As EB822, 823, 824 and 828 have the same furniture and equipment set up in the same way, I decided I only needed to observe one room. As EB823 was unoccupied, I chose this to be the room I observed for my intervention.
According to Barham, Greenshields and Mitchell, J (2020:18) The average width of an occupied wheelchair is between 700mm-755mm. However it suggests an extra 100mm either side for the users hands and elbows. The doors to EB822, 823 and 824 are 820mm wide. This is a potential barrier as it is in the lower suggested with to be an inclusive door.
I walked around EB823 as this was unoccupied by a class. On entering through the doorway, the second barrier I encountered was space between the chairs back to back. With the chairs unoccupied, there is not enough space for a wheelchair to access.
I asked 3 of my colleagues to assist me at this point. I asked 2 to sit on opposite machines in a position that they felt comfortable to use it. I then measure the space between their chairs while my third colleague took the photo.
The distance between them was 520mm
I then asked my same colleagues to sit on the stalls at the pattern cutting tables back to back to measure the space in between them.
The distance between them on the stalls is 560mm.
As I continue around the room my focused moved to the pattern cutting tables. My first observation was how high these are. Abled bodied students are expected to stand while drafting patterns, or sit on a high stool. There is also a shelf under the tables which would stop a wheelchair from fitting under the table. This is the third barrier I have encountered.
The fourth barrier I encountered in the room were the lockstitch sewing machines and Overlockers. These are all used by pressing down on the foot pedal with your feet. If a student is unable to do this, the machine is unusable. The machines are height adjustable and a wheelchair can fit close to it.
The alternatives to using the industrial machines is to use one of the domestic machines we have which have a pedal free option, however the only tables in the rooms are the pattern cutting tables which are too high. The students would have to use the lower tables in IT open access outside EB823 to use the domestic machines.
References.
Barham, P. Greenshields, S. Mitchell, J. (2020) CLIENT PROJECT REPORT CPR2714 Accessible Public Realm: Updating
Guidance and Further Research Technical Annex 2: A review of the dimensions of wheeled mobility aids (RQ2) Available at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e4d412986650c10e4580eb5/accessible-public-realm-annex-2-review-of-the-dimensions-of-wheeled-mobility-aids.pdf Accessed 21th November 2023.
Masters, S. (21/11/23)Door to EB 823
Masters, S. (21/11/23) Door width
Masters, S. (21/11/23) Occupied machines
Masters, S. (21/11/23) Distances between chairs
Masters, S. (21/11/23) Distance between stalls
Masters, S. (21/11/23) Pattern cutting table height EB823
Masters, S. (21/11/23) Overlock machine E823