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Founders West

Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4AL

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Access Guide

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Accommodation Summary

  • Parking and Transport View
    • The accommodation shares another buildings parking facilities.
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Residence Information View
    • This residence is made up of 11 blocks.
    • All buildings at this residence have similar access to the one surveyed.
    • The residence surveyed was Matheson.
  • Accessible Accommodation Information View
    • The accommodation has 143 rooms in total.
    • There is an/are accessible room(s) within the accommodation.
    • The accommodation has 1 accessible room(s) with accessible bathroom facilities.
    • There is/are 0 accessible room(s) with a ceiling track hoist.
    • There is/are 1 accessible room(s) with a wet room/wheel in shower.
    • There is/are 0 accessible room(s) with a bath.
    • There is not an/are not adjoining room(s) available for the accessible room(s).
    • Accessible toilet facilities are not available.
  • 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 level showers.
    • There is not an/are not adjoining room(s) available for the standard room(s).
  • Amenities and Communal Facilities View
    • Communal facilities within this residence include a launderette.
    • The communal facilities for the accommodation surveyed include; a kitchen and a dining area.
  • Additional Accessibility Aids View
    • There is not a deaf alert system available on request.
    • Bed raisers are not available on request.
    • Portable hoists are not available on request.

Getting Here

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.

Site/Campus Car Park (Car Park A)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located adjacent to St Helens Road.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Founders East, Lady Margaret and Main Building - Reception.
    • 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 3 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 300cm x 470cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays do not have a marked zone around them.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • 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 not clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is not a campus map available within the car park.
    • The nearest designated bay is 104m (113yd 2ft) from the Main Building - Reception building entrance.
  • Comments View
    • There are bollards on the route from the car park to the entrance.
    • The minimum distance between the bollards is 135cm.

Outside Access

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of Matheson block.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the Matheson block.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Matheson'.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 97cm (3ft 2in).
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 83cm.
    • 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 80cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • 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) automatically (towards you).
    • There is a push pad/button to enter and exit the main automatic doors.
    • The entry push pad or push button is 80cm from floor level.
    • The exit push pad or push button is 80cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is not step-free access throughout the majority of the building.
    • There is stepped access to rooms and facilities on the first and second floor.
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors/walkways.
    • There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
  • 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 venue does not play background music in communal areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.

Accommodation (Matheson 001)

  • Accessible Room Information View
    • This type of accessible room is located to the left on the ground floor in Matheson block within the Founders West residence.
    • There is step-free access to this type of accessible room.
    • 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 to the left on the ground floor in Matheson hall.
    • The accessible room surveyed at the time of the visit was 001.
    • There is step-free access to the accessible room surveyed.
    • The visual contrast between the external room door and wall is high.
    • The door is key fob activated.
    • The fob/card reader height is 102cm.
    • The width of the door is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There are not lowered spy holes available.
    • The visual contrast between the internal room door and wall is high.
    • The bed height is not adjustable.
    • The height of the bed is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The measurement between the bed base and floor is 28cm (11in).
    • 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 desk chair without armrests.
    • Wardrobes have been adapted to allow use from a seated position.
    • Light switches are not between 75cm and 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • Electric sockets are not 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 not 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 tied up and out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
    • The type of flooring is carpet.
    • The visual contrast between the room walls and floor is high.
    • The lighting levels in the room are moderate to good.
  • Bathroom Facilities View
    • This information relates to the ensuite.
    • The visual contrast between the external bathroom door and wall is low.
    • The bathroom door opens outwards.
    • The door is push pad or push button activated.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the door into the bathroom is 90cm.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
    • The visual contrast between the internal bathroom door and wall is high.
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 250cm x 200cm.
    • The bathroom does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The bathroom has a non-slip floor.
    • The visual contrast between the bathroom walls and floor is high.
    • There is not an emergency alarm within the bathroom.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the bathroom.
    • Disposal facilities are not available.
    • 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 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 72cm.
    • There are no vertical wall-mounted grab rails at the wash basin.
    • The tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • There is no soap available.
    • The lighting levels in the bathroom are low to moderate.
    • The washbasin is height adjustable.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat visual contrast is low.
    • 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 133cm (4ft 4in).
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • There is not a/are not wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • 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 81cm (2ft 8in).
    • The toilet has elbow pads on both sides to flush the toilet.
  • Shower Details View
    • The ensuite has a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The shower control type is push.
    • 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 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • 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 visual contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is low.

Kitchen/Dining Area (Ground Floor)

  • The kitchen/dining area is accessed by a single door with an opening width of less than 75cm.
  • The door is push pad activated.
  • Lowered work surfaces are available.
  • The height of the lowest work surface is 72cm.
  • 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 sink and the hob.
  • Knee recesses are at least 80cm wide.
  • There are low level cupboards.
  • The height of the dining table is 71cm.
  • There are dining chairs without armrests only.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located in the centre of the residence.
    • The stairs are approximately 3m from the Matheson block entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by the stairs are First and second floor.
    • 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 depth of the steps is 28cm.
    • 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 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.
    • 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.

Communal Facilities (Communal Laundrette)

  • Laundry Room View
    • The laundry room is located externally at the north-western end of Forest Court.
    • There is step-free access via ramp into the laundry room.
    • The ramp has a slight gradient.
    • The ramp is over 150cm wide with a handrail on the left going up.
    • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
    • The door is permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 78cm.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Facilities within the room include a washing machine and a tumble dryer.
    • The following machines are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user: washing machine.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.