Access Guide
About
- There is a campus parking lot available.
- The name of the nearest parking lot is Whittier Lot.
- 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
View information on visitor parking. - West House is a small rectangular building with 3 floors.
- There are 2 stairways within the building. There is no elevator.
- The floor names are signed as 1, 2 and 3.
Getting Inside
- The approach to the building is step-free and level (via slopes with a grade of less than 5%).
- There is step-free level access to the first floor of the building, once inside.
There is no elevator; access to the second and third floors is via stairway only. - West House has 3 entrances.
The front door provides stepped access via 2 sets of manual doors. - The entrances are not differentiated by name for this building.
- The front door gives direct access to the first floor of the building.
There is then step-free level access through the first floor to the stairway, which gives access to the second and third floors (there is no elevator). - The kitchen door is located to the rear left of the building, and provides stepped access to the first floor via 2 steps and 2 sets of single, manual doors - entering the building via the kitchen.
The back door is located to the rear of the building, and provides stepped access to the first floor via 1 step and 2 sets of single, manual doors - entering the building via the rear end of the hallway.
In both cases, there are steep slopes, narrow pathways and uneven surfaces on the approach to these entrances, which involves taking the pathway leading around to the rear of the building.
Getting Around
- Once inside, there is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors; however, access to the second and third floors is via stairway only - there is no elevator.
- Floor surfaces along circulation routes consist of shiny wooden flooring on the first floor (with rugs covering parts of the floor in places), and carpet on the second and third floors.
- There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas throughout the building with a mixture of seating.
- There is not wayfinding or floor plan signage provided in the building; however each room on the second and third floor has signage on or near the door.
- There is not a designated safe or quiet space.
Restrooms and Changing Facilities Available
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Standard Restrooms
View
- Step-free unisex restrooms are located on the first floor, immediately to the left as you enter the building via the front door; on the second floor, immediately to the left at the top of the main stairway; and on the third floor, to the right and along the corridor at the top of the main stairway.
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Shower Facilities
View
- Standard shower facilities are located within the standard shared restroom on the second floor (over bath), and within the standard shared restroom on the third floor (in cubicle).
- The height of the side of the bath on the second floor is 34cm, and there is a 12cm-high step to access the shower cubicle on the third floor.
Entrance (Front Door)
- This entrance is located at the front of the building, off Elm Avenue.
- There is stepped access at the entrance.
- There is 1 step.
- There are no handrails.
- The step is unmarked.
- The height of the highest step is 6in (14cm).
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is not a canopy or recess that provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is a bell at a height of 4ft 2in (128cm).
- There is a key lock at a height of 3ft 3in (98cm).
- There is a single manual door at this entrance.
- The door opens towards you.
- The door requires effort to open.
- The door has a pull handle.
- The width of the opening is 3ft 5in (105cm).
- There is a squared threshold (more than 1/2in) at the opening.
- The door has a low visual contrast.
- There is a second single manual door.
- The second door opens away from you.
- The door is easy to open.
- The door has a dummy handle.
- The width of the opening is 3ft 5in (104cm).
- There is a squared threshold (more than 1/2in) at the opening.
- The door has a high visual contrast.
- There is stepped access as you enter the entrance.
- There are 2 steps.
- There is a handrail on the right going up.
- The handrail is easy to grip.
- The height of the handrail is 2ft 9in (83cm).
- The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The height of the highest step is 7in (19cm).
- The minimum tread depth is 11in (28cm).
Stairway (Main Stairway)
- The stairway surveyed is located straight ahead and to your right as you enter via the front door.
- The floors which are accessible by stairway are 1, 2 and 3.
- There are 16 steps between floors.
- There is a handrail on the right going up.
- The handrail is not easy to grip.
- The height of the handrail is 2ft 8in (82cm).
- The handrail covers 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 7in (18cm).
- The minimum tread depth is 11in (27cm).
- Lighting levels vary due to the presence of large glass panels/windows.
- Lighting levels are adjustable.
Standard Restrooms (First Floor)
- The unisex standard restrooms were surveyed.
- The restroom is located on the first floor, immediately to the left as you enter the building via the front door.
- The distance from the front door is 3yd 10in (3m).
- The most accessible route has step-free level access, narrow corridors/walkways and narrow doorways/openings.
- There is step-free level access to enter the restroom.
- There is no signage on or near the restrooms.
- The door into the restroom opens inwards and has a low visual contrast.
- The door is easy to open.
- The door has a doorknob.
- The width of the restroom door opening is 1ft 12in (60cm).
- There is a sink and a wall mounted soap dispenser available.
- The sink faucet type is lever-style mixer.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.