Visitor Accessibility at Grinnell College
Outdoor class in Kington Plaza

Category: Humanities & Social Studies Center (HSSC)

Faculty/Staff Lounge, C2410

By

On August 12, 2025

In Dining Space, Humanities & Social Studies Center (HSSC), Social Space

Entrance  

The lounge is located on the top floor of Carnegie Hall. The accessible path to the lounge would be take the freight elevator from the first floor of Carnegie Hall to the top and the lounge will be in front of you as you exit the elevator.

Moving Around the Room

As you enter from the leftmost door, to your left, or southern end of the room, are dark wooden see-through cabinets displaying various memorabilia, and in front of you are sets of blue fabric modern wingback chairs around dark wooden rectangular coffee tables.

Moving along clockwise, there are three tall art installations close to the wall: one at the leftmost upper corner, one in the middle, and one at the rightmost upper corner. In the middle of the room there are dining-height circular tables with three orange leather chairs around each. On the right as you face the exterior windows are two massive rectangular dark wood reading reading desks with three chairs on each side of both.

On the far right, or northern end of the room, there are symmetrical memorabilia cabinets similar to those on the far facing wall. Finishing up clockwise to your right in the middle of the room there is a second entrance door followed by another tall art installation.

Sensory

Floor: Wooden parquet with carpets in the areas with chairs.

Walls: Blue painted walls. The wall facing east features a panoramic window in the middle, allowing visibility to and from the rest of Carnegie Hall.

Lighting: There are three big windows facing west and 12 big round fabric chandeliers in neutral white color fully and evenly lighting up the room.

Sound: Despite being a spacious room with high ceilings, the room does not have a problem with echoes when the floor rugs and furniture are present.

Smell: No discernible smell, unless food is served at an event.

(Photo by Justin Hayworth/Grinnell College)

Kington Plaza

By

On January 15, 2025

In Dining Space, Humanities & Social Studies Center (HSSC), Outdoor Space, Social Space

This outdoor plaza located between the Humanities and Social Studies Center (HSSC) and Noyce Science Center is a fully paved courtyard area with paved sidewalks leading to and from it from various directions. During Reunion, dining tables are set in the plaza and are available for accessible seating throughout Reunion. including at Reunion Block Party, All-Reunion Dinner, and for All-Reunion After-Party.

Standard furniture in this area are round tables and orange chairs. Both are plastic, sturdy, movable, yet relatively heavy.

The chair seat is 18″ high and 16″ wide and back support is 17″ high from the seat.

The table is 30″ high and 38″ in diameter.

The hardscaping in this area also features seat walls/benches.

**Note that plastic tables and chairs in the plaza are moveable so may not be located as pictured.**

 

(Photo by Justin Hayworth/Grinnell College)

Yo(Photo by Justin Hayworth/Grinnell College)

Kington Plaza facing west

Kington Plaza facing west (Photo by Justin Hayworth/Grinnell College)

Kington Plaza facing northeast, view of sculpture and stone benches

Kington Plaza facing northeast, view of sculpture and stone benches (Photo by Justin Hayworth/Grinnell College)

Kington Plaza, facing northwest (Photo by Justin Hayworth/Grinnell College)

Kington Plaza, facing northwest (Photo by Justin Hayworth/Grinnell College)

 

HSSC S1325 Presentation Room

By

On January 14, 2025

In Humanities & Social Studies Center (HSSC), Presentation Space

Entrance

The presentation room has two entrances. The main entrance is on the north side of the room. When entering from this door, there is a ramp with hand rails that leads to the front of the room.

Moving Around the Room

The room has two tiers with grip on the edge, with fixed tables on each tier.

The tables in this room cannot be moved, but the chairs are on wheels.

Sensory

Floor: Low loop pile carpet.

Walls: On the north side of the room, there is grey sound dampening paneling on top of a red wall. On the back of the room, there is red sound dampening paneling on the white wall. 

Lighting: Strong overhead LED bar and dots lights. The lights can be dimmed. There are two sets of curtains, one that allows for natural light to be let in, and one that is black-out.

Sound: The space is generally quiet with the dull humming sound of air vents and other machinery.

Smell: There are no noticeable smells. 

A view of the audience at a Reunion presentation in the HSSC Auditorium.

HSSC A2231 Auditorium

By

On January 14, 2025

In Humanities & Social Studies Center (HSSC), Presentation Space

Entrance

When entering from the north or south side, there are two sets of doors with a vestibule that is roughly 11 ½ feet. There is no divider between the doors. At the second set of doors, you may take a slight left to a ramp that leads you to the front of the second section of seats. Both sides of the ramp have hand rails. There is dim lighting on the right side to help see if lights are off. 

Moving Around the Room

When entering the auditorium from either of the ramps, there are spaces for wheelchairs.

The stairs in the seated section have a slight wood grip. 

The space in the front of the room can be reconfigured based on the event.

The seating is fold-down cushioned chairs with small desk platforms between the seats that can be brought up.

Sensory

Floor: The flooring is red, brown, black, and grey low pile carpet. 

