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Swift Creek Mill Theatre

Results from VisitAble's Accessibility Test

Section

Parking

Description of Section

This includes the number of accessible parking spaces, the labeling of the accessible parking spaces, and the accessibility of the accessible parking spaces.

Details

  • There is a parking area less than 25 feet from the main entrance with two total accessible spaces, one of which is labeled as van accessible, but it does not meet the requirements for the larger access aisle needed for a van accessible space.

  • The surface of the accessible parking spaces is asphalt, with a cross slope greater than two percent in some parts of both of the accessible spaces and access aisles.

  • There are also no tactile domes at the transition from the parking lot to the sidewalk, and the two surfaces are level with each other-having no curb or curb ramp.

  • Signage for both spaces is below 60 inches above the ground.

Section

Pathway to Entrance and Entrance

Description of Section

This includes the accessibility of the pathway from the accessible parking spaces to the entrance (including curb ramps, ground/floor surfaces, etc.) and the accessibility of the entrance itself (widths of doors, lips under doors, etc.).

Details

  • There are two brick pathways up to two different doors of the main theater building that are less than 25 feet from the parking lot.

  • Some of the brick is have a vertical change in height and/or has a cross-slope greater than two percent.

  • Seating is available on the front porch of the smaller box office building, slightly below an accessible height, with a backrest and armrests.

  • The box office building has a ramp and a staircase to access it, whichever is preferred.

  • The ramp has handrails on both sides, but only handrail extensions on the right side at the bottom of the ramp.

  • There is a large divot in the asphalt just before the bottom concrete landing for the ramp.

  • The stairs for the box office building also have handrails on both sides, but the extensions extend 12 inches at the bottom and only 8 to 9 inches past the last stair at the top of the stairs.

  • Maneuvering clearances at the two entrance doors of the main building and the box office building have less than 18 inches of clear space next to the door in order to pull it open.

  • The entrance into the box office building has a thirty-three inch clear width doorway, about a two inch threshold inside the door, and the door is fairly easy to open, with door hardware at an accessible height.

  • The two main entrance doors to the theater, both on the left side as you face the building, have slight thresholds, with the leftmost door having the lower threshold of about half an inch.

  • Both doors have a clear width of 32 inches and are fairly heavy, and have door hardware at an accessible height.

  • There is no signage to identify the entrances.

Section

Interior Pathways

Description of Section

This includes accessibility of different items in the location, pathways in the location, signage, cleanliness of pathways, how steep pathways are, presence of inaccessible areas, accessibility of doors not covered by other sections, accessibility of any complimentary water/refreshments/snacks, and the presence and accessibility of any seating.

Details

  • Once inside either building, the flooring surface is a mix of smooth wood flooring, tile, concrete, and compact, low profile carpet and entrance rugs.

  • Interior pathways are mostly 36 inches wide or greater, with a few exceptions around tables in the dining room and at doorways, which are typically 32 inches wide when chairs are tucked in.

  • Interior flooring transitions and thresholds are minimal except for the transition from the tile to the wood floor near the staircase in the main building.

  • There are some protruding objects in the main building that hang off the wall near the front desk area and the pathway that leads into the dining room, as well as the paper towel dispensers in the bathrooms when there are no trash cans underneath them.

  • There is plenty of seating throughout the theater and dining areas, most of which is at an accessible height, and the seats in the theater have armrests and backrests.

  • The theater has plenty of accessible seating, mostly in the front, with spaces available for wheelchairs and seats on the ends of rows where you can transition from a mobility device to a theater seat.

  • The path to the non-accessible seating involves taking a staircase with a handrail only on the right side.

  • The sloped paths down towards the front of the theater, next to the non-accessible seating are fairly steep.

  • The point of sale counters at the main entrance desk and at the back of the restaurant area are above an accessible height. There is an accessible height point of sale counter in the box office building.

  • The card readers are movable, and staff can assist with credit card purchases if needed.

  • There is some merchandise in the gift shop area that may be difficult to reach or heavy for some, but staff is able to assist if needed.

  • There is an elevator, with accessible features including tactile and braille next to each of the buttons on the inside, in the theater building which provides access to the main level and upper floor (the theater is accessed from the upper level), but not to the lower level, which serves as an event space.

  • There is a staircase which provides access to all three levels.

  • The stairs have handrails on both sides which are below an accessible height, and have limited to no handrail extensions.

  • The edge of each step has contrasting white markings to help delineate each one.

  • Signage is limited, generally, throughout. There is some directional signage directing visitors and patrons to the restrooms on the main level.

  • The site is fairly busy around showtimes.

  • There are quiet spaces available on the lower level of the main building, or the dining room if it’s past dinner, and outside on the front porch of the box office building, or at the bottom of the exit stairs from the theater. Ask staff for a more quiet, private space if needed.

  • Windows have shutters on the first floor of the main building, but nothing upstairs.

  • Blinds for the lower level of the box office building were being ordered at the time of our assessment.

  • There are infrared systems available as an adaptive listening system upon request for the theater, and we were told there are some showings that have sign language interpreters at them. We suggest reaching out to Swift Creek at (804) 748-5203 to learn more about these offerings.

Section

Bathrooms

Description of Section

This includes bathrooms being labeled as accessible, the width of bathroom and accessible stall doors, location of doors, height of door openers off the floor, weight of doors, presence of appropriate grab bars, the ability for a customer using a wheelchair to completely turn around in the bathroom/accessible stall, the height of the flush controls off the floor, the reachability of the sink/toilet paper/soap/drying equipment/lights, and the height of mirrors off the floor.

Details

  • Restrooms are generally accessible on the main floor of the theater building, with two gendered, multi-stall restrooms, one men’s and one women’s room with grab bars around the toilet.

  • The lower level also has accessible restrooms, but no stair free route to access them.

  • The signage is good for all restrooms, with braille and tactile signage.

  • The lights are not on an automatic sensor but the light switches are at an accessible height and the lights are often kept on all day during hours of operation.

  • The sinks in the restroom are at an accessible height.

  • The soap and paper towel dispensers are not automatic, but the buttons and controls are at an accessible height.

  • The two restrooms on the main level have a paper towel dispenser and a trashcan blocking the right side sinks.

  • The accessible stalls are spacious, but there are only door pulls on the outside of the stall doors, and most of the accessible stall doors are not self closing.

  • The hooks on the back of the stall doors are above 60 inches above the floor.

Section

Amenities

Description of Section

This includes the presence of accessibility features to make this establishment go above and beyond the accessibility of other establishments of the same type.

Details

  • There are plastic cups, straws, and lids available for the beverages served.

  • A grabber tool is available upon request, if needed for reaching items.

  • Trays are available for carrying snacks and smaller items during intermission.

  • The location is service animal friendly and pet friendly as long as they are trained and under control.

  • Bags with handles are available for any purchases in the gift shop area to make carrying items easier.

  • Employees are going through, or have completed, disability etiquette training to differentiate and elevate their customer service.

Want to Learn More About Our Accessibility Tests?

Send an email to visitable.certification@gmail.com with subject line: "VisitAble's Accessibility Test" and tell us what specifically you would like to know and the reason why. We're happy to provide as much information as is needed to allow you to have the confidence in knowing if an establishment is accessible to you or not!

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