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Sharples Commons

Swarthmore College, 11/13 Sharples Lane, Swarthmore, PA, 19081

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Access Guide

About

  • There is a campus parking lot available.
  • The name of the nearest parking lot is Sharples Lane.
  • View information on Swarthmore College Parking Lots (opens new tab) .
  • Student permit parking is available in the Cunningham South Lot. View information on parking on campus
    The nearest parking lot containing visitor parking spaces is Field House Lot. View information on visitor parking.
  • Sharples Commons is a large building with 2 floors. Sharples Commons is a dynamic campus hub with an array of inclusive social and community spaces for students, faculty, and staff members. In addition to the dining area, there is a dedicated student meeting space, lounge, game room, and storage space. Sharples Commons is also home to the Office of Student Engagement.
  • There is 1 elevator and 1 stairway within the building that is split into 2 separate stairways.
  • The floor names are signed as Floor 1 and Floor 2.
  • The Dining Center is located to the rear of the building and spreads over 2 floors.

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via slopes with varying degrees of gradient.
    The approach to the front of the building from Magill Walk to the accessible entrance is step-free via downwards slope with a gradient of 11.1%.
    The slope has uneven surfaces and posts at the end which are 192cm wide.
    The approach to the building from Sharples Lane is step-free via slope with a gradient of 5.3%.
    The approach to the rear of the building next to Sharples Dining Center is step-free via ramp with handrails on both sides.
    The width of the ramp is 193cm and the gradient is 9.3%.
  • There is step-free level access to all areas of the building via elevator.
  • Sharples Commons has 4 entrances, 3 entrances have automatic doors activated by push pad and 1 entrance has manual doors.
    All entrances provide step-free access into the building.
  • There is no distinguishing signage between the entrances.
  • The accessible entrance is located at the front of the building and provides step-free level access to the reception area, student commons, restrooms and elevator on Floor 2.
    The elevator can be used to access the areas on Floor 1 of the building step-free.
  • There are 2 sets of double manual doors to the left of the accessible entrance surveyed that give step-free access to Floor 2 of Sharples Commons.
    There are 2 sets of double automatic doors that are push pad activated that give step-free access via slope to the games room on Floor 1 of the building.
    The gradient of the slope is 1.4%.
    The rear entrance has 2 sets of double automatic doors that are push pad activated and give step-free access via ramp to The Kemp Family Commons area on Floor 1 of the building.
    The gradient of the ramp is 0.5%.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access via elevator to all areas of the building.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish. Some areas of the building are also carpeted.
  • There are plenty of resting areas throughout both floors of the building with a mixture of seating available.
  • There is limited wayfinding signage available.

Restrooms and Changing Facilities Available

  • Single-occupant Restrooms with Accessibility Features View
    • There are 2 single-occupant restrooms with accessibility features.
    • The single-occupant restrooms with accessibility features are located on Floor 2 of the building, on either side of the main entrance foyer.
    • All single-occupant restrooms with accessibility features have a right hand transfer space.
  • Multiple-stall Restrooms with Accessibility Features View
    • The multiple-stall restrooms with accessibility features are located on Floor 1 of the building, within the OSE lounge.
    • The transfer space within the multiple-stall restrooms with accessibility features varies between left hand transfer and right hand transfer.
    • There is 1 additional ambulant stall within the standard stalls.
  • Standard Restrooms View
    • Step-free gender inclusive restrooms are located on Floor 1 of the building, within the OSE lounge.
  • Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the restrooms with accessibility features on Floor 2 of the building.

Rooms and Services Available

Entrance (Accessible Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the Sharples Commons and Dining Center building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • 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 are double automatic doors at this entrance; however, one door is locked.
  • The locked door can be opened on request .
  • The doors open towards you.
  • There is a push plate/sensor at a height of 3ft 4in (102cm).
  • The doors have pull handles.
  • The width of the opening is 2ft 9in (85cm).
  • There is a squared threshold (more than 1/2in) at the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • The height of the push pad to exit the first set of doors is 3ft 4in (103cm).
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors; however, one door is locked.
  • The locked door can be opened on request .
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • There is a push plate/sensor at a height of 3ft 2in (97cm).
  • The doors have pull handles.
  • The width of the opening is 2ft 9in (83cm).
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a key card reader at the second set of doors which is 3ft 8in (117cm) high.
    There is an additional push pad to exit the second set of doors which is 3ft 3in (102cm) high.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter the entrance.
  • This entrance gives access to Floor 2 of the building.

Lobby

  • The lobby is located on Floor 2 of the building, to the left as you enter via the accessible entrance.
  • The lobby is approximately 8yd 2ft (8m) from the accessible entrance.
  • The most accessible route to the lobby has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access to the desk.
  • The height of the desk is 3ft 7in (108cm).
  • The lowered section of the desk is at a height of 2ft 11in (88cm).
  • The desk has a television that may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • 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 and unshaded light sources.
  • There is space for a wheelchair user to maneuver (60in x 60in - 1525mm x 1525mm).
  • There are wide chairs without armrests in this area.
  • There are coffee tables in this area.
  • The tables may not be suitable for wheelchair users (between 28in and 34in - 710mm and 860mm from the floor).

Elevator

  • The elevator is located to the right as you enter via the accessible entrance.
  • The elevator surveyed is approximately 7yd 1ft (7m) from the accessible entrance.
  • The most accessible route to the elevator has step-free level access.
  • The floors which are accessible by this elevator are Floor 1 and Floor 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 2500 lb.
  • The elevator door has a high visual contrast.
  • The elevator door opening width is 3ft (92cm).
  • The internal dimensions of the elevator are 5ft 3in width x 5ft 5in depth (161cm x 165cm).
  • 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 and unshaded light sources.

Stairway

  • The stairway surveyed is located immediately ahead as you enter via the accessible entrance.
  • 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 5in (103cm).
  • The handrails do not 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 (16cm).
  • The minimum tread depth is 1ft (31cm).
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The stairway splits into 2 separate identical stairways after the first flight of stairs.

Restroom with Accessibility Features (Floor 2 - Gender Inclusive - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The restroom surveyed is a single-occupant restroom.
    • The restroom surveyed is located on Floor 2 of the building, to the right as you enter via the accessible entrance.
    • The restroom surveyed is approximately 29ft (9m) from the accessible 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 door into the restroom opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The door has a lever handle.
    • The width of the restroom door opening is 2ft 8in (83cm).
    • The door has a push button lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The overall dimensions are 8ft 2in x 10ft 3in (250cm x 314cm).
    • The turning space dimensions are 8ft 2in x 8ft 1in (250cm x 248cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right of the toilet as you look at it; however, it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 3ft 7in (110cm) (from the side of the toilet bowl to the wall).
    • There is a push button flush for the toilet.
    • 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 6in (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 (50cm) from the floor.
    • The sink is 2ft 9in (85cm) 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 3ft 1in (96cm) 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 10in and 3ft 11in (117cm and 120cm) from the floor.
    • The baby changing station when in use is at a height of 2ft 11in (90cm) from the floor.
    • The baby changing station does not obstruct the turning space.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.