Skip to main content

Search for accessibility information

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Hormel-Nguyen Intercultural Center (Sproul Hall)

Swarthmore College, 9 Parrish Hall Road, Swarthmore, PA, 19081

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

About

  • There is a campus parking lot available.
  • The name of the nearest parking lot is Dean Bond Rose Garden Lot.
  • View information on Swarthmore College Parking Lots (opens new tab) .
  • Student permit parking is available in the Cunningham South Lot.
    View information on parking on campus
    The nearest parking lot containing visitor parking spaces is Benjamin West Lot.
    View information on visitor parking on campus.
  • Hormel-Nguyen Intercultural Center, located in Sproul Hall, is home to the Interfaith Center, International Student Center, Intercultural Center.
    Sproul Hall is a medium sized square building with 3 floors.
    It includes small meeting rooms, lounges, event space, and a prayer room with wudu station.
    The Intercultural Center is a small single-story building located in the cloister on the opposite side of the Fragrance Garden from Clothier Hall.
  • There is 1 elevator and 2 stairways within Sproul Hall.
    The Intercultural Center is a single-story building; although there is a level change with 9 stairs (bypassed by a stair lift) to access the IC Bigroom.
  • The floor names in Sproul Hall are signed as LL, 1 and 2.

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via slopes of varying degrees.
  • There is step-free access to all areas of the Sproul Observatory.
    There is step-free access to the majority of the Intercultural Center; although some areas of this building have stepped access and it is accessed via a separate entrance. Please see the details below.
  • The Sproul Observatory has 4 entrances.
    The accessible entrance - SP-1, provides step-free access (via ramp) to the first floor of the building.
    The Intercultural Center has 2 entrances, plus rooms 135, 136 and 137 each have their own outside accesses directly onto the cloister around the Fragrance Garden.
    The Intercultural Center IC Bigroom entrance provides step-free access (via ramp) to the building.
  • The Sproul Observatory entrances are signed as "SP-1" and "SP-4".
    The Intercultural Center entrances are signed as "The Intercultural Center IC Bigroom" and "The Intercultural Center".
  • The Sproul Observatory accessible entrance - SP-1 gives direct access to the first floor of the Sproul Observatory. From here, there is step-free level access to the elevator, which provides step-free level access to the lower level and second floor of the building.
    The Intercultural Center IC Bigroom entrance provides step-free access to the top of the stair lift down to the IC Bigroom. There is internal stepped access from this entrance to the standard restroom and IC Bigroom balcony, as there also is from the Intercultural Center entrance.
  • The SP-4 entrance provides stepped access, via a single, manual door, to the first floor of the Sproul Observatory.
    The Intercultural Center entrance provides stepped access, via one step and a single, manual door, to the corridor by the IC Bigroom. There is stepped access inside the building from this entrance to all areas.
    Rooms 135, 136 and 137 each have step-free level access via single, manual doors.

Getting Around

  • Within the Intercultural Center, there are 9 unmarked steps, with a partial handrail on the right going down, to access the IC Bigroom. These have a maximum height of 7in (18cm), a minimum tread depth of 11in (29cm), and a partial handrail on the left going down at a height of 2ft 1in (65cm) from the step nosing. These steps are bypassed by the stair lift.
    There are 2 steps, with no handrails, between the Intercultural Center entrance and the stair lift. These have a maximum height of 5in (13cm) and a minimum tread depth of 1ft 2in (36cm).
    There is an alternate, exterior entrance to the IC Bigroom.
    There are 3 steps, with a handrail on the left going up, between the Intercultural Center entrance, and the IC Bigroom balcony and standard restroom. These have a maximum height of 7in (19cm) and a minimum tread depth of 10in (27cm). The handrail has a height of 2ft 10in (88cm) from the step nosing.
  • Floor surfaces within the Sproul Observatory consist of carpet and shiny vinyl flooring.
    Floor surfaces within the Intercultural Center consist of shiny wood and low pile carpet, which is patterned.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas throughout the Sproul Observatory and Intercultural Center, which have a mixture of seating.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided in circulation routes and lobby areas throughout the Sproul Observatory.
    There is not wayfinding or floor plan signage in the Intercultural Center.

Rooms and Services Available

Restrooms and Changing Facilities Available

  • Multiple-stall Restrooms with Accessibility Features View
    • The multiple-stall restrooms with accessibility features are located in the Sproul Observatory, on the first floor, ahead and to the right as you enter through the accessible entrance - SP-1; and on the second floor, to the right and straight ahead as you exit the elevator.
    • The transfer space within the multiple-stall restrooms with accessibility features varies between left hand transfer and right hand transfer.
  • Standard Restrooms View
    • Standard, gender inclusive restrooms are located within the Intercultural Center, to the right and up the steps as you enter through either entrance.

Entrance (Accessible Entrance - SP-1)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, leading in from the fragrance garden in the Clothier Hall courtyard.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a gradient of 1:9.
  • There is a step-free level resting area.
  • 198
  • The ramp has handrails on both sides.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess that provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • 91
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • 107
  • The door has a lever handle.
  • 84
  • There is a squared threshold (more than 1/2in) at the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • 103
  • The door has a pull handle.
  • 83
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter the entrance.

Entrance (The Intercultural Center IC Bigroom)

  • This entrance is located off the cloister running around the fragrance garden, opposite Clothier Hall CL-5 entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • It will be easier for wheelchair users to access the IC Bigroom via this external entrance than via the internal route, which involves navigating two steps and stair lift.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess that provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • 104
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • 87
  • The door has a lever handle.
  • 74
  • There is a squared threshold (more than 1/2in) at the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter the entrance.