Walls: The front walls of the room are white walls with wood accents. The back of the room is wood paneling. There are windows with dimmer shades on. 

Lighting: Harsh white LED lights that are dimmable. Note that different sections of the room can be dimmed at the same time. 

Sound: Fairly quiet with the slight sound of machinery. This room is hearing looped, however, if there is an event going on in the Multipurpose Room, your hearing loop can pick up what is going on in that room if you happen to be standing on the carpeted area that is down stairs.

Smell: There are no noticeable smells unless there the event includes food. 

Accessible Bathrooms HSSC

By

On January 14, 2025

In Bathrooms, Humanities & Social Studies Center (HSSC)

North

If coming into the HSSC from the side facing north towards 8th Avenue, there are two single stall bathrooms on the right. The first bathroom is larger, but does not have an automatic door opener. The second bathroom has a push-button that is 3 feet off the ground.

Past the single stall bathrooms, there two gendered multi-stall bathrooms.  There is no automatic button to enter or exit the bathroom. There is one accessible stall with no automatic door opener. 

South

In the corridor across from S1316, passing the water fountains, on the right side, the second bathroom stall is accessible. To the right of the door about 3 feet there is a push-button door opener. 

Past this corridor, there is a pair of gendered multi-stall bathroom that have one accessible stall. There is no automatic door-opener.

Second Floor ARH

Next to the auditorium, there two gendered multi-stall bathrooms. There is no automatic button to enter or exit the bathroom. There is one accessible stall with no automatic door opener. 

When exiting from the elevator, there are 2 single-stall bathrooms.  The first bathroom is larger, but does not have any automatic door opener. The second bathroom has a push-button that is 3 feet off the ground. 

Carnegie Hall 2nd Floor

Across from the Faculty/Staff Lounge on the top floor of Carnegie hall (C2410) are two private accessible restrooms, outside of each lounge’s exits. One has a push-to-open lever handle, one a push-to-open automatic button. The light switch 47.5” high and a paper towel dispenser with a motion sensor 45” high in the first are located to the right as entering, in the second one to the left.

Both have bar supports.

Round white ceramic sink 34” high is towards you as you enter. No hand dryer.

The sink has an automatic motion detection for turning water on/off.

Accessible restroom across from C2410

Accessible restroom across from C2410

A Reunion meal in the HSSC Multipurpose Room.

HSSC A1231: Multipurpose Room

By

On January 14, 2025

In Dining Space, Humanities & Social Studies Center (HSSC), Presentation Space

Entrances

The Multipurpose room contains a total of six entrances with the north and south walls each having three entrances. Both walls consist of two active double doorways and one single framed door. Both the single framed doors are on the easternmost side of the wall, adjacent to the presentation area. The double-door entrances are about 5 feet 10 inches wide. All entrances have manual openings.

Moving Clockwise Around the Room

***The layout of the room on the carpeted area can change depending on the event happening in the space***

The seating area contains a total of nine wooden tables and six hard chairs, with no armrests, per table. The tables are approximately 29 inches in height and 59 inches wide, while the chairs are approximately 60 inches in height. The room has moveable tables and chairs that can change formation and location depending on the event.

There are 3 trash bins along the walls of the room, nearest to the double-door entrances.  

On the east wall there is a projector held afloat in the center ceiling of the room facing the presentation area. The projector screen comes down to cover the windows looking out onto the atrium.

Attached to the east wall are two medium-sized speaker subwoofers, one on the north side of the wall, and the other on the south side of the wall.

At the front of the room, in the presentation area, there is a hard surface wooden podium about 35 inches in height. The podium has a computer with equipment that connects to the projector. The west wall at the back of the room contains a series of wall-mounted whiteboards.

Directly in front of the west wall is a long plastic serving table, often used for catering services.

Along both the north and south walls, adjacent to the double doorways, are two soft surface couch chairs with a wooden table in between the chairs. The table and the couches are 13 inches in height.   

Approaching the easternmost presentation area, the north and south walls slightly curve in. Within the space created by this convex curve is a soft surface couch on the north and south walls. 

There are 3 wooden tables along the east presentation area wall, next to the curving couch, and two wooden tables between the couch chairs, for a total of 5 tables.

Sensory

Floor: Tile encircles the flooring closest to the walls and entrance, while the majority of the seating space is positioned on smooth loop pile carpet flooring. 

Walls: The walls are made of brick and mortar. 

Lighting: Strong overhead LED lighting. 

Sound: With the doors closed, the space is generally quiet with the dull humming sound of air vents and other machinery.  If the doors are left open, sounds from the HSSC atrium can be heard.

***It is important to note that this room has a hearing loop but it ONLY works if the person is standing on the carpeted area***

Smell: There are no noticeable smells unless a function occurs with food provided.

Global Living Room HSSC

By

On January 14, 2025

In Dining Space, Humanities & Social Studies Center (HSSC)

Entrance  

When entering the Global Living Room from opposite the Multipurpose Room A1231, the entrance is a 12 foot opening with no divider. 

