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South College - Block B5 - Earhart, Lorde

Mount Oswald, The Approach, Durham, DH1 3LD

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Access Guide

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Summary

Accommodation Summary

  • Parking and Transport View
    • The accommodation has its own parking facilities.
    • No secure parking is available.
    • There is Blue Badge parking only in front of the block.
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
    • There is a university bus service stop within approximately 200 metres of the residence.
  • Residence Information View
    • This residence is made up of This block is made up of two joined blocks with cluster flats on 4 floors buildings.
    • All buildings at this residence have similar access to the one surveyed.
    • The residence surveyed was Block B5 Earhart.
    • The other building, Lorde, is at a slightly lower level and with a slight ramp for access. There are no accessible rooms in Lorde block.
  • Accessible Accommodation Information View
    • The accommodation has 120 rooms in total.
    • There is an/are accessible room(s) within the accommodation.
    • The accommodation has 2 accessible room(s) with accessible bathroom facilities.
    • There is/are 0 accessible room(s) with a ceiling track hoist.
    • There is/are 2 accessible room(s) with a wet room/wheel in shower.
    • There is not an/are not adjoining room(s) available for the accessible room(s).
    • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
    • The accessible toilet facilities are located within the ensuite rooms.
  • Standard Accommodation Information View
    • There is standard accommodation on the ground floor.
    • Ground floor accommodation does have level access.
    • There are standard rooms on other floors.
    • The other floors cannot be accessed by lift.
    • Standard accommodation has ensuites with stepped shower cubicles.
    • There is not an/are not adjoining room(s) available for the standard room(s).
  • Amenities and Communal Facilities View
    • There is not a convenience store within approximately 200 metres of the residence.
    • Communal facilities within this residence include a staffed reception, a launderette, a common room, a recreation room, a bar and a study area.
  • Additional Accessibility Aids View
    • Vibrating pillows alarms are available on request.
    • Bed raisers are not available on request.
    • Portable hoists are not available on request.

Useful Information

Getting Here (South College)

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by student permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located in front of the block.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • There is/are 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 235cm x 490cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The marked zone is 110cm wide.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 25m (27yd 1ft) from the block entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user.
    • The car park surface is tarmac and block paving.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • The name of the car park is South College.
    • The car park is located off The Approach next to the Pitcairn Building.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
    • There are similar Blue Badge bays in front of blocks B3 Concordia and B4 Centaurus.

Site/Campus Car Park (South College Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off The Approach, to the right as you enter the Mount Oswald site.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Pitcairn Building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 240cm x 480cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The marked zone is 120cm wide.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by visitors, Blue Badge holders, staff permit holders and student permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
    • Signs are clearly presented.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is a designated drop off point in this car park.
    • There is not a dropped kerb from the drop off point.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is step free access from this car park.
    • Buildings are not clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is not a campus map available within the car park.
    • The nearest designated bay is 25m (27yd 1ft) from the lower side entrance of the Pitcairn Building.
    • This entrance requires a key card for entry.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the side of the building.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor, Block 5 Earhart.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Block 5 Earhart'.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 110cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • There is a push pad/button to exit the main automatic doors.
    • The exit push pad or push button is 103cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 92cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a similar door opposite in the entrance foyer (photographs 5 to 8). There is a similar separate entrance to Lorde Block (photographs 9 to 12).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the left of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

Inside Access

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is not step-free access throughout the building.
    • The type of flooring is vinyl.
    • There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music/sound.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located off the main entrance foyer.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2 and 3.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 17cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.

Entrance (Cluster Flat 39)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor.
    • This entrance gives access to Cluster Flat 39.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Cluster Flat 39'.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 109cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.

Accommodation (Room 016 - Flat 39 - Block B5 Earhart)

  • Accessible Room Information View
    • This type of accessible room is located on the ground floor.
    • There is step-free access to this type of accessible room.
    • All accessible rooms of this type have similar specifications.
    • Residents do not need to open a door between the entrance and the room(s).
    • The room surveyed does not have an adjoining room.
  • Accessible Room Features View
    • The accessible room surveyed is located Flat 39 - Block B5 Earhart.
    • The accessible room surveyed at the time of the visit was Room 016.
    • There is step-free access to the accessible room surveyed.
    • The colour contrast between the external room door and wall is high.
    • The door is manual with a key card lock and The door is manual with a twist lock.
    • The fob/card reader height is 95cm.
    • The width of the door is 87cm.
    • There are not lowered spy holes available.
    • The colour contrast between the internal room door and wall is high.
    • The bed height is not adjustable.
    • The height of the bed is 62cm (2ft).
    • The measurement between the bed base and floor is 0cm ().
    • The bed is not moveable.
    • The room does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm next to the bed.
    • The desk is height adjustable.
    • The desk knee recess has the recommended dimensions of 70cm (height) x 50cm (depth).
    • The room surveyed had a height adjustable chair with armrests.
    • Wardrobes have not been adapted to allow use from a seated position.
    • Light switches are between 75cm and 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • Electric sockets are between 40cm and 100cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • The window control type(s) for the room is a/are standard lever(s).
    • The window controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is an emergency alarm in the room.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm in the room is within reach and fully functional.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
    • The type of flooring is carpet.
    • The colour contrast between the room walls and floor is high.
    • The lighting levels in the room are good.
  • Bathroom Facilities View
    • This information relates to the ensuite.
    • The colour contrast between the external bathroom door and wall is high.
    • The bathroom door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the door into the bathroom is 87cm.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The colour contrast between the internal bathroom door and wall is high.
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 240cm x 249cm.
    • The bathroom does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The bathroom has a non-slip floor.
    • The colour contrast between the bathroom walls and floor is high.
    • There is an emergency alarm within the bathroom.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm in the ensuite is within reach and fully functional.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the bathroom.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • There is a/are pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf immediately next to or behind the toilet.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 74cm.
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The lighting levels in the bathroom are good.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 166cm.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet, the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 115cm (3ft 9in).
  • Shower Details View
    • The ensuite has a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The shower control type is lever.
    • Shower controls have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is a flip-down/tip-up seat for the shower.
    • The height of the flip-down/tip-up or fixed seat is 52cm (1ft 8in).
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available for the shower.
    • Horizontal and/or dropdown rails are available on both sides of the shower seat.
    • There is a single vertical grab rail to assist standing users.
    • The colour contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is high.
    • The colour contrast between the shower dropdown rail(s) and wall is/are high.

Kitchen/Dining Area

  • The kitchen/dining area is accessed by a single door with an opening width of over 75cm.
  • Lowered work surfaces are available.
  • There is a height adjustable work surface (which includes the sink and hob).
  • The kitchen does have an unobstructed floor space of at least 150cm × 150cm.
  • There is a knee recess under a work surface.
  • A knee recess is provided adjacent to the oven, the sink and the hob.
  • Knee recesses are at least 80cm wide.
  • There are some low level cupboards.
  • The height of the dining table is 72cm.
  • There are dining chairs with armrests only.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.