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Babbage Lecture Theatre (David Attenborough Building)

University of Cambridge, New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free level.
  • The David Attenborough Building (Babbage Lecture Theatre) has two entrances. Both provide step-free access (via a steep ramp) to the top of the Babbage Lecture Theatre.
    There are double automatic doors at both entrances.
  • The entrances are both signed as "Babbage Lecture Theatre", and are not differentiated by name or appearance.
  • The entrance from Corn Exchange Street provides step-free access (via a steep ramp) to the top of the Babbage Lecture Theatre, including the designated seating area for wheelchair users.
  • The entrance from the New Museums Site also provides step-free access (via a steep ramp) to the top of the Babbage Lecture Theatre, including the designated seating area for wheelchair users. The only difference is that there is a steep ramp up into the lift from the New Museums Site main exit floor to the Podium level, whereas there is not on the Corn Exchange Street side of the building.
  • Both entrances lead into the same foyer, from which you can take either steep ramp (the one after the Corn Exchange Street entrance or New Museums Site entrance) down to the Babbage Lecture Theatre, depending on which side of the lecture theatre you are seated.

Getting Around

  • After the entrance ramps, there is step-free level access to the top of the Babbage Lecture Theatre, including the reserved seating area for wheelchair users.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes consist of low-pile carpet.
  • There are no resting areas in any circulation or lobby areas of the building.
  • Overhead and wall-mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are not manual doors in any circulation corridors; only to access the Babbage Lecture Theatre itself.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located within the auditorium, on the Corn Exchange Street side of the building, next to the reserved seating area.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male toilet facilities are located on the Corn Exchange Street side of the building, to the left as you approach the auditorium from the Corn Exchange Street entrance ramp.
    • The female toilet facilities are located on the New Museums Site side of the building, to the right as you approach the auditorium from the New Museums Site entrance ramp.

Stairs (Corn Exchange Street Entrance)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the east of the building, leading up from Corn Exchange Street opposite the entrance to the Grand Arcade Public Car Park.
  • The main exit floor (E) and Podium level (P) can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top.
  • 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 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • As this is an external staircase, lighting levels may vary depending on the time of day and weather conditions.

Lift (Corn Exchange Street Entrance)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the east of the building, leading up from Corn Exchange Street opposite the entrance to the Grand Arcade Public Car Park.
  • The distance from the Corn Exchange Street Entrance is 15m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The main exit floor (E) and Podium level (P) are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium 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 tactile markings, Braille markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 88cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 95cm (width) x 210cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • As this is an outdoor glass lift, lighting levels may vary depending on the time of day and weather conditions.

Entrance (Corn Exchange Street)

  • This entrance is located to the east of the building, leading in from the Podium level above Corn Exchange Street.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 167cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • Despite the presence of a push pad, the doors open automatically without the need to press it.
  • There is step-free access via ramp as you enter.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with a handrail on the left going down.
  • Both entrances lead into the same foyer, from which you can take either steep ramp (the one after the Corn Exchange Street entrance or New Museums Site entrance) down to the Babbage Lecture Theatre, depending on which side of the Lecture Theatre you are sitting.

Stairs (New Museums Site Entrance)

  • The stairs surveyed are located outside the building, leading up from the New Museums Site main exit floor to the New Museums Site entrance on the Podium Level.
  • The main exit floor (E) and Podium level (P) can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • 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 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • As this is an external staircase, lighting levels may vary depending on the time of day and weather conditions.

Lift (New Museums Site Entrance)

  • The lift surveyed is located outside the building, leading up from the New Museums Site main exit floor to the New Museums Site entrance on the Podium level.
  • The distance from the New Museums Site entrance is 11m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The main exit floor (E) and Podium level (P) are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a medium 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 tactile markings, Braille markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 89cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 117cm (width) x 165cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There is a short but steep ramp up into the lift on the main exit floor. As this is an outdoor glass lift, lighting levels may vary depending on the time of day and weather conditions.

Entrance (New Museums Site)

  • This entrance is located to the west of the building, leading in from the Podium level above the New Museums Site.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 167cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • Despite the presence of a push pad, the doors open automatically without the need to press it.
  • There is step-free access via ramp as you enter.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with a handrail on the right going down.
  • Both entrances lead into the same foyer, from which you can take either the steep ramp (the one after the Corn Exchange Street entrance or New Museums Site entrance) down to the Babbage Lecture Theatre, depending on which side of the Lecture Theatre you are sitting.

Teaching (Babbage Lecture Theatre)

  • This is a lecture theatre.
  • There is step-free level access to the back row only.
  • The following areas have stepped access: all seating except for the designated disabled seating area immediately to the right as you enter through the lecture theatre entrance on the Corn Exchange Street side of the building.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Floor coverings are even with no trip hazards.
  • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • There is tiered seating with no handrails at the steps.
  • There are designated spaces for wheelchair users.
  • The designated space for a wheelchair user is located immediately to the right as you enter through the entrance on the Corn Exchange Street side of the building.
  • There is step-free level access to the designated space surveyed.
  • Companions sit next to you and in front of you.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: desks.
  • Some chairs and tables are fixed.
  • The height of the speaker's desk/table is 98cm.
  • The speaker's desk/table is not height adjustable.
  • This room has a projector screen.
  • There are two entrances to the Babbage Lecture Theatre - one on the Corn Exchange Street side, and one on the New Museums Site side of the building. Both have single, manual doors with a locked extension leaf, medium colour contrast, and an opening width of 86cm. The doors both open towards you.

Toilet with Adaptations (Corn Exchange Street Side of Babbage Lecture Theatre - Next to Reserved Seating - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located immediately to the right as you enter through the Corn Exchange Street side entrance to the auditorium.
    • The distance from the Corn Exchange Street entrance to the building is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a steep ramp or slope and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 135cm (width) x 218cm (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 90cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • The toilet roll holder is located on the dropdown rail.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • 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 98cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.