Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include staff offices, laboratories and meeting room facilities.
The CRC Building is located within the Denis Howell Building. The Institute occupies most of the left hand side of the building from the accessible entrance on all floors. - Related link Dennis Howell Building.
- Https://www.accessable.co.uk/university-of-birmingham/access-guides/dennis-howell-building
Building Parking (CRC Building & Denis Howell Building - Main Entrance)
- The building does have its own dedicated parking.
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Building Car Park
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- The car park can be used by Blue Badge holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- The car park is located in front of the building.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- There is/are 3 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 300cm x 450cm (9ft 10in x 14ft 9in).
- The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
- The nearest designated bay is 17m (18yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not have tactile paving.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
Getting Here
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By Road
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- Approaching from the north west or south east along the M6: Leave at Junction 6 (signposted Birmingham Central) to join the A38(M). At the end of the motorway, keep to the right, go over a flyover, then through some underpasses to join the A38 Bristol Road. The University is on the right, two and a half miles from the city centre.
Approaching from the M42 north: Leave at Junction 8 to join the M6 northbound and follow the instructions above.
Approaching from the south west: Leave the M5 at Junction 4 (signposted Birmingham SW) to join the A38. The University is approximately eight miles from the motorway.
Approaching from the M40: It is easier to turn south on the M42 and leave at Junction 1, heading north on the A38 Bristol Road. The University is approximately eight miles from the motorway.
To access the Medical School and Blue Zone areas of the Campus, turn off the A38 onto New Fosse Way, signposted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and not the main turning for the University. New Fosse Way becomes Vincent Drive, and the building can be accessed via Mindelsohn Way, on the left past the main hospital site. - There is designated parking for Blue Badge Holders, available outside the Medical School. Route might not be accessible to all users. It maybe possible to park in the loading bay area, outside the accessible entrance, with prior arrangement.
- Approaching from the north west or south east along the M6: Leave at Junction 6 (signposted Birmingham Central) to join the A38(M). At the end of the motorway, keep to the right, go over a flyover, then through some underpasses to join the A38 Bristol Road. The University is on the right, two and a half miles from the city centre.
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By Bus
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- Nxbus numbers 48 and X20 Platinum, X21 Platinum and X22 Platinum run from the city centre and stop near to the building on the corner of Vincent Drive and Mindelsohn Way for the Blood Transfusion Centre. The building is approximately 100 metres from the bus stops, up a steep slope.
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By Train
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- From Birmingham New Street Station around six trains an hour call at University Station and take 8-10 minutes. The final destinations for trains are Bromsgrove, Redditch, Hereford and Cardiff Central. The building is a 5 minute walk from the University Station, via a steep slope.
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Useful Links
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- National Express West Midlands website.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- National Rail Enquiries for more information on trains to University and station information.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- More information on how to get to the Edgbaston Campus.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- AccessAble Related Links View
Useful Information
- To see more information on Edgbaston Campus Mobility Map please click here (opens new tab).
- This map shows the location of the Blue Badge parking bays and the accessible entrances to the buildings on Campus.
There is also an interactive map available on an app to download to your phone. For more information on this and links to other maps click here. - To see more information on Disability and Dyslexia Support please click here (opens new tab).
- Email: [email protected].
- The Student Disability Service is located in the Student Hub (see below).
- To see more information on Aston Webb Student Hub please click here (opens new tab).
- The Aston Webb Student Hub is located on the ground floor of the Aston Webb Building C Block.
Students can visit the Student Information Team here for advice and assistance on a wide range of issues, including Wellbeing, Fees and Financial Support, Examinations, Careers and Visas and Immigration. - To see more information on Admissions please click here (opens new tab).
- Information on undergraduate and postgraduate admissions.
- To see more information on Accommodation please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 0121 414 8000.
- Email: [email protected].
- The accommodation office, Living, is located on the ground floor of the University Centre.
- Staff are provided with disability awareness and equality training.
- There is not a dog toileting area on Campus.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is stepped access at this entrance.
- There is a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 140cm (4ft 7in).
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 140cm (4ft 7in).
- A key card is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the card reader/lock is 110cm (3ft 7in).
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 162cm (5ft 4in).
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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 8 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 not clearly marked.
- The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The handrails are on the left going up the step(s).
Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located to the rear of the building, in the loading bay area.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 136cm (4ft 6in).
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 136cm (4ft 6in).
- A key card is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the card reader/lock is 110cm (3ft 7in).
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 162cm (5ft 4in).
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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) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 76cm (2ft 6in).
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
- The ramp/slope is located in front of the accessible entrance, in the loading bay area.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
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Comments
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- This entrance is located within the loading bay area.
- There might not always be a clear pathway to the entrance due to vehicles accessing the loading bay.
Reception (Main Reception)
- The main reception is located to the right as you enter via the main entrance.
- The desk is 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step free access to this reception area.
- The lighting levels in the reception area are moderate to good.
- The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
- There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- The desk is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is step free access throughout the building.
- There are 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 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 all areas.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
- This building does not play background music.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
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Comments
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- There is a water dispenser and vending machine located within the kitchen and staff common area.
Other Floors (Stair 1 - Main)
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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 left as you enter via the main entrance.
- The stairs are approximately 5m from the main entrance.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the stairwell on all floors.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are deep (18cm+).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
Other Floors (Fire Escape)
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, 2, 3 and Final Exit.
- The stairs are located to the rear of the CRC Building.
- The stairs are approximately 24m from the lift.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- There are manual, single doors which are easy to open to access the stairwell from the first floor upwards.
- 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.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located just off the reception area.
- 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 not provided at lift landings.
- The weight limit for the lift is 1200kg.
- The lift is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 107cm (3ft 6in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 140cm x 185cm (4ft 7in x 6ft 1in).
- There are 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 enhancement system.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does not have tactile markings.
- The controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The controls for the lift are between 100cm - 160cm from the floor.
- The lighting level in the lift is low to moderate.
Accessible Toilet(s) (Denis Howell Building Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located within the corridor just off reception.
- 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 tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is easy to open.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 219cm x 254cm (7ft 2in x 8ft 4in).
- 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 right.
- The lateral transfer space is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a 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 the left.
- There is not 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) to the left of the toilet and wall is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- There is not an emergency alarm.
- 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 a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 136cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- 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 backrest.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (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 95cm (3ft 1in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is good.
- 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 82cm (2ft 8in).
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the right hand side 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 90cm.
- 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).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 80cm.
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is good.
- There is not a hand dryer.
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Comments
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- There are two sets of manual doors to access the accessible toilet.
Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located just off reception.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 7m from the reception.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
- The ambulant toilet does not have horizontal wall mounted grab rails.
- There are vertical wall mounted rails on both sides of the toilet.
- There is a/are dropdown rail(s) on the right as you face the ambulant toilet(s).
- 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 80cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are good.
Standard Toilet(s) (Third Floor)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located on the third floor.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 20m from the lift.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is poor.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are good.
Standard Shower (Third Floor)
- Shower facilities are available.
- The shower(s) surveyed is/are located on the third floor.
- There is level access to the services from the shower facilities.
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Comments
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- The door to access the shower has a width of 67cm, however, when you open the door it is restricted to 53cm due to the bench seat on the inside.
- The bench seat is at a height of 47cm.
- The shower head is height adjustable.
- The controls are twist/turn.
- The sink is at a height of 81cm.
- The sink has twist/turn taps.