Access Guide
Introduction
- Ground Floor - Rooms 0.1 - 0.13
First Floor - Rooms 1.1-1.3 and Seminar Room
Second Floor - 2.1 - 2.8.
Getting Here
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By Road
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- The Central Area is located on the south side of the city centre. Traffic congestion can be a problem, and parking is strictly controlled. Options to driving into the city centre include Park & Ride tram and bus car parks at the edges of the city.
- A number of University car parks are located in the Central Area. The Transport and Parking Office of the University of Edinburgh manages parking at the University. University car parks are for the use of permit holders only, and are subject to the university’s parking regulations. Permits are available for visitors to the university.
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By Bus
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- Buses from all over the city travel to the Central Area of the university. The University also provides a shuttle bus for staff and students between the Central Area and the King's Buildings. The majority of buses are operated by Lothian Buses. Up to the minute "real time" bus timetable information is now available at the majority of bus stops across the city. Information panels provided next to the majority of bus stops let you know when the next bus services will be arriving, or if there has been a delay.
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By Train
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- The Central Area of the university is 0.7 miles from Edinburgh Waverley Station. It should be noted that some of the walking routes may feature paths with steep gradients or steps given the landscape. Edinburgh has rail links throughout the UK. The East Coast mainline, which links Edinburgh and London King’s Cross, is the UK's fastest intercity railway: you can travel between the cities in around 4 hours. A sleeper service runs between London Euston and Edinburgh Waverley 6 nights a week. There are intercity links to other cities including Glasgow (45 minutes), and York, Newcastle or Aberdeen (all 2 hours). All trains arrive at Waverley Station in the centre of the city, although some trains also stop at Haymarket, which is a smaller station in the West End.
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By Tram
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- The Edinburgh tram service runs from Edinburgh Airport in the west, to York Place in the east end of the city centre, presently being extended to Leith north east of the city centre. The nearest stop to the Central Campus Area is Princes Street. The nearest stop to the Lauriston Campus and the ECA buildings, or to the Western General site, is West End.
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Useful Links
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- To see the university's webpage for travel by public transport to the Central Area and relevant links please use this link.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- To see the university's webpage for driving and parking information for the Central Area and relevant links please use this link.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- To view the university's campus maps and walking information please use this link.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Useful Information
- To see more information on The Advice Place please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 0131 650 9225.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on The Student Disability Service please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 0131 650 6828.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Student Recruitment and Admissions please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 0131 650 4360.
- To see more information on Accommodation please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 0131 667 1971.
- Email: [email protected].
- Staff receive Disability Equality Training.
Site/Campus Car Park
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Car Park
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- The car park is located within the central courtyard off Teviot Place.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Old Medical School.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park surface is block paving.
- Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted but have no markings.
- There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
- The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by Blue Badge holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- Signs are not provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
- To see more information on parking policies please click here (opens new tab).
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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 sloped access to the car park from the Teviot Place.
- This car park is clearly signposted from the Old Medical School.
- The nearest designated bay is 18m (19yd 2ft) from the Doorway 1 entrance.
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Comments
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- Parking here is by prior arrangement only.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located to the front right of the building.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
- A key card is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the card reader/lock is 130cm (4ft 3in).
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- 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 60cm (1ft 12in).
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Second Set of Doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 120cm (3ft 11in).
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
- The ramp/slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- The width of the ramp is 125cm (4ft 1in).
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Step(s)
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- There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
- The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
- There is / are 1 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 clearly marked.
- The step(s) is / are deep (18cm+).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
Outside Access (East Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located to the east of the building.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 55cm (1ft 10in).
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Second Set of Doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 116cm (3ft 10in).
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
- The ramp/slope is located on approach to the building.
- The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
- The ramp is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on the right going up the ramp.
- The width of the ramp is 125cm (4ft 1in).
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Comments
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- The details above are for the ramp shown in photograph 4.
- There is also an easy ramp in front of the doors that has handrails on both sides (as shown in photographs 5 and 6).
- At the first set of doors, the left door is locked. Were it unlocked, the width would be 110cm.
- External access to the main entrance from here is via 5 medium steps without handrails and an easy slope (as shown in photographs 7 and 8).
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is step free access throughout the ground floor.
- There is/are 6 clearly marked step(s), with handrails on both sides, for access to the west side of the building from the west entrance.
- The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
- There is an enclosed platform lift which overcomes the steps.
- The steps can be seen in photograph 1.
- There are not 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 clearly written directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
- 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.
Lift (Ground Floor Lift)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located in the middle of the ground floor.
- The lift is a platform lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2 and 3.
- Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
- The platform lift accesses a small level change.
- The lift is approximately 21m (22yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The lift door is manual, heavy and opens outwards.
- The dimensions of the lift are 150cm x 109cm (4ft 11in x 3ft 7in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does not 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 bright.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2 and 3.
- The stairs are located to the right on entrance.
- The stairs are approximately 3m from the main entrance.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the stairwell on the ground floor, on the first floor and on the second floor.
- The lighting levels are bright.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
- There is a landing.
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Comments
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- There are handrails on both sides of the stairs between the first and the second floor.
Toilet with Adaptations
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the ground floor lift.
- This accessible toilet is located to the east of the building on the ground floor.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
- This is by lift.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 177cm x 225cm (5ft 10in x 7ft 5in).
- There is not 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 96cm (3ft 2in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush, however it is not 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 and general domestic waste disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is a mirror.
- Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 5in).
- 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).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- 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 poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are bright.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Location of Standard Toilet(s)
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- There are female standard toilets facilities on the ground floor and the first floor.
- There are male standard toilets facilities on the ground floor and the first floor.
- There are shared standard toilets facilities on the second floor and the third floor.
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Standard Toilet Surveyed
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- A male standard toilet was surveyed.
- The toilet surveyed is located to the east of the building.
- 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 12m from the ground floor 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.