Moving Clockwise Around the Room

To the left, there is two sofas in an L shape, next to a lamp. On the left hand there is an offshoot of the room, with three tables and five chairs.

The Center of the room is a clear corridor that leads to you the exit which is 9 foot opening with no divider and exits towards the Global Kitchen N1171. 

To right, there is a set of three chairs and two couches in an L-shape in front of the tv. One of the couches creates a divider between the corridor of the room. Opposite of the couches there are two chairs with wide backs. At the front of the room on the right side there is a large tv display and three cabinets underneath.

Note that chairs can be moved around due to events. 

Sensory

Floor: Wood. On the right side there is a carpet inlay between the couches and the high-back chairs.

Walls:  Facing the Multipurpose Room A1231, the walls are glass. The rest of the room is lined with a plastic-coated white paneling.  

Lighting: The light switch on the left-side of the room, closet to the atrium of the global café turns on a center beam of bright white fluorescent light that is not dimmable.  The second switch on the panel turns on dot lights around the outside of the room, which are bright harsh fluorescent lights that are not dimmable. 

If entering from the Global Kitchen side, on the wall right outside of the room, the first switch turns on the center beam of the room that is dimmable. To dim, just press and hold.  The same switch panel, but the closer to the Global Living room has a dimmable switch that turns on the dot lights. 

Sound: You can hear ambient noise from the HSSC atrium. The Global Living Room is completely silent. 

Smell: There are no noticeable smells but during functioning times of the Global Kitchen and Global Cafe, food smells can be expected. 

Elevators HSSC

By

On January 14, 2025

In Elevators, Humanities & Social Studies Center (HSSC)

North Elevator

When entering from 8th Avenue, pass the Institute for Global Engagement N1138-N1158, make a sharp left and there is an elevator. 

South Elevators

When entering from the south entrance (closest to Herrick Chapel):

If you proceed down the main corridor, there will be an elevator on the right.

If you go left upon entering, there is a large elevator that also provides access to Carnegie Hall.

Entrances & Exits HSSC

By

On January 14, 2025

In Entrances & Exits, Humanities & Social Studies Center (HSSC)

Entrance/Exit Across from the Noyce Bike Racks

This entrance has a smooth approach with no obstructions. When coming from the Joe Rosenfield Center there are pillars on either side of the sidewalk that might need to be navigated around depending on the angle of which the person is approaching the door. If entering from the outside, this entrance/exit has a push/kick bar to open the doors on the right. 

The automatic door opener is a free-standing column to the right as you approach the door.

The automatic door opener is a free-standing column to the right as you approach the door.

There is a divider in the first set of doors and on the second set of doors there is no divider. When working properly, both sets of doors open at the same time and remain open for 7 seconds. There is another automatic door push button opener halfway through in the vestibule if one needs more time for the door to remain open.

Exterior of the double doors at the entrance to the HSSC across from the Noyce bike racks.

Exterior of the double doors at the entrance to the HSSC across from the Noyce bike racks.

The vestibule is approximately 15 feet long and 10 feet wide. The flooring in the vestibule is grey tile with a a low loop pile carpet inlay made up of various shades of grey. If exiting through this entrance/exit there is a push button automatic door opener on the right side of the doors.  

8th Avenue Entrance/Exit to the JRC – across from Younker Hall

This entrance has a smooth approach with no obstructions.  

View of 8th Avenue Entrance/Exit towards JRC, across from Younker Hall

View of 8th Avenue Entrance/Exit towards JRC, across from Younker Hall

If entering from the outside of this entrance/exit has a push/kick bar to open the doors on the left. 

Automatic door opener stand to the left as you approach the doors.

Automatic door opener stand to the left as you approach the doors.

The first set of doors have a divider and the second set of doors have no divider. When working properly, both sets of doors open at the same time and remain open for 7 seconds. 

The vestibule is approximately 8 feet long and 10 feet wide. The flooring is grey tile with a low loop pile carpet inlay made up of various shades of grey. Between the two doors there is a wall mounted push automatic door opener on the right. If exiting through this entrance/exit there is a push button automatic door opener on the right side of the door. 

South Entrance/Exit Across from Herrick

This entrance has a smooth approach with no obstructions.  

Unobstructed approach to HSSC entrance by Herrick Chapel.

Unobstructed approach to HSSC entrance by Herrick Chapel.

If entering from the outside of this entrance/exit has a push/kick bar to open the doors on the left.  

The push/kick automatic door opener on the left as you approach the doors.

The push/kick automatic door opener on the left as you approach the doors.

The first set of doors have a divider and the second set of doors have no divider. When working properly, both sets of doors open at the same time and remain open for 7 seconds. 

View of doors with push/kick automatic door opener stand on left.

View of doors with push/kick automatic door opener stand on left.

The vestibule is approximately 15 feet long and 10 feet wide. The flooring in the vestibule is grey tile with a a low loop pile carpet inlay made up of various shades of grey. If exiting through this entrance/exit there is a push button automatic door opener on the right side of the doors.  

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