Access Guide
Summary
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Building
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- Services / Facilities within the building include; Staff Offices and Meeting Rooms.
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Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
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- Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor within the reception lobby.
- Female standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor to the rear of the building.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor to the rear of the building.
Getting Here
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By Road
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- The College of St Hild and St Bede is located off the Gilesgate Roundabout on the A690, which links Junction 62 of the A1(M) with the City Centre.
- There are several car parks located throughout the College site, which require a permit to park. Permits can be issued to visitors on request.
- For more information on how to get to the College please click here (opens new tab).
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By Bus
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- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the campus.
- Bus routes 20 and X20, which run between Durham and Sunderland, stop on Leazes Road, just outside the College.
- For more information on the bus routes 20 and X20 to the College please click here (opens new tab).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Durham.
- Durham Railway Station is located approximately 1 mile to the east of the College, on the far side of the city centre and River Wear. Buses run from outside the station to the city centre.
- For more information on trains to Durham please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on Durham Railway Station please click here (opens new tab).
- AccessAble Related Links View
Useful Information
- Disability Support is located on the ground floor in the Palatine Centre, and provides information, advice and guidance to prospective and current students who disclose a disability as well as students who think they may have a disability.
The service is part of the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate. - To see more information on Disability Support please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Student Support and Wellbeing please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Applying To Durham please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on College Accommodation and Facilities please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Accommodation and Allocations Office please click here (opens new tab).
Building Parking
- The building does have its own dedicated parking.
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Building Car Park
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- The car park can be used by permit holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- The car park is located in front of the building.
- 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 3 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 400cm x 590cm.
- The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side and the rear.
- The marked zone is 105cm wide.
- The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
- The nearest designated bay is 20m (21yd 2ft) from the Main entrance.
- The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
- The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does have tactile paving.
- The car park surface is concrete.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is a designated drop off point.
- There is a dropped kerb from the drop off point.
- The drop off point is located within the building car park as the bays are also used as drop off bays for the nursery.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building to the right.
- This entrance gives access to Pelaw DCAD Foundation.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Foundation'.
- There is ramped/sloped and stepped 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.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The exit push pad or push button is 93cm from floor level.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 114cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located at the bottom of the stairs leading from the car park to the tactile paving .
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the main entrance.
- There is/are 5 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are 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 both sides of the step(s).
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
Outside Access (Rear Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located to the rear of the building.
- This entrance gives access to toilets and stairwell to offices and teaching rooms.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is ramped/sloped and stepped access at this entrance.
- There is not 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 a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 126cm (4ft 2in).
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are light.
- The width of the door opening is 78cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located at the front of the rear entrance.
- There is/are 10 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the step(s).
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
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Comments
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- The first set of stairs have handrails on both sides, the stairs closer to the entrance do not have handrails.
- There is a walkway from the car park to the rear entrance via a ramp, the ramp is at a slight incline (photograph 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9).
Reception
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Reception
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- The reception point is located to the left as you enter via the main entrance.
- The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the main entrance.
- The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step-free access to the reception point.
- There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
- There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors at/behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
- The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
- The height of the reception counter is 93cm .
- There is not sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is not a lowered section of the counter.
- There is not a clear knee recess beneath the counter.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is a bell to attract attention.
- There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
- There is wayfinding signage available at/close to the reception.
- The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet.
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Reception Waiting Area
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- There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
- Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
- There are seats with armrests on both sides.
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is not step-free access throughout the majority of the building.
- There is stepped access to first floor offices and teaching rooms.
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Circulation
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- There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet and vinyl.
- There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Signage
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- Wayfinding signage is not provided.
- The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
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Safe Place(s)
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- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
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Audio
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- This venue does not play background music in communal areas.
- There is not a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.
Other Floors
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Stairs
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- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are located to the rear of the building.
- The stairs are approximately 3m from the rear entrance.
- The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
- 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 left 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 not provided on landings.
- The lighting levels at the steps are good.
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Other Information
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- The room(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are Offices, Teaching Rooms.
Accessible Toilet(s) (Right Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located within the reception area.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 4m (4yd 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, ‘Not All Disabilities Are Visible’ and pictorial 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 86cm.
- 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.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 151cm x 225cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 5in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The height of the light switch/pull cord is 114cm from floor level.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin.
- 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 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).
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Additional Fixtures
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- 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.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 96cm (3ft 2in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- 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 72cm (2ft 4in).
- 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 a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 98cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 112cm (3ft 8in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 109cm (3ft 7in).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is medium.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located to the rear of the building.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 6m from the rear entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is Braille, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 78cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are good.