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Palmer Hall

Swarthmore College, 116 S. 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 varying degrees of gradient.
  • Palmer Hall has 3 entrances. 1 entrance provides step-free access via a ramp, which bypasses the steps (rear entrance). This entrance has an automatic first door and a manual second door.
  • The rear entrance is unsigned and the other entrances are signed as PA-1 and PA-2.
  • The rear entrance gives direct access to the living room on the first floor, from which there is then step-free level access inside the building to the rest of the first floor.
  • Entrances PA-1 and PA-2 both have stepped access, via a single manual door.
  • On the first floor, there is a link passage by the rear entrance which connects Palmer Hall with Pittenger Hall.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout each floor of the building; however access to the basement, second and third floors is via stairway only - there is no elevator.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes consist of carpet, some of which is patterned and deep pile.
    The only exception is some shiny vinyl flooring on the portion of Stair 3 between the first and basement floors.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • There is some wayfinding signage provided in circulation routes and lobby areas to assist people in finding their way around.

Restrooms and Changing Facilities Available

  • Multiple-stall Restrooms with Accessibility Features View
    • The multiple-stall restroom with accessibility features is located within the standard gender inclusive restrooms on the first floor, to the left as you pass through the third set of doors at the rear entrance.
    • The multiple-stall restroom with accessibility features has a left hand transfer space.
  • Standard Restrooms View
    • Step-free gender inclusive restrooms are located on the first floor, to the left as you pass through the third set of doors at the rear entrance, and on the second and third floors, to the right as you exit Stair 3.
  • Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities with accessibility features are located within the standard gender inclusive restrooms on the first floor, to the left as you pass through the third set of doors at the rear entrance.
    • Standard shower facilities are located on the second and third floors, within the standard gender inclusive restrooms.

Entrance (Rear Entrance)

  • This entrance is located to the rear of the building, opposite the PPR Apartments.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a gradient of 1:10.
  • There is a step-free level resting area.
  • The width of the ramp is 4ft 7in (140cm).
  • The ramp has handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 9 steps.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The height of the handrails is 3ft (92cm).
  • 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 6in (14cm).
  • The minimum tread depth is 1ft 3in (37cm).
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess that provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 3ft 7in (108cm).
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • There is a push plate/sensor at a height of 3ft (92cm).
  • The width of the opening is 2ft 6in (77cm).
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second single manual door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The door has a lever handle.
  • The width of the opening is 2ft 9in (83cm).
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is an additional key fob/card reader on the second set of doors, at a height of 44in (112cm).
    There is then a third set of doors beyond the second set of doors, which is a single, manual door that opens towards you (pull) to a width of 33in (84cm).
  • There is step-free level access as you enter the entrance.

Stairway (Stair 3)

  • The stairway surveyed is located to the rear of the building, to the left as you pass through the third set of doors at the rear entrance.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairway are the basement, first, second and third floor.
  • There are 20 steps between floors.
  • There is a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is not easy to grip.
  • The height of the handrail is 2ft 9in (83cm).
  • 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 steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the highest step is 8in (20cm).
  • The minimum tread depth is 10in (26cm).
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Kitchen

  • The kitchen is located to the left as you enter the living room via the third set of doors at the rear entrance.
  • The most accessible route to the kitchen has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access to enter.
  • There is a single manual door to enter the kitchen.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The door has no handle.
  • The width of the opening is 2ft 9in (83cm).
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to maneuver (60in x 60in - 1525mm x 1525mm).
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The work surface is at a height of 2ft 9in (85cm).
  • Overhead and under counter cupboards are available.
  • The cooktop is at a height of 3ft 1in (93cm).
  • The cooktop controls are located at the front.
  • The stove controls and door opening handle are within 15in - 48in (380mm - 1220mm) from the floor.
  • The stove controls are located at the front.
  • The sink is at a height of 2ft 10in (86cm).
  • 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 and the freezer.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the presence of large glass panels/windows.
  • There is a clear knee recess of 25in (66cm) under the sink.

Lounge

  • The room surveyed is located immediately ahead as you enter through the third set of doors at the rear entrance (you enter immediately into the room).
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access to enter.
  • 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 patterned.
  • 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, armchairs, couches and stools in this room.
  • There are tables and dining tables in this room.
  • All tables are suitable for wheelchair users (between 28in and 34in - 710mm and 860mm from the floor).
  • Additional facilities/services include: a flashing fire alarm, a television with subtitles and a play area.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Laundry Room

  • The laundry room is located on the basement floor, immediately to the right at the bottom of Stair 3.
  • The most accessible route to the laundry room has narrow corridors/walkways and narrow doorways/openings.
  • There is step-free level access to enter.
  • There is an opening without doors to enter the laundry room.
  • The width of the opening is 2ft 3in (68cm).
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is not space for a wheelchair user to maneuver (60in x 60in - 1525mm x 1525mm).
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Facilities within the laundry room include a washer and a dryer.
  • The following machines are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user (between 15in - 48in (380mm - 1220mm) from the floor): the washer and the dryer.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

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

  • Location and Access View
    • The bathroom surveyed is located on the first floor, to the left as you pass through the third set of doors at the rear entrance.
    • The bathroom surveyed is approximately 9yd 2ft (9m) from the rear entrance (third set of doors).
    • The most accessible route to the bathroom has step-free level access, narrow corridors/walkways and narrow doorways/openings.
    • There is step-free level access into the bathroom.
    • There is 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 is easy to open.
    • The door has no handle.
    • The width of the door opening is 2ft 7in (80cm).
  • 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 7in (80cm).
    • The door has a sliding bolt lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • The overall dimensions are 7ft 9in x 5ft (235cm x 153cm).
    • The turning space dimensions are 7ft 9in x 2ft 7in (235cm x 78cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left of the toilet as you look at it.
    • The lateral transfer space is 5ft 10in (178cm) (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 a high visual contrast with the surrounding walls.
    • There is a vertical grab bar on the side wall.
    • The vertical grab bar has a high visual contrast 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 9in (53cm) from the floor.
    • There are two coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 3ft 10in and 5ft 4in (117cm and 162cm) from the floor.
    • The stall has a sanitary products receptacle.
  • Bathroom Features and Facilities View
    • The sink is 2ft 9in (85cm) 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 6in (107cm) 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 10in (116cm) from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • 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 varying 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 a fold-down shower seat.
    • The shower controls/faucets are reachable when seated.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left of the shower seat as you look at it.
    • The shower has a horizontal grab bar and a vertical grab bar.
    • The horizontal grab bar has a high visual contrast with the surrounding walls.
    • The vertical grab bar has a high visual contrast with the surrounding walls.