ACCESS CODES (building accessibility for people of various abilities)

This is the Access Codes elaborated by Sisters Against Disablement. It includes a number of items that are used to describe at best the accessibility of 195 Mare st building where the London FreeSchool is happening. If you have any comment, don’t hesitate to contact us! Londonfreeschool at riseup.net (replace the at by @)

1. PARKING:
There is not much parking space in the vicinity of the building.

2. PUBLIC TRANSPORT:

Nearest bus: 254,236, 106, 277, D6 (Closest bus stop: St.Thomas’s Square – 130m). Route 26, 48, 55 (Closest bus stop: Mare Street / Well Street – 150m)

Tube station: nearest is Bethnal Green rd but its pretty far away (1.5km)
Rail Station: Hackney Central (700m), Hackney downs (1km), Bethnal Green (2km)

3. ENTRANCES:
The front gate is on the street, with a little step where a board can be put. then a 4 step stairs with a ramp on the side for the front door.

4. DOORS:
Front door : opens inward. 117cm. Heavy

Arch between the entrance hall and the rest of the ground floor: 135cm wide

Toilets: main door open inward. 70cm. Light. leads to a small entrance bit of 120cm by 120cm with another door 73cm (although the door itself is not here, its only the door frame). The door of the toilets cubicle are 54cm wide, light.

5. INSIDE BUILDING:
In terms of accessibility, there is a ramp at the front for the steps. the layout for the use of the building the week end is the following:

– Workshop Space 1 and 2, Bar and chill out space will be on the ground floor with no steps between them.

– Workshop Space 3 and 4 will be in the basement (narrow and not very nice stairs).

– The Movie Space and the kids space will be on the ground floor but with few steps separating them from each other and from the Workshop spaces 1 and 2.

– Toilets are not wheelchair friendly, but we will try to improve them and welcome suggestions and guidance.

no handrail.

6. LIFT:
No Lift

7. TOILETS:
Toilets entrance = 73cm. No actual door (just a curtain). Washbasin. no rails

8. DIMENSIONS OF PREMISES:
The ground floor is pretty big: entrance hall of 50m^2,, workshop space 1 = 40m², workshop space 2 = 100m², a big hall with Bar and Chill out area = 100m² , another hall bit at a lower level (with 4 steps) = 100m² , then some more steps leading to a stage of 40m^2.. Two rooms in the basement will be used: workshop space 3 is small 10m² , Workshop space 4 = 20m² but will probably be quite messy with bike and welding stuff.

9. FLOOR SURFACES:
Wood boards partially covered with carpet. Most parts are ok. But there are few bits where the floor is not good/stable. We’re trying to cover or make notice signs for these bits.

10. LIGHTING:
Depending on the area. Can be quite dark, but it is flexible (movable lamps)

11. SEATING:
All sorts: mainly chairs, stools (high), armchair, sofas, pillows…

12. HEATING:
The building is big and not well insulated, so quite cold.

13. PARTICIPATION:
Generally no sign language interpreters; no braille; no finger spelling; no lip-speakers…

14. HELPERS:
We can meet you at the gate or bus stops to offer help anytime.

15. CRECHE:
There will be a kids space organised. Dont hesitate to contact us for any requirement.

16. FOOD AND DRINK:
Hot drinks will be available throughout the week end. Food available occasionally. The food provided for the space users is generally vegan (although some residents are vegan, some are vegetarian and some are omnivorous).

17. SMOKING:
Depends on the event, smoking not allowed during the London FreeSchool.

18. STRUCTURE OF ACTIVITIES:
The workshop sessions will be generally 1.30h long. This include a workshop of an hour, then a short debrief, and maybe some time to relax before the next session. Some workshops might be longer than that, check the schedule. Please allow some flexibility. There should also be a daily general debrief at the end of the day, and a social on sunday evening.

The space is animal friendly, but be aware that there is already a male dog in the house.