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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include Accommodation for students which includes 804 ensuite bedrooms with shared facilities.
    30 Half Studios and 6 Full Studios (which have enclosed facilities).
    There are 2 ensuite bedrooms that are accessible, they are Flat 1/10 in Block 1 and Flat 1/112 in Block 3.
  • Services / facilities within the grounds include launderette.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • 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.
      Turn right into Wellington Road and continue along the B4127 Harrys Road and Church Road.
      Proceed left on to Mason Way and then on to the Vale Campus, which is approximately 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.
      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.
    • Mason House has its own small, dedicated car park as well as the Site Campus car park of the Vale.
  • By Bus View
    • Buses X21 and X22 run along Wheeleys Lane and Arthur Road from the city centre and stop near Aston House Stop ID: nwmatjat.
  • By Train View
    • From Birmingham New Street Station around six trains an hour call at University Station and take 8 - 10 minutes.
      The final destination for trains are Bromsgrove, Redditch, Hereford and Cardiff Central.
      Mason House is approximately a 15-minute walk from University Station via Somerset Road, Edgbaston Park Road and Mason Way.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

  • The interactive campus map and link to the mobility map are available here. The interactive map is also available on an app to download to your phone.https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/contact/directions/index.aspx

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by permit holders and Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking charges apply for non permit holders.
    • The car park is located to the front of Block 1.
    • 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) markings are faded.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 263cm x 676cm (8ft 8in x 22ft 2in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 48m (52yd 1ft) from the Block 1.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is block paving.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • There is not a/are not Blue Badge parking bay(s) available within the car park.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Block 3 - Flat 1/112)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the front of Block 3.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 96cm (3ft 2in).
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • Comments View
    • The door of Flat 112 has both a fob and key card reader. The fob reader will automatically open the door, but the card reader only unlocks the door which has to be opened manually.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Comments View
    • In the kitchen the sink recess had a height of 63cm and a depth of 54cm.

Accommodation

  • Location of Accessible Accommodation View
    • The establishment provides 2 accessible room(s) with ensuite facilities and/or separate accessible bathroom.
    • This information refers to Flat 1/112.
    • The accessible facilities are located to the left after you enter the flat.
    • There is level access from an accessible entrance.
    • The room number viewed was 1.
    • The width of the door to the room is 83cm (2ft 9in).
    • The dimensions of the clear floor space are 370cm x 304cm (12ft 2in x 9ft 12in).
    • Light switches are within 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • There is a functional emergency alarm in the room.
    • Other accessible facilities available in the bedroom are a bed which is adjustable.
    • Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with residents in accessible accommodation.
  • Accessible Bathroom View
    • The information relates to the ensuite.
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 220cm x 230cm (7ft 3in x 7ft 7in).
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The width of the door to the bathroom is 87cm.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • There is a functional emergency alarm in the bathroom.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 49cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is not a toilet roll holder.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin is 72cm (2ft 4in).
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • The measurement of lateral transfer space is 136cm (4ft 6in).
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • There is no dropdown rail.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • Wall mounted grab rails are not available for the toilet.
    • There are mirrors.
    • The mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
  • Bath and Shower View
    • There is not a bath.
  • Wheel In Shower View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head height is adjustable.
    • The type of shower controls used are lever.
    • There is a shower chair.
    • There are no handrails available for the shower.
  • Colour contrast and lighting in accessible rooms View
    • The colour contrast between the external room door and wall is low.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • The colour contrast between the internal room door and wall is low.
    • The colour contrast between external ensuite / bathroom door and wall is low.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Colour contrast and lighting in accessible bathroom View
    • The colour contrast between the internal bathroom door and wall is low.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor in the bathroom is high.
    • The colour contrast between the grab rails and wall is high.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Auxiliary Aids - General View
    • None of the rooms have auxiliary aids for people with sensory impairments.
    • The accommodation does provide other auxiliary aids for people with mobility impairments.
    • Available mobility auxiliary aids include ceiling tracking hoists are available.
    • There is / are 0 accessible room(s) with a bath.
    • There is / are 2 accessible room(s) with a wheel in shower.
  • Ground Floor Rooms View
    • Ground floor rooms do have level access.
    • None of these rooms are accessed by platform lift.
    • Adjoining rooms are not available.
  • Standard Rooms on Other Floors View
    • There are standard rooms on other floors.
    • The other floors can be accessed by lift.
    • There is level access to standard rooms on other floors.
    • Adjoining rooms are not available.
  • Comments View
    • The accessible flat door key card reader is at a height of 95cm; there is also an internal door release which has a height of 95cm.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
    • The stairs are located within the Mason Hall accommodation block.
    • The stairs are approximately 7m from the open entrance to Block 3 Mason Hall.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are not 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 to the right of Flat 112.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • The lift is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the Flat 112.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 89cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 108cm x 138cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 6in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing enhancement 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 moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • There is no lift access to Flat 122 and Flat 123; these Flats are only accessed via the stairs.