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)

Contact:

• email: vi.team@doncaster.gov.uk
• Tel: 01302 734838