Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include Lecture Theatre, cafe, film screening room, dance and drama studios, classrooms, music practise spaces, recording studios, photography studio and a dark room.
Opening Times
- Monday 08:30 - 20:00.
- Tuesday 08:30 - 20:00.
- Wednesday 08:30 - 20:00.
- Thursday 08:30 - 17:30.
- Friday 08:30 - 17:30.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Location
- The venue is situated outside the centre of the city.
- This venue is situated in Sunderland.
- The nearest National Rail station is Sunderland.
- The nearest underground station is University.
Site/Campus Car Park (Bede Campus Site/Campus Car Park)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located at the rear right of the Campus.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Bede and Barnes Buildings.
- 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 227cm x 475cm (7ft 5in x 15ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by staff, students, visitors and Blue Badge holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
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Car Park Access
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- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access to the car park from the Bede and Barnes Buildings.
- This car park is not clearly signposted from the Bede and Barnes Buildings.
- The nearest designated bay is 100m (109yd 1ft) from the Bede Building Main Entrance.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front right of the building.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- 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 single.
- The width of the door opening is 108cm (3ft 7in).
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Second Set of Doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The width of the door opening is 108cm (3ft 7in).
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
- There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
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Getting Around
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- There is not clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
- There is no 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 high colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors.
- The lighting levels are varied.
- This building does not play background music.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Opening Times (Starbucks Cafe)
- Monday 08:00 - 16:00.
- Tuesday 08:00 - 20:00.
- Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00.
- Thursday 08:00 - 20:00.
- Friday 08:00 - 15:00.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Eating and Drinking (Starbucks Café)
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Location and Access
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- The following information is for the café.
- The café is located on the ground floor at the front right of the building, in the foyer.
- There is step-free access to the café.
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Service and Menus
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- Tables cannot be booked in advance.
- There is a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
- Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
- Menu types include; written wall menus.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
- Takeaway cups are available.
- Adapted cups are not available.
- Adapted cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- This area does not play background music.
- There is not a hearing assistance system .
- There is a portable card machine available for payment.
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Service Counter(s)
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- The height of the counter is 88cm.
- The height of the lowered section at the counter is 76cm.
- There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered section of the counter.
- There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
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Tables and Seating
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- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There are some tables which are accessible to wheelchair users.
- The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 71cm.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests on both sides.
- The type of flooring in this area is tiles.
- There is flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
Theatre
- There are not designated spaces for wheelchair users.
- Wheelchairs are left with you.
- A companion may not sit with you.
- This venue does not provide audio described performances.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There is not a wheelchair to borrow.
- Concessions are not available.
- Assistance dogs are allowed in the auditorium.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1 and 2.
- The stairs are located ahead on entering via the main entrance.
- The stairs are approximately 15m 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.
- There are similar stairs at the rear of the building.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the right as you enter.
- 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.
- The weight limit for the lift is 1800kg.
- The lift is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main 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 235cm x 160cm (7ft 9in x 5ft 3in).
- 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 enhancement 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 good.
Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - With Accessible Shower - Front Right Corridor - Left Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- The accessible toilet was out of use at the time of the survey.
- This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor, in the front right corridor, to the right as you enter the building.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 235cm x 248cm (7ft 9in x 8ft 2in).
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 170cm (5ft 7in).
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are sanitary and general waste (with lid) disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Additional Fixtures
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- 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 within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- 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 94cm (3ft 1in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is low.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) 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 74cm (2ft 5in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 84cm.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 104cm (3ft 5in).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is high.
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Accessible Shower
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- The shower does have an unobstructed minimum 150cm x 150cm turning space.
- There is a shower unit with a detachable shower head.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The adjustable shower head cannot be placed between 105cm and 185cm when mounted.
- There is a flip-down/tip-up seat for the shower.
- The seat/chair is not height adjustable.
- The height of the flip-down/tip-up or fixed seat is 54cm (1ft 9in).
- Horizontal and/or dropdown rails are available on both sides of the shower seat.
- The colour contrast between the shower rails and wall is high.
- There is a vertical grab rail for the shower.
- The colour contrast between the vertical grab rail(s) for the shower and wall is high.
- There is an emergency alarm for the shower.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
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Comments
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- There are other accessible toilets on all floors of the building but they do not have accessible showers.
Toilet with Adaptations (Second Floor - Front Right Corridor - Left Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located on the second floor, in the front right corridor.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the lift.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet, via lift.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 91cm (2ft 12in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 221cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 3in).
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin and a waste disposal bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are sanitary and general waste (with lid) disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- 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 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is low.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) 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 75cm (2ft 6in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 84cm.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 101cm (3ft 4in).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is high.
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Comments
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- There are other similar accessible toilets available on the ground and first floors.
Standard Shower
- Shower facilities are available.
- The shower(s) surveyed is/are located on the second floor, towards the rear of the building.
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Comments
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- There is a deep (24cm) step to access the standard shower, created by the shower tray.
Standard Changing Room (Female)
- There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
- The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located on the second floor, within the female standard toilets, in the front right corridor.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the lift.
- There is level access to the standard changing room(s).
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Comments
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- There are standard toilets within this changing room.
- Please see the standard toilet section in this guide for more information.
Standard Changing Room (Male)
- There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
- The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located within the standard toilet on the second floor, in the front corridor.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the lift.
- There is level access to the standard changing room(s).
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Comments
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- There are standard toilets within this changing room.
- Please see the standard toilet section in this guide for more information.
Standard Toilet(s) (Second Floor and Ground Floor)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located on the second floor, in the front corridor, to the right as you exit the lift.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 10m from the lift.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
- There is a/are horizontal wall mounted rail(s) on the left as you face the toilet.
- There is a/are vertical wall mounted rail(s) on the left as you face the toilet.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
- Lighting levels are good.
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Toilet Facilities 2
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- The female and male toilets are located on the ground floor in the rear right corridor, just past Starbucks Café.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 20m from the main entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
- There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
- There is a/are horizontal wall mounted rail(s) on the right as you face the toilet.
- There is a/are vertical wall mounted rail(s) on the right as you face the toilet.
- The information above relates to the female toilet. There is a different configuration of rails in the male toilet.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is lever.
- Lighting levels are good.
- The female toilets on the ground floor have one ambulant cubicle with a horizontal rail on the door and a horizontal and vertical grab rail on the wall to the right.
The male standard toilets have one cubicle that has a horizontal rail on the door only.
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 generally on duty.
- Staff are trained to BSL level 3.
- Staff are Text Relay aware.
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Comments
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- Please see below for some useful contact information:
- Mindful Employer
- 01392 208833
- http://www.mindfulemployer.net/
- Action For Blind People
- 0800 915 4666
- http://www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk
- RNIB
- 0845 766 9999
- http://www.rnib.org.uk
- MIND
- 0845 766 0163
- http://www.mind.org.uk/
- SKILL : National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
- 0800 328 5050
- http://www.skill.org.uk/.