Checklist for school accessibility

A checklist for schools to follow for accessibility regarding access to site, entrance, reception, corridors, cloakrooms, classrooms, toilets, dining rooms and outside areas.

Access to site

  • Disabled parking signposted at car park entrance
  • Disabled parking space(s)
  • Dropped kerb to pavement with appropriate textured paving
  • High contrast signage to the entrance.
  • Adequate lighting along pathway
  • Walkways should be evenly paved and in good condition
  • Clear of overhanging trees or windows opening onto the pathways
  • All stepped areas accessible by ramp with tactile surface at top and bottom
  • Appropriate handrails starting before the first step and finishing after the Last.
  • Edges of steps/stairs highlighted

Entrance

  • Height of entrance bell clearly visible and contrasting with surrounding areas
  • Entrance mats etc. flush with floor no tripping hazard
  • Area well lit
  • Clear signage

Reception

  • Provide a Lighting Transition Zone out of the main traffic area where a visually impaired person can adjust to the different light levels when entering a building
  • Clear of obstacles or clutter
  • Glazing should be clearly marked by banding or frosting to indicate its presence

Corridors

  • Plain no glare, non slippery flooring
  • Adequate lighting, not pooling
  • Corridors should be free of clutter, both floors and walls
  • Doors painted in a colour that contrasts with their frame and surroundings
  • Door furniture in a different colour to the door
  • Clear and tactile signage to classrooms fitted to the outside wall, not the door
  • Displays at eye level, tactile if possible
  • Raised areas/ steps, which protrude into an open space creating a tripping hazard, require highlighting both the tread and riser need to be clearly indicated

Cloakrooms

  • Coat hooks a good size and contrasting colour   

Classrooms

  • Natural light needs to be controllable and adjustable i.e. vertical blinds
  • Diffusers should be fitted to all artificial lighting and cleaned regularly. Any faltering/flickering light bulbs should be replaced as soon as possible
  • Light switches, plug sockets and door handles need to be highlighted to be easily identifiable from a pale background
  • Walls painted in a matt finish
  • Furniture clearly contrasting with walls and floors
  • Glare from tabletops
  • Clearly defined and labelled equipment, shelves and storage to encourage independence
  • White/blackboard cleaned regularly
  • Clear of unused furniture and clutter

Toilets

  • Clear and tactile signage
  • Access to a disabled toilet
  • Sanitary ware must contrast in colour with the walls and floor
  • Logically placed hand dryer and bin

Dining Hall

  • Knives and forks should be stacked with their sharp ends downward or flat to reduce the risk of injury and to prevent those with a visual impairment from handling cutlery belonging to others
  • Cover or guard any unusually hot surfaces to prevent them from being touched accidentally

Outside areas

  • External posts highlighted with a band of contrasting colour
  • Railings and boundary fences kept in good condition and painted in a bright colour
  • Paint signs and directional markings on walls
  • All steps should have a tactile surface of raised ribs set parallel to the top step nosings (according to Part M of the Building Regulations) and the bottom (preferred guidance)

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Last updated: 18 May 2018 13:34:54

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