Skip to main content

Visual & Performing Arts Academy

Bede Campus, Durham Road, Sunderland, SR3 4AH

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

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)

  • Car Park View
    • 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.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by staff, students, visitors and Blue Badge holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • 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)

  • Entrance View
    • 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).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • 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

  • 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 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 good 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)

  • Location and Access View
    • 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.
  • Service and Menus View
    • 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.
    • Plastic/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.
  • Service Counter(s) View
    • 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.
  • Tables and Seating View
    • 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

  • Steps View
    • 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.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Ground Floor - With Accessible Shower - Front Right Corridor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • 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 good.
    • 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 good.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • 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 good.
    • 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 good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • 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).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • 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 poor.
    • 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 poor.
    • 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 good.
    • 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 good.
  • Accessible Shower View
    • 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 good.
    • There is a vertical grab rail for the shower.
    • The colour contrast between the vertical grab rail(s) for the shower and wall is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm for the shower.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
  • Comments View
    • There are other accessible toilets on all floors of the building but they do not have accessible showers.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Second Floor - Front Right Corridor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • 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 good.
    • 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 good.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • 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 good.
    • 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 good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • 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).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • 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 poor.
    • 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 poor.
    • 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 good.
    • 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 good.
  • Comments View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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).
  • Comments View
    • 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).
  • Comments View
    • 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.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • 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 good.
    • 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.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • 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 good.
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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/.