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Schuster Building

The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL

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Access Guide

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Overview

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Tuesday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Wednesday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Thursday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Friday 08:30 - 18:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is on a slope with a very easy gradient.
  • There is a single accessible entrance into the Schuster Building off Brunswick Park.
  • The accessible entrance is not named (signed as Schuster Building).
  • The accessible entrance gives access to the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • It is possible to bypass all steps in the building via standard lifts, a platform lift on the ground floor and a stair lift on the first floor.
  • There are four steps on the ground floor to access the right hand side of the building, including the main lifts and stairs, and the annexe.
    There is a platform lift to overcome these steps.
  • There are four steps to the rear left of the building to access rooms G14, G16, G18, G23 and G24, on the ground floor.
    These steps can be overcome via the platform lift and main lift lobby on the ground floor.
  • There is a stair lift to overcome 10 steps for access to room 1.15 on the first floor.
  • There is a mixture of wood block, vinyl, tiles and carpet on the ground floor.
    All other floors' surfaces are vinyl or tiles, with carpet in the library.
    All wood block, vinyl and tiled floor surfaces may be shiny.
  • There is seating available throughout the building, including within the main lobby area on the ground floor, and in the faculty areas, teaching spaces on all floors, and the library.
    Seating consists of chairs with and without armrests, stools, armchairs, and sofas.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided in circulation routes and lobby areas to assist people in finding their way around.
  • All doors between the lift lobby and main stairwell open automatically.
    There are some manual doors off the lift lobby and main stairwell, as well as along circulation corridors.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • There are 6 toilets with adaptations.
  • The toilet with adaptations is located on the ground floor, and floors 2, 3, 4, and 6.
  • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
  • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in some standard toilets on the ground floor, and floors 3, 5 and 6.
  • The female toilet facilities are located on all floors from the ground floor upwards, except floor 4.
  • The male toilet facilities are located on all floors, except level 4.
  • The gender neutral toilet facilities are located on the ground floor in the accessible toilet in The Error Bar, and on floor 4.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking is available .
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located off Dover Street.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • There is a swipe card barrier to access this car park.
      The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 55m from the accessible entrance to the Schuster Building.
      The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 80m from the accessible entrance to the Zochonis Building.
      The most accessible route to the Zochonis Building has slopes with a slight gradient and bollards.

Entrance (Accessible)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, off Brunswick Park.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 147cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 90cm.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 90cm.
  • The width of the opening is 146cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 95cm.

Reception

  • The reception is located on the right after the first set of entrance doors.
  • The distance from the first set of entrance doors is 3m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 73cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has windows and patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The reception is open during normal building opening hours.

Lift (Ground Floor Platform)

  • The lift surveyed is located on the right after the accessible entrance.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 24m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have a low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 89cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 99cm (width) x 148cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have Braille markings, a high visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit and a visual floor indicator.

Lift (Main)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right of the building.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 56m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has a platform lift and automatic doors.
  • All floors (basement, ground floor, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7) are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 108cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 208cm (width) x 158cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairs (Stairwell 1)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right of the building.
  • All floors (basement, ground floor, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7) can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail extends horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - The Error Bar - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located ahead and left after the accessible entrance.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 89cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 144cm (width) x 212cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 81cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 90cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 71cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 102cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 103cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Lift Lobby - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the right of the building, in the main lift lobby.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 66m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has automatic doors and a platform lift.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards automatically via a push pad and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
    • The door has a push pad lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 148cm (width) x 236cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 83cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 95cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 98cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 108cm and 152cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.

Toilet with Adaptations (Second Floor - Lift Lobby - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located within the main lift lobby on the second floor.
    • The distance from the centre lift in the bank of lifts is 4m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift, a platform lift and automatic doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards automatically via a push pad and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
    • The door has a push pad lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 180cm (width) x 220cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 112cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 103cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 98cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 98cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 106cm and 150cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.