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Wharton Hall

Swarthmore College, 1 Parrish Hall Road, Swarthmore, PA, 19081

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Access Guide

About

Getting Inside

  • The front of the building can be accessed step-free from the parking lot at the rear via a long slope leading around the side of the building between this and the Hormel-Nguyen Intercultural Center.
    Access from the path leading by the tennis courts and also from the bridge over the rail line from the South part of the campus is via either 18 steps or a combination of a slope of 6.5% and 9 or 10 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • There is not step-free access into the main parts of this building.
  • There are 6 entrances to the main residential areas, located off the courtyard at the front of the building.
    There are also 3 entrances at the rear of the building leading to the C, D and E basements.
    Only the entrances to Wharton B and E basement are step-free.
    The basement in B is used for storage, and E contains bike storage, the laundry and vending machines.
  • The main residential entrances are signed as Wharton A, B, C, D, E, and F. The entrances to the basements are not signed.
  • The most accessible residence entrance is Wharton F, which has a ramp to overcome the 2 steps at the entrance. There are a further 3 steps inside between the 2 sets of doors.
  • The other residence entrances all have 2 steps outside and 3 steps between the 2 sets on doors.
    Entrances for C and D have separate doors leading down to the basements.
    There are doors leading to the basements just inside B and E entrances.
    Access to the basements from these entrances is via steps.

Getting Around

  • All floors have step-free access once inside, but the only access between the floors is vis the stairways.
    The floors are signed as 1, 2 and 3.
    There are also basement areas in A, B, C, D and E.
    There are 9 stairways in the building.
  • The corridors on each floor are carpeted.
    The rooms and the stairways and entrances have a hard, non-shiny surface.
  • On each floor for each part of the building there are social areas with dining tables with seats without armrests, high tables with stools, plus sofas and arm chairs. There are also fridge freezers and microwave ovens in these areas.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided within the building. However, each room and facility is clearly signed on the door.
  • There is not a designated safe or quiet space.

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 In the basement areas of entrances C and D.
    • The transfer space within the single-occupant restrooms with accessibility features varies between left hand transfer and right hand transfer.
    • The restrooms in the basement of entrance D are for staff only.
  • Standard Restrooms View
    • Step-free male and female restrooms are located on each floor.
  • Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located in the bathrooms on each floor.
    • There are bathrooms with standard showers on each floor for entrances A and B, C and D and E and F.

Parking

  • Parking View
    • The parking lot is located at the rear of the building.
    • The parking lot is open air/surface.
    • The surface consists of asphalt.
  • Accessible Parking Spaces View
    • There is 1 designated accessible parking space available.
    • The accessible parking space is clearly marked.
    • The accessible parking space width is 8ft 8in (265cm).
    • There is an adjacent marked access aisle to one side.
    • The width of the adjacent marked access aisle is 8ft 4in (255cm).
    • The adjacent marked access aisle extends the full length of the parking space.
    • The nearest designated accessible parking space is 136yd 2ft (125m) from Wharton F Entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the designated accessible parking has ramps/slopes.
    • The slope has a gradient of 1:7.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for ADA placard holders or those with a wheelchair symbol license plate.
    • Parking charges/restriction signs are not provided.
  • Passenger Loading Zone View
    • There is not a designated passenger loading zone available.

Entrance (Wharton F Entrance)

  • This entrance is located on the far right hand side of the courtyard in front of the building.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a gradient of 1:17.
  • There is not a step-free level resting area.
  • The width of the ramp is 5ft (153cm).
  • The ramp has no handrails.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 2 steps.
  • There are no handrails.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the highest step is 8in (20cm).
  • The minimum tread depth is 12in (30cm).
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess that provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • 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 2ft 12in (91cm).
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second single manual door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The door has a lever handle.
  • The width of the opening is 2ft 4in (71cm).
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is stepped access as you enter the entrance.
  • There are 3 steps.
  • There are no handrails.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the highest step is 8in (20cm).
  • The minimum tread depth is 11in (27cm).
  • The internal steps are between the 2 sets of doors. Staircase 9 is also between the 2 sets of doors.

Stairway (Stair 9)

  • The stairway surveyed is located between the 2 sets of doors at Wharton F entrance.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairway are floors 1, 2 and 3.
  • There are 17 steps between floors.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The height of the handrails is 2ft 9in (83cm).
  • 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 steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the highest step is 7in (17cm).
  • The minimum tread depth is 10in (26cm).
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Kitchen

  • The kitchen is located in the basement of Wharton A.
  • The most accessible route to the kitchen has steps.
  • There is stepped access to enter.
  • There are 14 steps.
  • There is a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The height of the handrail is 3ft 2in (97cm).
  • 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 8in (20cm).
  • The minimum tread depth is 10in (26cm).
  • There is a single manual door to enter the kitchen.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The door has a lever handle.
  • The width of the opening is 2ft 1in (63cm).
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • Overhead and under counter cupboards are available.
  • The cooktop controls are located at the back.
  • The stove controls are located at the back.
  • The sink faucet type is lever-style mixer.
  • Facilities within the kitchen include a refrigerator and a freezer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Laundry Room

  • The laundry room is located in the basement of Wharton E.
  • There is step-free access via ramp to enter.
  • The ramp has a gradient of 1:5.
  • There is not a step-free level resting area.
  • The width of the ramp is 4ft (122cm).
  • The ramp has no handrails.
  • There is a single manual door to enter the laundry room.
  • The door has a high 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 6in (76cm).
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • Facilities within the laundry room include a washer and a dryer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Restroom with Accessibility Features (Wharton C Basement - Shared - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The restroom surveyed is a single-occupant restroom.
    • The restroom surveyed is located in the student kitchen/social area in the basement of Wharton C.
    • The most accessible route to the restroom has steps.
    • There is step-free level access into the restroom.
    • There is no signage on or near the restroom door.
    • The door into the restroom opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The door has a lever handle.
    • The width of the restroom door opening is 2ft 9in (84cm).
    • The door has a push button lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The overall dimensions are 7ft 5in x 6ft 7in (227cm x 201cm).
    • The turning space dimensions are 4ft 1in x 6ft 1in (125cm x 186cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right of the toilet as you look at it.
    • The lateral transfer space is 3ft 2in (97cm) (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.
    • 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 (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 7in (47cm) from the floor.
    • The sink is 2ft 10in (87cm) from the floor.
    • The area underneath the sink is obstructed .
    • 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 7in (109cm) 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 7in (110cm) from the floor.
    • There is a mirror above the sink/counter top with its bottom edge within 40in (1000mm) maximum from the finish floor.
    • The stall has a wastebasket and a sanitary products receptacle.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 4ft (122cm) from the floor.
    • There is a low visual contrast between the walls and floor.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.