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Science Centre

Staffordshire University, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 2DF

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Access Guide

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Introduction

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 08:00 - 17:00.
  • Friday 08:00 - 17:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Useful Information

Getting Here

Site/Campus Car Park (Car Park 3)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in the centre of the campus on the Leek Road side.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Stanley Matthews Sports Centre and the Brindley 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 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 480cm x 550cm (15ft 9in x 18ft 1in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
    • Signs are clearly presented.
  • 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 Stanley Matthews Sports Centre.
    • The nearest designated bay is 45m (49yd 8in) from the Stanley Matthews Sports Centre main entrance.

Outside Access (Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 125cm (4ft 1in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.

Counter (Student Connect)

  • The desk is 8m (8yd 2ft) from the entrance.
  • Student Connect is located to the left as you enter.
  • The counter is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this counter.
  • The lighting levels in this area are moderate to good.
  • The reception counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
    • 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 and pictorial 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 some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There is high 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.

Lecture Theatre(s) (Lecture Theatres 1)

  • Directional and locational signage for the lecture theatre(s) is not available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible.
  • The corridor outside the lecture theatre(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the lecture theatre(s).
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the lecture theatre(s).
  • The door(s) for the lecture theatre(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There are designated spaces for wheelchair users within the lecture theatre(s).
  • The designated spaces for wheelchairs users are located at the front.
  • There is level access to the designated seating from an entrance.
  • There is space for an assistance dog.
  • There is step free access to the speaker's area at the front of the lecture theatre(s).
  • The height of the speaker's desk/table is 90cm.
  • The speaker's desk/table is not height adjustable.
  • There is staggered seating within the lecture theatre(s).
  • The steps to the staggered seating do have handrails.
  • The steps have handrails on the left going up.
  • There is a hearing assistance system for the lecture theatre(s) available on request.
  • There is a visual fire alarm beacon in the lecture theatre(s).
  • There is fixed furniture within the lecture theatre(s).
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre within the lecture theatre(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 75cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the lecture theatre(s).
  • Floor coverings in the lecture theatre(s) are even with no trip hazards.
  • Comments View
    • Lecture theatre 2 is to the right of lecture theatre 1 and is similar.
    • The designated area for wheelchair users is shown in photograph 5.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2 and 3.
    • The stairs are located on the right side of the building.
    • The stairs are approximately 65m from the accessible entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to 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.
    • There are individual, similar staircases between each floor in the middle of the building which do not require you to go through any manual doors to access.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located on the right side of the building.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2 and 3.
  • Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, heavy, double doors to access the lift lobby on all floors.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 1275kg.
  • The lift is approximately 55m (60yd 5in) from the accessible entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 145cm x 195cm (4ft 9in x 6ft 5in).
  • 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 not 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 medium.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the right side of the building, to the left of the entrance to the lifts and stairwell.
    • There are similar accessible toilets on floors 1, 2 and 3.
    • 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 lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 200cm x 260cm (6ft 7in x 8ft 6in).
    • 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 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • 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, non-infectious waste and open waste paper bin 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 49cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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 95cm.
  • 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 good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are male and female standard toilets facilities on the ground floor, the first floor, the second floor and the third floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A female standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the right side of the building, to the left of the entrance to the lifts and stairwell.
    • There is a female standard toilet in the same location.
    • There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 30m from the entrance.
    • There is a/are cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • There are vertical and horizontal grab rails on the right hand side only.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.