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Mertz Hall

Swarthmore College, 100 N. Chester Rd, Swarthmore, PA, 19081

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Access Guide

About

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via slopes with a gradient of less than 5%.
  • There are 2 entrances into the building. 1 entrance provides step-free level access (main entrance).
  • The entrances are not named in the building, but the main entrance is located at the front of the building and the rear entrance is at the back of the building on the right hand side.
  • The main entrance gives direct level access to floor 1 of the building.
  • The rear entrance is accessed by a slope of less than 5%, a manual door and gives access to floor LL by Stair 1.

Getting Around

  • Step-free access is available throughout the building.
  • The majority of the corridors have a carpeted surface.
    The entrance foyer and corridors leading directly off that have a tiled surface that is shiny. The same locations on floors 2 and 3 have a vinyl surface.
    Floor LL has a concrete floor.
  • There is bench seating available in corridors throughout the building.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided within the building. However, each room and facility is clearly signed on the door.

Restrooms and Changing Facilities Available

  • Multiple-stall Restrooms with Accessibility Features View
    • The multiple-stall restrooms with accessibility features are located on floors 1 - 3 on the right hand side of the building.
    • 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 male and female restrooms are located on floors 1 - 3.
    • Step-free unisex restrooms are located on floors 1 - 3.
  • Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities with accessibility features are located in the restrooms on floors 1 - 3 on the right hand side of the building.
    • Standard shower facilities are located in the restrooms on floors 1 - 3 on both sides on the building.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess that provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • There is a push plate/sensor at a height of 3ft 7in (110cm).
  • The doors have lever handles.
  • The width of the opening is 2ft 6in (77cm).
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • Of these double doors only one of the doors is automatic, the other door is manual opening.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • There is a push plate/sensor at a height of 3ft 2in (96cm).
  • The doors have pull handles.
  • The width of the opening is 2ft 9in (83cm).
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • Of these double doors only one of the doors is automatic, the other door is manual opening.

Elevator

  • The elevator is located in the far right hand corner of the building.
  • The elevator surveyed is approximately 41yd 1ft (38m) from the main entrance.
  • The most accessible route to the elevator has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • The floors which are accessible by this elevator are LL, 1, 2 and 3.
  • The elevator has a turning space of 30in x 48in (760mm x 1220mm) in front of it.
  • The external elevator control buttons have a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external elevator controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user (between 15in - 48in (380mm - 1220mm)).
  • The elevator door has a medium visual contrast.
  • The elevator door opening width is 3ft 6in (106cm).
  • The internal dimensions of the elevator are 6ft 7in width x 4ft 1in depth (200cm x 125cm).
  • 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 even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other elevators available at this location that are of a similar size.
  • Floor LL is reached by pressing button G within the lift.

Stairway (Stair 3)

  • The stairway surveyed is located in the far right hand corner of the building, opposite the elevator.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairway are LL, 1, 2 and 3.
  • There are 14 steps between floors.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The height of the handrails is 2ft 7in (78cm).
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the highest step is 7in (19cm).
  • The minimum tread depth is 11in (28cm).
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Stair 1 is located on the opposite side of the building, and Stair 2 is located just inside the main entrance in the foyer. Neither of these access floor LL.

Kitchen

  • The kitchen is located on floor 1, directly to the left as you enter the main entrance.
  • The most accessible route to the kitchen has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access to enter.
  • There is an opening without doors to enter the kitchen.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • A lowered work surface is available.
  • The lowered work surface is at a height of 2ft 9in (85cm).
  • There is a knee recess under the lowered work surface.
  • Overhead and under counter cupboards are available.
  • A lowered cooktop is not available.
  • The cooktop controls are located at the back.
  • The stove controls are located at the back.
  • A lowered sink is available.
  • The lowered sink is at a height of 2ft 9in (85cm).
  • There is not a knee recess under the lowered sink.
  • The sink faucet type is lever-style mixer.
  • Facilities within the kitchen include a refrigerator and a freezer.
  • The following machines are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user (between 15in - 48in (380mm - 1220mm) from the floor): the refrigerator.
  • There are chairs without armrests in the kitchen.
  • There are dining tables in the kitchen.
  • All tables are suitable for wheelchair users (between 28in and 34in - 710mm and 860mm from the floor).
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are also kitchens in the same location on floors 2 and 3.

Lounge

  • The room surveyed is located on floor 1, directly to the left as you enter the main entrance.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access to enter.
  • There is an opening without doors to enter the room.
  • 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 couches in this room.
  • There are coffee tables, tables and fixed desks in this room.
  • There are some tables suitable for wheelchair users (between 28in and 34in - 710mm and 860mm from the floor).
  • Additional facilities/services include: a television with subtitles.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • The living room also has a computer terminal and a printer.
    There are also living rooms in the same location on floors 2 and 3.

Laundry Room

  • The laundry room is located on floor LL, to the right as you exit the elevator.
  • The most accessible route to the laundry room has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access to enter.
  • There is a single manual door to enter the laundry room.
  • The door has a medium 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).
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is space for a wheelchair user to maneuver (60in x 60in - 1525mm x 1525mm).
  • Facilities within the laundry room include a washer and a dryer.
  • There are chairs without armrests in the laundry room.
  • There are tables in the laundry room.
  • All tables are suitable for wheelchair users (between 28in and 34in - 710mm and 860mm from the floor).
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Communal Bathroom with Accessibility Features (Floor 1 - Male - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located in the male restroom on floor 1, to the right of the main entrance.
    • The bathroom surveyed is approximately 17yd 1ft (16m) from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route to the bathroom has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the bathroom.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the bathroom door.
    • The door into the bathroom opens inwards and has a medium visual contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The door has no handle.
    • The width of the door opening is 2ft 9in (84cm).
  • Toilet with Accessibility Features View
    • There is 1 toilet stall with accessibility features.
    • The door into the stall surveyed opens outwards and has a low visual contrast with the surrounding walls.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door has a pull handle.
    • The width of the stall door opening is 2ft 11in (90cm).
    • The door has a sliding bolt lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • The overall dimensions are 5ft 5in x 4ft 12in (165cm x 152cm).
    • The turning space dimensions are 5ft 5in x 3ft 11in (165cm x 120cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left of the toilet as you look at it.
    • The lateral transfer space is 3ft 3in (99cm) (from the side of the toilet bowl to the wall).
    • There is a lever 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 varying visual contrasts with the surrounding walls.
    • The toilet seat is 1ft 7in (48cm) 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 7in (47cm) from the floor.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 3ft 10in (118cm) from the floor.
    • The stall has no disposal facilities.
  • Bathroom Features and Facilities View
    • The sink is 2ft 10in (86cm) from the floor.
    • The area underneath the sink is unobstructed .
    • The sink faucet type is lever-style mixer.
    • There is a wall-mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 3ft 10in (118cm) from the floor.
    • There is a wall-mounted paper towel dispenser.
    • The paper towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The paper towel dispenser is 3ft 6in (107cm) from the floor.
    • 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.
    • Vanity counter top space is provided.
    • 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 bathroom has a wastebasket.
    • There is a medium visual contrast between the walls and floor.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Shower Facilities View
    • The bathroom has a shower stall.
    • There is 1 shower stall with accessibility features.
    • The shower has a curtain.
    • The shower does not have sufficient turning space for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a height adjustable shower spray.
    • The shower faucet type is lever-style mixer.
    • There is no shower seat available.
    • The shower has a horizontal grab bar and vertical grab bars.
    • The horizontal grab bar has a high visual contrast with the surrounding walls.
    • The vertical grab bars have a high visual contrast with the surrounding walls.