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Faculty of Education (Donald McIntyre Building)

University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 8PQ

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via slight slopes.
  • Faculty of Education (Donald McIntyre Building) has two entrances with automatic doors. The most accessible entrance provides step-free access via a slight slope.
  • The front entrance is signed as The Donald McIntyre Building. The rear entrance is not signed.
  • The front entrance provides step-free access to the reception on the ground floor.
  • The rear entrance provides step-free access.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the building on all floors.
  • On the ground floor there is a slight ramp with a handrail on both sides to access the seating area to overcome 2 not clearly marked steps without a handrail.
    On the first floor there is a slight ramp with handrails on both sides along the corridor leading to the social area.
    On the second floor there is a slight ramp along the corridor leading to the Art Room.
  • There is a study area located in the centre of the building covering the ground and first floors.
  • The floor surfaces on the ground floor are hard and smooth with some having a shiny finish. The floor surface on the first floor and above is carpeted.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are no manual doors in any circulation corridors, only to access some stairwells.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 4 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located at the rear of the building on each floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male and female standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, first floor, second floor and third floor.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the ground floor toilet with adaptations.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Front)

  • 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 slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 125cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 104cm.
  • The key fob/card reader and intercom is located in between the two sets of doors.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 153cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 153cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 106cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the right from the front entrance.
  • The distance from the front entrance is 3m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 117cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 73cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • 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 vary due to the size of the space.

Area (Breakout / Study Area)

  • The breakout / study area is located to the rear right of the building on the ground floor.
  • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 2 steps with no handrails.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm .
  • The height of the highest step is 21cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Services available in this area include: a study area, breakout space, a kitchen area and vending machines.
  • There is not step-free level access throughout the area.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the study pod is accessed by a step with a height of 12cm.
  • The entrance width to the study pod is 63cm.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, benches and high stools.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables, high tables, long tables and booths.
  • Some chairs and tables are fixed.
  • Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There are vending machines in the study room with card readers at a height of 138cm.
  • There is a sink in the kitchen area at a height of 92cm.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead from the front entrance.
  • The distance from the front entrance is 28m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground floor and floors 1, 2 and 3 are 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 external lift control buttons have tactile markings and 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 107cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high colour contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Stairs (Auditorium)

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead from the front entrance.
  • The ground floor and floors 1, 2 and 3 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Stairs (Front)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left from the front entrance.
  • The ground floor and floors 1, 2 and 3 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have 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 height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There is a similar set of stairs at the rear of the building.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located ahead from the front entrance.
    • The distance from the front entrance is 38m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 156cm (width) x 206cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 86cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the 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 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 98cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 86cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 108cm 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 132cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 183cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 98cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There are similar toilets with adaptations in the same location on the first and second floors.

Toilet with Adaptations (Third Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the third floor, to the right from the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 14m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and a lift.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 160cm (width) x 203cm (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 82cm (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 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 100cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 87cm 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 wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 109cm 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 105cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.