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Special Assistance Arrivals Area

Stansted Airport, Bassingbourn Road, Essex, CM24 1QW

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Access Guide

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Accessible Mini Bus and Ambulift

  • Stansted Airport provide a range of accessible transport, including mini buses and Ambulift vehicles.
  • An Ambulift is used to board and disembark passengers who need full assistance.
  • The Ambulift can be used to collect passengers from the Departure Gate Piers or drop off at the arrivals entrance.
  • Mini buses can used to transport passengers with mobility restrictions from the Departure Gate piers to aircraft or from the aircraft to the arrivals entrance.
  • Passengers using the mini bus can board or disembark the aircraft using the Ambulift or the aircraft steps.

Pick up and Drop Off Points (Special Assistance Arrivals - Drop Off Point)

  • There is a/are clearly marked drop off point(s) available.
  • The drop-off point(s) is/are located in front of the Special Assistance entrance.
  • The route from the drop off point(s) to the check in hall/departure lounge is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
  • Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
  • There is no tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the drop off point(s) and the check in hall/departures lounge.
  • The route from the arrivals lounge to the pick up point(s) is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.

Outside Access (Special Assistance Arrivals)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
  • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
  • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The width of the door opening is 117cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • The ramp/slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.

Reception (Special Assistance Arrivals)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located ahead as you enter.
    • The reception point is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Special Assistance Arrivals entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The counter is placed in front of a plain background.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are moderate to good.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • The type of system is a portable loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is signed.
    • Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is vinyl.
  • Reception Seating Area View
    • There is a seating area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the seating area is unobstructed.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the seating area.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Reception Area)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left of the reception area.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the Special Assistance Arrival entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 280cm (4ft 11in x 9ft 2in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has a non-slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a waste bin.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 107cm and 141cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
    • The shelf has the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
    • The shelf is at a height of 95cm.
    • The shelf is not located where it is reachable.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 49cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 101cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ambulant - Reception Area)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s) View
    • The shared toilets that were surveyed are located on the left of the reception area.
    • The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Special Assistance Arrivals entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the shared toilet(s).
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall-mounted grab rails is available.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail to the left of the seat and vertical one to the right.
    • There is a lowered wash basin.
    • The height of the lowered wash basin is 74cm.
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the lowered wash basin.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are good.

Lift (Special Assistance Arrivals Lift)

  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 150cm (4ft 11in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are low to moderate.
  • Comments View
    • There is a clearly signed route from the lift to passport control.

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