Lobby

  • The lobby is located immediately to the left as you enter the building through the accessible entrance - SP-1.
  • The lobby is approximately 4yd 1ft (4m) from the accessible entrance - SP-1 (second set of doors).
  • The most accessible route to the lobby has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access to the desk.
  • The height of the desk is 3ft 7in (108cm).
  • The lowered section of the desk is at a height of 2ft 6in (76cm).
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • The flooring consists of carpet with a subtle patter.
  • There is space for a wheelchair user to maneuver (60in x 60in - 1525mm x 1525mm).
  • There are chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs, couches, stools, wide chairs with armrests and wide chairs without armrests in this area.
  • There are coffee tables and tables in this area.
  • There are some tables suitable for wheelchair users (between 28in and 34in - 710mm and 860mm from the floor).

Meditation Room - 003

  • Location and Access View
    • The room surveyed is located off the lower level corridor.
    • The room surveyed is approximately 6yd 1in (5.5m) from the elevator on the Lower Level.
    • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is Braille, tactile and written text signage on or near the entrance.
    • There is step-free level access to enter.
    • There is a single manual door to enter the room.
    • The door has a medium visual contrast.
    • The door open away from you.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door has a lever handle.
    • The width of the opening is 2ft 9in (83.82cm).
  • Room Details View
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • There is space for a wheelchair user to maneuver (60in x 60in - 1525mm x 1525mm).
    • Some flooring is patterned.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Additional facilities/services include: ritual washing facilities.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • There is a wudu with a stool in front of it directly opposite the room entrance. There is a moveable partition placed in front of the wudu and stool. There is a shoe rack immediately to the left once inside the room where shoes must be left. Seating consists of bean bag chairs on the floor.

Elevator

  • The elevator is located to the left as you enter the building through the accessible entrance - SP-1, beyond the reception desk and stair 1.
  • The elevator surveyed is approximately 10yd 2ft (10m) from the accessible entrance - SP-1 (second set of doors).
  • The most accessible route to the elevator has step-free level access.
  • The floors which are accessible by this elevator are the lower level (LL), first and second floors.
  • The elevator has a turning space of 30in x 48in (760mm x 1220mm) in front of it.
  • The external elevator control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external elevator controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user (between 15in - 48in (380mm - 1220mm)).
  • The weight limit for the elevator is 1400 lb.
  • The elevator door has a high visual contrast.
  • The elevator door opening width is 2ft 11in (89cm).
  • The internal dimensions of the elevator are 3ft 11in width x 4ft 6in depth (119cm x 136cm).
  • The internal elevator control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal elevator controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user (between 15in - 48in (380mm - 1220mm)).
  • Internally the elevator has: a visual floor indicator and railings.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Stairway (Stair 1)

  • The stairway surveyed is located to the left as you enter the Sproul Observatory through the accessible entrance - SP-1, beyond the reception desk.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairway are lower level (LL), first and second.
  • There are 19 steps between floors.
  • There is a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The height of the handrail is 2ft 8in (81cm).
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the highest step is 8in (20cm).
  • The minimum tread depth is 11in (28cm).
  • Lighting levels vary due to the presence of large glass panels/windows.

Platform Lift (Intercultural Center - IC Bigroom)

  • The lift is located on the stairway leading down into the IC Bigroom, to the left as you enter through the Intercultural Center - IC Bigroom entrance.
  • The lift has a turning space of 30in x 48in (760mm x 1220mm) in front of it.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 2ft 7in x 4ft 2in (79cm x 126cm).
  • The lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high color contrast.
  • The lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Lighting levels are even.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • The controls within the lift lack tactile markings.

Restroom with Accessibility Features (First Floor - Gender Inclusive - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The restroom surveyed is a multiple-stall restroom.
    • The restroom surveyed is located on the first floor of the Sproul Observatory, ahead and to the right as you enter through the accessible entrance - SP-1.
    • The restroom surveyed is approximately 8yd 2ft (8m) from the accessible entrance - SP-1 (second set of doors).
    • The most accessible route to the restroom has step-free level access.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the restroom door.
    • The door into the restroom opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The door has a lever handle.
    • The width of the restroom door opening is 2ft 9in (83cm).
    • The door into the stall opens outwards and has a low visual contrast with the surrounding walls.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door has a lever handle.
    • The width of the stall door opening is 2ft 9in (83cm).
    • The door has a push button lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The overall dimensions are 5ft 5in x 5ft 5in (165cm x 165cm).
    • The turning space dimensions are 5ft 5in x 2ft 12in (165cm x 91cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left of the toilet as you look at it.
    • The lateral transfer space is 3ft 4in (102cm) (from the side of the toilet bowl to the wall).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab bar on the rear wall and on the side wall.
    • The horizontal grab bars have a high visual contrast with the surrounding walls.
    • There is a vertical grab bar on the side wall.
    • The vertical grab bar has a high visual contrast with the surrounding walls.
    • The toilet seat is 1ft 6in (46cm) from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall-mounted toilet paper dispenser that can be easily reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet paper dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet paper dispenser is 1ft 8in (50cm) from the floor.
    • The sink is 2ft 9in (84cm) from the floor.
    • The area underneath the sink is unobstructed .
    • The sink faucet type is sensor.
    • There is a wall-mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 3ft 4in (102cm) from the floor.
    • There is a wall-mounted paper towel dispenser.
    • The paper towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The paper towel dispenser is 3ft 8in (111cm) from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a mirror above the sink/counter top with its bottom edge within 40in (1000mm) maximum from the finish floor.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The stall has a sanitary products receptacle.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 4ft 1in (124cm) from the floor.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.