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Williamson Building

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

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Access Guide

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Overview

Opening Times

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

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building from Oxford Road is step-free with some uneven surfaces.
    The approach to the building from Brunswick Park has a long slope with a very easy gradient, or three unmarked steps with handrails on both sides going up.
  • There are three entrances to the Williamson Building.
    The most accessible entrance is off Oxford Road.
  • The accessible entrance is named the Williamson Entrance and is signed Williamson Building.
  • The Williamson Entrance provides step-free level access to the building.
  • There are two alternative stepped entrances to the building off Brunswick Park.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access via lift throughout the building on all floors.
  • There is a platform lift to overcome steps to access rooms G20, G33, G35, and G37.
    There are 3 steps to access the rear of Lecture Theatre G.03 on the first floor.
  • Floor surfaces along circulation areas are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
    There is carpeted flooring in some corridors, some of which is patterned.
    There is wooden flooring in some communal areas which is patterned and shiny.
  • There is seating generally without armrests and bench seating available.
    There is a student common room third floor with a mixture of seating generally without armrests.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • Most circulation routes have motion sensor or push pad activated automatic doors.
    There are some manual doors along circulation routes.
    Some circulation routes require a key card or key pad code for access.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • There are 6 toilets with adaptations.
  • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor, and floors 1, 3, 4, and 5.
  • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
  • There are toilets with adaptations with a transfer space on the left hand side on the ground floor, and floors 1, 4, and 5.
    There are toilets with adaptations with a transfer space on the right hand side on the ground floor, and floor 3.
  • Ambulant toilet facilities are located on all floors.
  • The female toilet facilities are located on all floors from the ground floor upwards, except floor 6.
  • The male toilet facilities are located on all floors, except floor 5.
  • Standard shower facilities are located on the first and third floors.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Williamson Entrance)

  • This entrance is located to the left of the building facing away from Oxford Road.
  • 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 ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 7 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 150cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.

Reception

  • The reception is located on the left after the Williamson Entrance.
  • The distance from the Williamson Entrance is 10m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 76cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has glazed screens 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.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
  • The reception is open during normal building opening hours.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located in the main stairwell after the Williamson Entrance, on the left .
  • The distance from the Williamson Entrance is 19m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The basement, ground, 1, 2, 3 and 4 floors 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 low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 97cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 173cm (width) x 99cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • There are two further lifts to the right and to the far right of the building.
    The lift to the right of the building is 58m from the Williamson Entrance.
    The lift to the far right of the building is 91m from the Williamson Entrance.

Stairs (Stairwell 1)

  • The stairs surveyed are located straight ahead from the Williamson Entrance.
  • The basement, ground, 1, 2, 3 and 4 floors 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 handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the step is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Stairwell 2 accesses the basement and ground floor, and floors 1, 2, 3, and 4.
    Stairwells 3 and 4 access the basement and ground floor, and floors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located straight ahead from the Williamson Entrance, on the left.
    • The distance from the Williamson Entrance is 22m.
    • 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 85cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 178cm (width) x 192cm (depth) and there is not 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 113cm (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.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 86cm 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 91cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 80cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the right of the building.
    • The distance from the Williamson Entrance is 59m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a lift and step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 92cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 250cm (width) x 280cm (depth) and there is 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 184cm (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 low visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 52cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • 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 82cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 76cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low 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 98cm 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 118cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.