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ACCESSIBILITY

Checklist

Please note, Hemlock is not wheelchair accessible and may be difficult for folks with mobility issues to enter due to our steep stair case. We have tried to mitigate this through lift rentals, etc but unfortunately because of the steepness of our steps and placement of the parking metre in front of our shop, lifts are not a viable option.

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We have received the generous support of Radio Block Tattoo(#100 - 1215 1st St SW to use their space to tattoo any clients who have accessibility needs that our location does not meet as their space is fully accessible. 

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Continue reading for more information.

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Building Exterior -

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Are there accessible parking spaces at/near your location?

Not marked accessible stalls in the immediate vicinity. 4 hour street parking only and paid lot parking only.

 

Is there a curb cut from the parking onto the sidewalk?

There is a curb cut located at the end of the street on 12th Ave. 

 

Is the route to the building entrance stable, firm and slip-resistant?

Yes. Slip hazard does go up slightly with snow but our building management takes care of snow removal daily.

 

Is the route at least 36 inches wide?

Yes.

 

Do you use salt outside your building when there is ice?

Sometimes. Exterior care is taken care of by our landlords.

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Below: Entrance to our studio from the outside street.

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Left: Second door to enter our studio from the outside.

Right: Secondary door and entrance way, from the inside.

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Left: On your left when you enter there is a waiting area with comfortable seating.

Building Entrance

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Is the main entrance easily seen?

Yes.

 

Is the entrance well-lit at night?

We are not open at night. No exterior lights.

 

Is the main entrance wheelchair accessible?

No.

 

If the main entrance is not wheelchair accessible, is there an alternative accessible entrance?

No.

 

If the main entrance is not accessible by one step, is there a ramp?

No. We looked into ramp rentals but unfortunately due to placement of a parking meter in front of our shop there isn't enough space to accommodate a ramp long enough for our steep steps.

 

Can the alternative accessible entrance be used independently and during the same hours as the main entrance?

No.

 

Does the main entrance door have an automatic door opener?

No.

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If there are two doors in a series, e.g. vestibule, is the distance between the doors at least 48 inches plus the width of the doors when swinging into the space?

No. The vestibule from the main door to our shop door is a small inclosed space with a sharp 90 degree turn.

 

Are entrances well lit?

Yes.

 

If you have entrance stairs, do they have tactile warning strips?

No.

 

Can doors be opened without too much force (5 lbs maximum for interior doors)?

Front door, no. Bathroom, yes.

 

On the pull side of doors, next to the handle, is there at least 18 inches of clear wall space so that a person using a wheelchair or crutches can get near to open the door?

No.

 

Are door handles 48 inches high or less and operable with a closed fist?

No.

 

Are the operable parts of the door hardware no less than 34 inches and no greater than 48 inches above the floor or ground surface?

Yes.

 

If provided at the building entrance, are carpets or mats no higher than 1⁄2 inch thick?

Yes.

 

Are edges of carpets or mats securely attached to minimize tripping hazards?

No.

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Building Interior

 

Is the reception desk/check-out counter in clear view of entrance doors?

No reception desk, just walk right in for service.

 

Do doors and door frames have good colour contrast with surrounding wall surfaces and floors?

No.

 

Do the handrails colour contrast with the surrounding walls?

Yes.

 

Do counters colour contrast with the surrounding areas?

Yes.

 

Do furniture such as couches, chairs, and tables colour contrast with their surrounding surfaces such as the walls and floor?

Yes.

 

Do all objects on circulation paths through public areas, e.g. fire extinguishers, drinking fountains, signs, etc., protrude no more than 4 inches into the path?

No.

 

Are aisles and pathways to goods and services at least 36 inches wide?

All aisles are 36 inches except the hall to the bathroom.

 

Are tripping hazards clearly marked with a bright colour, cane-detectable floor finish, or guard?

No.

 

Are floor surfaces stable, firm and slip resistant?

Yes.

 

Can controls (light switches, security and intercom systems, emergency/alarm boxes, etc.)be operated with one hand and without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist?

Yes.

 

Do you have sufficient lighting to ensure colours, patterns, and signage are all clearly identifiable?

Yes.

 

Do you have seating available for those waiting in line?

Three chairs in our waiting area.

 

Can the chairs at the tables move?

Yes.

 

Are popular items at an easy to reach height on shelves?

Yes.

 

Do you have background music?

Yes. Easily turned on, off or adjusted.

 

Is it low enough in volume so that customers can hear conversations clearly?

Yes, although when all tattoo machines are running the room is quite loud.

 

Do fire alarms include both auditory and visual components?

Yes.

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Right: The front waiting area and first artist station.

Left: To the right when you enter through our front entrance, we have a table consult area.

Signage

 

Is there an exterior sign identifying the name and address of the facility?

Yes.

 

Is there is an alternate system to communicate information on signs to consumers with visual impairments?

No.

 

Are the characters in permanent signage(e.g. building address, room numbers and names, exit signs, and directional information)on a contrasting background?

No.

 

Are text characters raised (sized between 5/8 and 2 inches high, with high contrast)?

No.

 

Is there Braille?

No.

 

Is the sign mounted on the wall on the latch side of the door?

No.

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Right: The view of our consult table area from the other side. Front, inside secondary door can be seen behind as well.

Left: Artist stations one and two shown, with artist station three behind the half wall at the back of the studio.

Above: Artist station 3, with some privacy from a half wall. At the back of the studio.

Washrooms

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Do washroom doors have Braille lettering?

No.

 

Raised (tactile) male/female symbol?

No.

 

Raised letters?

No.

 

Are washroom doors equipped with an automatic or push-button opener?

No.

 

Does the toilet stall door swing outwards?

No.

 

Is there a grab bar beside the toilet?

No.

 

Are washrooms large enough to accommodate people who use scooters and power wheelchairs?

No.

 

Is there at least 810 mm of clear floor space beside the toilet for a lateral transfer?

No.

 

Are the dispensers automatic?

No.

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Right: Washroom door and entrance, located at the back of the studio. Second hand washing station just outside of the washroom.

Left: Toilet and sink inside the washroom.

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Hemlock Tattoo would like to acknowledge our location and role to play within the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes: The Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations), and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. We want to express our deep gratitude for the people of these nations for caring for the land and all the sacrifices they have made in doing so.

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We want to acknowledge our privileged position to be operating on this extremely abundant land and to recognize that ALL people residing here are Treaty 7 people. In the spirit of acknowledging this history we want to conduct ourselves in a way that honours the Seven Teachings of the Blackfoot, Cree, and Ojibwe people. These teachings are comprised of courage, honesty, humility, love, respect, truth and wisdom and they perfectly encompass how we wish to operate and share space in Treaty 7 territory. 

We also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the indigenous origins and history of tattooing in North America as well as in a wider global context. Our modern western understanding of tattooing barely passes a glance at the deep, symbolic and sacred roots tattooing has in indigenous cultures. As a team we want to participate in changing this via the dissemination of information/education and supporting those who are working to revive and protect the ancestral tattoo techniques, motifs and patterns that colonialism sought to erase.

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Thank you to Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes for her warmth, wisdom and guidance and to all future educators and experts for sharing their knowledge with us. We want to commit ourselves to continuing to amplify voices and seeking out the expertise of the historical stewards of this land we call home.

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-Hemlock Tattoo

©2024 Hemlock Tattoo Studio. Created by the Bread & Butter Club.

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