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Whitla Hall

Queen's University Belfast, University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NN

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include a hall and changing rooms.

Getting Here

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by Blue Badge holders and staff permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located to the left as you face 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 1 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 18m (19yd 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 not have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • The name of the car park is Botanic Gardens Car Park.
    • The car park is located off Botanic Gardens.
  • 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 (Botanic Gardens Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on Botanic Gardens.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Administration Building.
    • 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 6 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 390cm x 430cm (12ft 10in x 14ft 1in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by staff, visitors and Blue Badge holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are not provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is sloped access to the car park from the Administration Building.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the Administration Building.
    • The nearest designated bay is 15m (16yd 1ft) from the Library Building.
  • Comments View
    • Taxis are permitted to enter the car park for drop-off only.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 176cm (5ft 9in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 132cm (4ft 4in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located either side of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.
    • The width of the ramp is 130cm (4ft 3in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 6 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.

Outside Access (Side Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the left of the building.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 81cm (2ft 8in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) both ways.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 65cm (2ft 2in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 7 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the ground floor.
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
    • The stairs are located on both sides as you enter the building.
    • The stairs are approximately 6m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the Great Hall seating area.

Other Floors (Rear Stairs)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and LG.
    • The stairs are located at the rear of the building, either side of the stairs.
    • The stairs are approximately 28m from the main entrance.
    • There are 5 steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, double doors to access the stairwell on the ground floor.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is not a landing.
    • There is another staircase at that can only be accessed via these stairs that allow you to access the stage, shown in photograph 3.

Lift (Rear Stair Lift)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located at the rear of the building, to the right hand side of the stage.
  • The lift is a stair lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G and LG.
  • The lift is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 100cm x 140cm (3ft 3in x 4ft 7in).
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Lift (Stair Lift to the Stage)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the corridor behind the stage.
  • The lift is a stair lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG and S.
  • The lift is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the rear stair lift.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 100cm x 140cm (3ft 3in x 4ft 7in).
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Standard Changing Room (Male Changing Room)

  • There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
  • The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located on the left hand side as you enter the building.
  • The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Great Hall.
  • There is not level access to the standard changing room(s).
  • Comments View
    • There is a female changing room located directly opposite this one, on the right hand side as you enter.

Level Change (Access to Standard Changing Rooms and Toilets)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located in the entrance to the changing room.
  • There is/are 5 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are bright.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up.

Standard Changing Room (Shared Changing Rooms)

  • There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
  • The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located at the rear of the building, on lower ground floor.
  • The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the rear stair lift.
  • The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the stair lift to the stage.
  • There is not level access to the standard changing room(s).

Accessible Toilet (Ground Floor - Left Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 28m (30yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the main hall on the left hand side.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 93cm (3ft 1in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 260cm x 185cm (8ft 6in x 6ft 1in).
    • 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 left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 200cm (6ft 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 a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • 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 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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).
    • 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).
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 83cm.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • There is a wall-mounted bed within this accessible toilets.
    • The bed is fixed and has a height of 78cm.

Standard Toilet(s) (Male Changing Rooms)

  • There are male toilets located within the standard changing rooms.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the left hand side of the male changing room.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 12m from the main entrance.
    • There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.

Standard Toilet(s) (Shared Changing Room Toilets)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are shared standard toilets facilities on the lower ground floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A shared standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located within one of the changing rooms at the rear of the building.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 6m from the rear stair lift.
    • There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.