor 1.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairway are Floor 1 and Floor 2.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The height of the handrails is 3ft 1in (93cm).
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The step markings are not clearly visible.
  • The height of the highest step is 6in (15cm).
  • The minimum tread depth is 1ft 1in (32cm).
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The height of the upper handrail is 3ft 5in (107cm).

Eating and Drinking (Floor 2 - Dining Center)

  • Service and Payment View
    • This area has a counter where food can be ordered, a buffet counter, a self service counter, staff who can provide assistance with ordering and numerous seating areas.
    • Full table service is available on request only.
    • The type of food served here is from the Grillin' Out, Spice of Life and Verdant Vegan counters.
    • Menus are available on a board, digital and online.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: takeout cups and takeout utensils.
    • The service counter was surveyed.
    • The most accessible route to the counter has step-free level access.
    • The height of the counter is 2ft 10in (87cm).
    • The counter has glass screens and patterned/distracting backgrounds that may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • Self-serve items are reachable when seated in a wheelchair (within 48in - 1220mm reach).
    • The height of all counters in this area is 2ft 9in (87cm).
  • Seating Area View
    • The seating area surveyed is located throughout Floor 2 of the Sharples Dining Center.
    • The most accessible route to the seating area has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • There is space for a wheelchair user to maneuver (60in x 60in - 1525mm x 1525mm).
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor.
    • There are no designated spaces for wheelchair users.
    • There are chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, booths, bench seats and high stools in this area.
    • There are coffee tables, tables, high tables and long tables in this area.
    • There are some tables suitable for wheelchair users (between 28in and 34in - 710mm and 860mm from the floor).
    • There is sufficient unobstructed space (at least 30 inches wide) between tables and seating areas to allow for a wheelchair to pass through.
    • There is background noise that varies depending on the time of day.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
    • The catering staff and accessibility support team work together to find out the individual needs of the student prior to enrolment in order to create a plan that makes their dining experience accessible to them.

Room (Floor 2 - Private Dining Room - Lewis H. Lazarus '78)

  • Location and Access View
    • The room surveyed is located on Floor 2 of the Sharples Dining Center, to the left as you exit the elevator.
    • The room surveyed is approximately 6yd 1ft (6m) from the Sharples Dining Center elevator.
    • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
    • There is Braille, tactile and numbered signage on or near the entrance.
    • There is step-free level access to enter.
    • There is a single manual door to enter the room.
    • The door has a low visual contrast.
    • The door opens away from you.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The door has a lever handle.
    • The width of the opening is 2ft 9in (84cm).
    • The height of the key card reader for the room is 3ft 8in (116cm).
  • Room Details View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • There is space for a wheelchair user to maneuver (60in x 60in - 1525mm x 1525mm).
    • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor.
    • There are no designated spaces for wheelchair users.
    • There are chairs without armrests and bench seats in this room.
    • There are long tables in this room.
    • All tables are suitable for wheelchair users (between 28in and 34in - 710mm and 860mm from the floor).
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Additional facilities/services include: a flashing fire alarm and a television with subtitles.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • There are 4 private dining rooms available on Floor 2 of the Sharples Dining Center.
      There is an additional private dining room on Floor 1 of the Sharples Dining Center.

Restroom with Accessibility Features (Floor 1 - Gender Inclusive - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The restroom surveyed is a multiple-stall restroom.
    • The restroom surveyed is located on Floor 1 of Sharples Dining Center, to the right as you enter and at the rear of the unisex stalls and on the right.
    • The restroom surveyed is approximately 18yd 1ft (17m) from the Sharples Dining Center entrance.
    • The most accessible route to the restroom has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the restroom.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the restroom door.
    • The width of the restroom door opening is 4ft 11in (149cm).
    • The door into the stall opens outwards and has a low visual contrast with the surrounding walls.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The door has no handle.
    • The width of the stall door opening is 2ft 10in (87cm).
    • The door has a sliding bolt lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The overall dimensions are 4ft 12in x 5ft (152cm x 153cm).
    • The turning space dimensions are 2ft 6in x 4ft 6in (76cm x 136cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left of the toilet as you look at it.
    • The lateral transfer space is 2ft 11in (90cm) (from the side of the toilet bowl to the wall).
    • There is a push button flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab bar on the rear wall and on the side wall.
    • The horizontal grab bars have a medium visual contrast with the surrounding walls.
    • There is a vertical grab bar on the side wall.
    • The vertical grab bar has a medium visual contrast with the surrounding walls.
    • The toilet seat is 1ft 7in (47cm) from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall-mounted toilet paper dispenser that can be easily reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet paper dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet paper dispenser is 1ft 8in (51cm) from the floor.
    • The sink is 2ft 10in (87cm) from the floor.
    • The area underneath the sink is unobstructed .
    • The sink faucet type is sensor.
    • There is a wall-mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 4ft 4in (131cm) from the floor.
    • There is not a paper towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall-mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 3ft 9in (115cm) from the floor.
    • There is a mirror above the sink/counter top with its bottom edge within 40in (1000mm) maximum from the finish floor.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The stall has a sanitary products receptacle.
    • There are two coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 3ft 11in and 4ft (119cm and 122cm) from the floor.
    • There is a medium visual contrast between the walls and floor.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.