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Department of Archaeology (Courtyard Building McDonald Institute)

University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3ER

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free level.
  • The Department of Archaeology (Courtyard Building McDonald Institute) has one entrance, which provides ramped or stepped access to the ground floor (via a steep ramp). There are double manual doors (with one leaf locked) at this entrance.
  • The entrance is signed as "McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research".
  • The main entrance provides step-free level access to the reception foyer and the rest of the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors, via lift.
  • Floor surfaces along circulation routes consist of tiles, vinyl and carpet, with the tiled and vinyl flooring having a shiny finish and the carpet being low pile.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided in the lift lobby only.
  • There are not manual doors in any circulation corridors, only to access the stairwell and lift lobby.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located to the rear of the building on the ground floor.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the standard female toilets on the first floor and the standard male toilets on the second floor.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the basement floor.
    • The female toilet facilities are located on the first floor.
    • The male toilet facilities are located on the second floor.

Entrance (Main 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 between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 5 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not 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 unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 140cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 90cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 100cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located immediately to the left as you enter through the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 2m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 74cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • There is some 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 with armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

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.
  • Basement, ground, floors 1, 2 and 3 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 a medium visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 109cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 118cm (width) x 162cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • Some 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 even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the rear of the building.
  • The basement, ground, first, second and third floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20 steps between floors.
  • The steps have some clear markings and have 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 height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor, straight ahead as you enter through the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 11m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and automatic doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards automatically and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
    • The door has a push pad lock.
    • 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 145cm (width) x 183cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 75cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-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 43cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 93cm 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 rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 113cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 150cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There are touch pads to operate the automatic door to the facility at a height of 97cm from the outside and 94cm from the inside. The touch pad lock for the door when inside the facility is 102cm high.
      The internal door also has a twist lock.