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Aldrich Library

Cockcroft Building, Moulsecoomb Campus, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ

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Access Guide

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Access To

  • The Aldrich Library is located at the front of the Cockcroft Building, and the main entrance is on the mezzanine floor.
  • View information on Cockcroft Building (opens new tab).
  • The distance from the reception lift is 5m.
  • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
  • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • This entrance is closed after 8pm Monday to Friday and at weekends, when the entrance on Queensdown School Road should be used.

Mezzanine Entrance

  • This entrance is located on the Mezzanine level on the left as you exit the reception lift.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 110cm.
  • There are double manual doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 158cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second, single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 85cm.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • There are security barriers at the entrance.
  • The maximum width between them is 111cm.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 94cm.
  • The key card reader is located at the second set of doors.
  • There is an identical single automatic door at the same location to exit the library. When approaching the library, the entry door is on the left and the exit door is on the right.
  • This entrance is closed after 8pm Monday to Friday and at weekends, when the entrance on Queensdown School Road should be used.

Queensdown School Road Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the Cockcroft Building off Queensdown School Road.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is sloped and stepped access at the entrance.
  • The slope bypasses the steps.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There are 5 steps.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are 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 steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 128cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 128cm.
  • There are double manual doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The doors require effort to open.
  • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The width of the opening is 85cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The doors require effort to open.
  • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The width of the opening is 85cm.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • There are security barriers at the entrance.
  • The maximum width between them is 145cm.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 122cm.
  • This entrance allows access 24 hours a day during term time.

Help Desk

  • Location View
    • The reception is located directly ahead of the mezzanine entrance.
    • The distance from the mezzanine entrance is 15m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 100cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
    • The reception has windows and patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • 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: chairs without armrests.

Library

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
  • Seating available in this library includes: chairs with armrests, armchairs, riser recliner chairs and high stools.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, high tables, desks, height adjustable desks and booths.
  • Some tables are fixed.
  • The surface height of some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • A bookable height adjustable desk with PC is available on the first floor.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 117cm to 147cm from the floor.
  • The touchscreen has the following accessibility aids: adjustable font size and a hearing assistance system.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: ebook and ejournal.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: ergonomic chairs and handheld magnifiers.
  • Accessible software available for the computers includes: MindGenius.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located towards the far end of the library near the Queensdown School Road entrance.
  • The distance from Queensdown School Road entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • The ground, first, second and third floors within the library can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 6300kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile and Braille markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 90cm (width) x 125cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile and Braille markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a list of floor services/facilities, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a mirror to aid reversing.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs are located towards the far end of the library near the Queensdown School Road entrance.
  • The first, second and third floors within the library can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are handrails on both sides, which are within reach.
  • 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 height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There is a similar staircase at this location to access the ground and first floors of the library.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Gender Inclusive - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the far left hand side of the library from the entrance on first floor in the corner of the study area opposite the lift.
    • The distance from the library lift is 20m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial, written text and numbered signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 74cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 205cm (width) x 156cm (depth).
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 133cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 44cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 100cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 75cm from the floor.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the right side of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 98cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 103cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 152cm and 177cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There are similar toilets with adaptations at the same location on the ground, second and third floors.