Basingstoke Discovery Centre – Accessibility Design

Basingstoke library is one of Hampshire’s busiest libraries and is situated on the first floor of the Festival Place shopping complex in the centre of Basingstoke. In 2010 the main library was transformed into Hampshire’s third Discovery Centre. The completed project has been well received and supported by the local community.

The vibrancy of the design with its new colour schemes and attractive, functional signage has improved surface contrast and way-finding for visitors. Accessibility has been improved by remodelling the ground floor entrance and creating a new staircase route to first floor.

The lift car has been replaced and can now accommodate larger wheelchairs and be used for evacuating disabled persons in the event of a fire. Key items of fixed furniture and IT equipment have been replaced e.g.: the help desk and self service check in/out system, making these wheelchair accessible. Induction loop systems have been installed to the reception desk and meeting rooms and a new accessible toilet has been installed where there was previously none.

Most exciting has been the inclusion of including Hampshire’s first Changing Place, a specialised facility for people with profound and multiple learning and physical difficulties. As a consequence, users can now prolong their visitor experience to both the Discovery Centre and Festival Place as they no longer have to cut short their trip to town if they are inconvenienced.

These access improvements have enabled a number of services to be delivered, including sensory clinics for people with sight or hearing impairment, tailored learning programmes for adults with learning difficulties and a base for adult services to run support groups from.