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Blizard Institute and Centre of the Cell

Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, Whitechapel, London, E1 2AT

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • The Blizard Institute has two entrances whilst the Centre of the Cell has one entrance.
    All three entrances provide step-free level access to the ground floor.
    There are sliding automatic doors available at all entrances.
  • All entrances are signed as 'Blizard Institute'.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth with some having a shiny finish, or carpeted and smooth.
  • There are resting areas in some lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Overhead and wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors to enter the link bridge between the Blizard Institute and the Centre of the Cell.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor and floor 1 of the Blizard Institute.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor of the Blizard Institute.
    • The female step-free toilet facilities are located on floor -1 of the Blizard Institute.
    • The male toilet facilities are located between floor -1 and floor G of the Blizard Institute.

Parking

Entrance (Blizard Institute)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the Blizard Institute.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 178cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.

Reception (Blizard Institute)

  • The reception is located ahead and to the left as you enter the Blizard Institute.
  • The distance from the Blizard Institute entrance is 5m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 105cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Lift (Blizard Institute)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left as you enter the Blizard Institute entrance.
  • The distance from the Blizard Institute entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Floors -1, ground and 1 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 91cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 108cm (width) x 138cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Blizard Institute - Floor 1 - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on floor 1, to the right after exiting the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 11m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 89cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 158cm (width) x 235cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 91cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 103cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 125cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 96cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Stairs (Centre of the Cell)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right as you enter the Centre of the Cell entrance.
  • Floors ground - 1 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Counter (Centre of the Cell - Security)

  • The counter is located to the right as you enter the Centre of the Cell entrance.
  • The distance from the Centre of the Cell entrance is 1m.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 117cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • The counter has windows and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.