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Van Mildert College - Middleton Block

Van Mildert College, Durham University, Mill Hill Lane, Durham, DH1 3LH

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Access Guide

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Accommodation Summary (Middleton)

  • Parking and Transport View
    • The accommodation shares another buildings parking facilities.
    • No secure parking is available.
    • 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 single rooms with shared facilities in catered hall of residence buildings.
    • The residence surveyed was Middleton Block.
  • Accessible Accommodation Information View
    • The accommodation has 63 rooms in total.
    • There is not an/are not accessible room(s) within the accommodation.
    • There is not an/are not adjoining room(s) available for the accessible room(s).
    • Accessible toilet facilities are not available.
    • There is an accessible/ambulant toilet facility on the ground floor. However the building has stepped access only.
  • Standard Accommodation Information View
    • There is standard accommodation on the ground floor.
    • Ground floor accommodation does not have level access.
    • There are standard rooms on other floors.
    • The other floors cannot be accessed by lift.
    • Standard accommodation has shared bathrooms 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
    • There is not a deaf alert system available on request.
    • Vibrating pillows alarms are available on request.
    • Bed raisers are not available on request.
    • Portable hoists are not available on request.

Getting Here (Van Mildart College)

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • 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 Van Mildert College car park.
    • The car park is located in front of the main building and on the service road off Mill Hill Lane.
  • 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.

Site/Campus Car Park (Van Mildart College)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Mill Hill Lane by the main building with additional parking on the service road below.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Van Mildert College main building, Deerness Block and Derwent Block.
    • 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 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 240cm x 500cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The marked zone is 120cm wide.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by staff, Blue Badge holders and 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 not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is step free access from this car park.
    • Buildings are clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is not a campus map available within the car park.
    • The nearest designated bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • There are 3 additional Blue Badge bays on the service road in front of Deerness Block. There are 2 additional Blue Badge bays and standard parking on the service road at the north end of the main building with ramped access to the JCR entrance and Derwent Block.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the south end of the block.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Middleton'.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection 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 code is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key code reader is 130cm.
    • 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 91cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) both ways.
    • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 91cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 5 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up the step(s).
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are not easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.

Inside Access

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is not step-free access throughout the building.
    • The type of flooring is carpet.
    • 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.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This area 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 on the right as you enter.
    • The stairs are approximately 3m from the main entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, double 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 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 the right going up.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are not easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not 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 moderate to good.
  • Other Information View
    • The room(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are all rooms on all floors.

Kitchen/Dining Area (Ground Floor with Laundrette)

  • The kitchen/dining area is accessed by a single door with an opening width of less than 75cm.
  • Lowered work surfaces are not available.
  • The height of the lowest work surface is 93cm.
  • The kitchen does not have an unobstructed floor space of at least 150cm × 150cm.
  • There is not a knee recess under a work surface.
  • There are some low level cupboards.
  • There is a washing machine with door 35cm high and controls 107cm high. There is a dryer with door 40cm high and controls 105cm high.

Kitchen/Dining Area (Upper Floors)

  • The kitchen/dining area is accessed by a single door with an opening width of less than 75cm.
  • Lowered work surfaces are not available.
  • The height of the lowest work surface is 93cm.
  • The kitchen does not have an unobstructed floor space of at least 150cm × 150cm.
  • There is not a knee recess under a work surface.
  • There are some low level cupboards.

Standard Shower

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located on each floor.
  • There is not level access to the shower facilities.
  • There is a step into each shower cubicle of between 17cm and 25cm.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Ambulant)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor directly ahead as you enter.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is light.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 74cm.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 109cm x 236cm (3ft 7in x 7ft 9in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is not a lateral transfer space.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail.
    • The 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 rail(s) is/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 contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
    • 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 108cm (3ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) 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 (2ft 5in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 109cm (3ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is low.
    • There is not a hand dryer.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located on each floor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the lowered wash basin is 81cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.