Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Vernon Tower

Stockport College, Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK1 3UQ

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

Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free.
  • Vernon Tower has 1 entrance. The entrance provides step-free access to the ground floor via a steep slope.
  • The entrance is signed as University Centre.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth.
  • There are no resting areas along the circulation or in the lobby areas.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided in some corridor and lobby areas.
  • There are double automatic doors from the entrance lobby to the ground floor corridors.There are manual doors in some corridor and lobby areas.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground and fourth floor.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • The male step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground, first and third floors.
    • The female step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground, first and second floors.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • 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 steep gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 2 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 steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 174cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located at the front of the building.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The ground, first, second, third and fourth floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have low visual contrast markings and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located in the centre of the building.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and automatic doors.
  • The ground, first, second, third and fourth 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, Braille markings, a high visual contrast 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 102cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 189cm (width) x 171cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a low visual contrast.
  • 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.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor to the right as you enter via the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 4m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has 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 outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • The door has a locking handle (with a RADAR key to access).
    • 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 150cm (width) x 238cm (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 81cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula 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 are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have varying visual contrasts.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high 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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 106cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 126cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 95cm from the floor.
    • 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 nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 164cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.