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Old Schools

University of Cambridge, Trinity Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TN

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level from Senate House Hill.
  • There is step-free level access on the approach from Trinity Lane. There is stepped access on the approach from Senate House Passage.
  • The Old Schools have three main entrances. Two of the entrances provide step-free level access to the ground floor.
  • The main entrance is signed Proctors' and University Marshalls Office, however it is commonly referred to as North Door. The other step-free entrance is signed as Council Room and East Room. The stepped entrance is signed as Reception All Enquiries.
  • The main entrance provides step-free level access to the Benefactors Lobby on the ground floor.
  • The reception entrance is located off the main car park and has stepped access.
    The East Door has step-free level access into the building, however as soon as you enter you must overcome a staircase to access the rest of the building.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout most the building on all floors via the lifts.
  • There is stepped access to the staff offices at the rear of the building.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are no resting areas in circulation routes.
  • There is no wayfinding signage in the building.
  • There are manual doors in some corridor and lobby areas.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the ground floor, ahead and to the right as you enter via the North Door.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within both sets of standard toilets.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, ahead and to the right as you enter via the North Door, and off the Benefactors lobby area.
    • The gender inclusive toilet facilities are located off the benefactor's lobby area.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in the middle of the Old School buildings.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 236cm (width) x 436cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 113cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 7m from the reception entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Reception Area)

  • This entrance is located off the Old Schools Car Park.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is stepped access at the entrance.
  • There are 5 steps with no handrails.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 90cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 100cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second single manual door.
  • The second door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 100cm.
  • The second door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (The North Door)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the Old Schools building.
  • 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 is a key fob/card reader at a height of 105cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 116cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 90cm.
  • The width of the opening is 78cm.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 104cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located ahead as you enter via the reception area entrance.
  • The distance from reception area entrance is 3m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 110cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 79cm.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • 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: armchairs.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located at the front right of the building.
  • The distance from the North Door is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • Levels 0, 1 and 2 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 and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 77cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 100cm (width) x 143cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
  • 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 visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the benefactors lobby.
  • Floors ground and 1 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked and have a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does 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.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Lift (Reception Area)

  • The lift surveyed is located in the reception area.
  • The distance from reception is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has steps and manual doors.
  • Floors ground, 1 and 2 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift does not have 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.
  • None of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 78cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 119cm (width) x 64cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • None of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There are 6 unmarked steps you must overcome to use the lift.
    There are two manual sliding doors to enter the lift.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor, ahead and to the right as you enter via the North Door.
    • The distance from the North Door is 7m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm.
    • 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 147cm (width) x 217cm (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, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 80cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the left as you face the toilet.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 91cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 88cm from the floor.
    • 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 156cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 118cm 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 multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 105cm and 140cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 91cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.