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Lord Thomson Hall

Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4YJ

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Access Guide

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Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the city.
  • This venue is situated in the Riccarton Campus.
  • The nearest mainline station is Curriehill.
  • Comments View
    • The Riccarton Campus is located on the western edge of Edinburgh.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Parking is not free for all users.
  • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the front of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do need to be booked in advance.
    • There is/are 2 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 300cm x 500cm (9ft 10in x 16ft 5in).
    • Designated parking bays are not clearly marked.
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
    • The car park surface is block paving.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The details here are of the designed bays outside the front of the building.
    • Standard parking in Car Park J. A permit is required to park here.
    • Visitor parking is located in Car Parks A and B.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The door(s) is / are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 168cm (5ft 6in).
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 164cm (5ft 5in).

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp/slope is easy.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2.
    • There are 14 steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the stairwell on all floors.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • There are further staircases throughout the building.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the entrance foyer.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1-2.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 13m (14yd 8in) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 89cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 106cm x 137cm (3ft 6in x 4ft 6in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.

Accommodation

  • Location of Accessible Accommodation View
    • The establishment provides 2 accessible accommodation facilities with an ensuite and/or separate accessible bathroom.
    • The accessible facilities are located to the left as you enter.
    • There is level access from an accessible entrance.
    • The room number viewed was G .02.
    • The width of the door to the room is 76cm (2ft 6in).
    • Light switches are within 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • There is not a functional emergency alarm in the room.
    • It is tied up and out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
    • Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with residents in accessible accommodation.
  • Accessible Bathroom View
    • The information relates to the ensuite.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The width of the door to the bathroom is 76cm (2ft 6in).
    • The door weight is light.
    • There is not a functional emergency alarm in the bathroom.
    • It is tied up and out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
    • The door is locked by a (no lock).
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 43cm (1ft 5in).
    • 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 in height.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin is 83cm (2ft 9in).
    • There is not a mixer tap.
    • The tap type is push.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • The measurement of lateral transfer space is 60cm (1ft 12in).
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet pan the wall mounted grab rails are on the left.
    • There are mirrors.
    • The mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • Disposal facilities are not available.
  • Bath and Shower View
    • There is not a bath.
  • Wheel In Shower View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head height is adjustable.
    • The type of shower controls used are lever.
    • The shower seat is flip down.
    • The shower seat height is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There are handrails available.
  • Colour contrast and lighting in accessible rooms View
    • The colour contrast between the external room door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The colour contrast between the internal room door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between external ensuite / bathroom door and wall is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Colour contrast and lighting in accessible bathroom View
    • The colour contrast between the internal bathroom door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor in the bathroom is good.
    • The colour contrast between the drop down rails and wall is fair.
    • The colour contrast between the grab rails and wall is fair.
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Auxiliary Aids - General View
    • Some of the rooms have auxiliary aids for people with sensory impairments.
    • Available auxiliary aids include flashing alarms and vibrating pillows.
    • Other auxiliary aids available are flashing door bells.
    • Flashing fire alarms are in rooms.
    • Vibrating fire alarms are available on request.
    • The accommodation does not provide other auxiliary aids for people with mobility impairments.
  • Ground Floor Rooms View
    • Ground floor rooms do have level access.
    • Adjoining rooms are not available.
  • Standard Rooms on Other Floors View
    • There are standard rooms on other floors.
    • The other floors can be accessed by lift.
  • Comments View
    • There is also a shared bathroom next to the 2 adapted rooms, which has a bath and toilet.

Accessible Toilet

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located directly to the right of the main entrance as you enter.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 199cm x 280cm (6ft 6in x 9ft 2in).
    • There is a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is not a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 5in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • 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 126cm (4ft 2in).
    • 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 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 79cm (2ft 7in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There is a similar, but smaller cubicle for the female toilet.
    • These toilets are also used as standard toilets.
    • There is a larger accessible toilet with a bath to the rear of the building.
    • The bath offers grab rails and is 55cm high.

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.
  • Staff are Text Relay aware.