On 13th February 2024 a team of Camden Disability Action’s community reporters visited the Town Hall in Judd street to check how easy it is for Disabled people to use. They found that the building looks nice but is not fully accessible.
Some of the access barriers the group found were:
- The building had no reception area or staff and the its ‘meet and greet’ service is not always available.
- A lack of signage outside of most of the rooms and in the entrance area.
- The signage that was there had small writing, both on screens and on signs.
- The stairs and floor in the entrance area were deemed slippery by some.
- Security staff seemed disgruntled and were not always polite, though in some cases they were both friendly and co-operative.
- Staff were not equipped with ‘speech to text’ devices, which can be used to aid communication with people with hearing conditions.
- The disabled people’s toilets do not have enough space for wheelchair users.
- There was a lack of signage outside the building to tell people what happens there and a lack of signage to show how wheelchair users can enter the building.
- No evacuation chairs were seen on the stairs.
Click below to listen to Community Reporter Jill talking about the access issues the group found at 5 Judd Street.
The group members did like some parts of the building. The ‘changing places’ toilet was considered excellent by all due to its large size and suitable equipment. Some group members said the building was big and bright with a stunning staircase and that the renovation had returned it to its ‘former glory’.
