You are on Overview. Skip to the next section.

Overview

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• About View
  • The Student Services Centre is a large building with 4 floors and a small basement area.
  • There is one main bank of lifts and 2 main staircases within the building, plus an additional staircase to access the basement.
  • The floors are signed as ground, one, two, and three The small basement floor is not officially signed.
  • The building consists of two wings - the New Wing and the Arts School. There is step-free level access between the two wings on all levels.
  • View information on Student Services Centre.
• Parking and Public Transport View
  • There is a campus car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
  • The name of the nearest car park is New Museum Site Car Park.
  • View information on University of Cambridge Car Park - Central Sites (opens new tab) .
  • The nearest train station is Cambridge.
  • For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
  • View information on getting here (opens new tab) .
• Related Access Guides View
  • View information on Student Services Centre - Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre (ADRC) (opens new tab) .
  • View information on Student Services Centre - Careers Service (opens new tab) .
  • View information on Student Services Centre - University Counselling Service (opens new tab) .

You are on Getting Inside. Skip to the next section.

Getting Inside

• The approach to the building is step-free level (via very easy ramps).
• The Student Services Centre has three entrances. There is step-free level access to the ground floor at both the Main Entrance - Bene't Street and Accessible Entrance - courtyard. There are push-pad activated double automatic doors available at both these entrances.
  There is step-free access via a steep ramp to the basement floor at the basement entrance. This entrance has a single, manual door.
• The entrances are signed as "Student Services Centre - Main Entrance" and "Accessible Entrance". The basement entrance is unsigned.
• The Main Entrance - Bene't Street provides step-free level access to Reception and the ground floor of the building.
• The Accessible Entrance - courtyard provides step-free level access to the ground floor of the building and Reception (albeit via a longer route). A key card is also required to enter the building through this entrance.
  The basement entrance provides step-free access (via a steep ramp) to the basement floor. There is then stepped only access from this floor up to the ground floor and the rest of the building. A key card is also required to enter the building through this entrance.

You are on Getting Around. Skip to the next section.

Getting Around

• There is step-free level access throughout the overwhelming majority of the building on all floors. The new wing lifts serve all areas of all floors, except for the basement, with access via stairs only.
• On the ground floor, there are 2 unmarked steps, with no handrails, leading down to two of the entrances to Lecture Theatre A and the top of the stairs down to the basement.
• Floor surfaces along circulation routes consist of tiles, stone slabs, wood, vinyl and carpet, with the former four all having a shiny finish and the latter being low pile. Some of the tiles are patterned, with a bold colour contrast.
• There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
• Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building, including on stairwells and in lift lobby areas. There is also some floor-mounted and overhead wayfinding signage.
• There are some manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building, but all are permanently held open. The only exception is the doors between the Arts School and new wing on the ground floor, where there are double doors with only one leaf being permanently held open. This is still over 75cm wide.

You are on Toilet and Changing Facilities. Skip to the next section.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

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• Toilet Facilities View
  • There are 4 toilets with adaptations.
  • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor, first floor, second floor and third floor, to the rear right of the new wing lifts and stairs.
  • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
  • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, to the rear right of the new wing lifts and stairs; and on the basement floor.
  • The gender inclusive toilet facilities are located on the first floor, second floor and third floor, to the rear right of the new wing lifts and stairs.
• Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
  • The Changing Places toilet facilities are located on the ground floor, to the rear of the new wing stairwell.
  • Standard changing facilities are located on the basement floor.
  • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations on the ground floor, to the rear right of the new wing lifts and stairs.
• Washroom and Shower Facilities View
  • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located within the toilet with adaptations on the ground floor, to the rear right of the new wing lifts and stairs.
  • Standard shower facilities are located on the basement floor.
  • There are no ambulant toilet facilities, however one cubicle in each of the gender neutral toilets has a door which opens outwards (with no additional ambulant features).

You are on Rooms and Services in the Building. Skip to the next section.

Rooms and Services in the Building

You are on Entrance (Main Entrance - Bene't Street). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Main Entrance - Bene't Street)

• This entrance is located to the left as you enter the New Museums Site from the Bene't Street gate.
• 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 a very easy slope at the entrance.
• There is a bell at a height of 107cm.
• The bell is not in use.
• There are double manual doors at this entrance.
• The doors are permanently held open.
• The width of the opening is 150cm.
• The doors have a high colour contrast.
• There is a second set of double automatic doors .
• The second set of doors open away from you.
• The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 71cm.
• The width of the opening is 169cm.
• The second set of doors have a high colour contrast.
• There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 99cm.
• There is step-free level access as you enter.

You are on Entrance (Accessible Entrance - Courtyard). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Accessible Entrance - Courtyard)

• This entrance is located to the rear of the building, on the new wing's southern façade.
• 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 a very easy slope at the entrance.
• There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 91cm.
• There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
• The doors open towards you.
• There is a push pad at a height of 80cm.
• The width of the opening is 126cm.
• There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
• The doors have a medium colour contrast.
• There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 84cm.
• There is step-free level access as you enter.

You are on Entrance (Basement Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Basement Entrance)

• This entrance is located at the side of the building, to the left as you approach from the Bene't Street Gate into the New Museums Site.
• The entrance area is not clearly signed.
• There is not 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 over 150cm wide with a handrail on the left going down.
• There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 98cm.
• There is a single manual door at this entrance.
• The door opens towards you.
• The width of the opening is 100cm.
• There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
• The door has a medium colour contrast.
• There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 85cm.
• There is step-free access via ramp as you enter.
• The ramp has a slight gradient.
• The ramp is over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
• This entrance gives access to the basement floor. Internal access to all other floors from here is via stairs only.

You are on Reception. Skip to the next section.

Reception

• The reception is located diagonally to the right as you enter through the main entrance - Bene't Street.
• The distance from the main entrance - Bene't Street is 6m.
• 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 76cm.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
• 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, armchairs and sofas.
• Furniture available in this area includes: tables and coffee tables.
• Despite the signage, there was not a hearing loop system here at time of survey (July 2024).

You are on Lift (New Wing). Skip to the next section.

Lift (New Wing)

• The lift surveyed is located to the rear of the New Wing.
• The distance from the main entrance - Bene't Street is 25m.
• The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
• Floors ground, one, two, and three 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 medium colour 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 100cm (width) x 138cm (depth).
• The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium colour contrast.
• All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
• There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.
• The ground floor is signed as "0" in these lifts.

You are on Stairs (New Wing). Skip to the next section.

Stairs (New Wing)

• The stairs surveyed are located to the rear of the new wing.
• Floors ground, one, two, and three 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 17cm.
• The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Stairs (Arts School). Skip to the next section.

Stairs (Arts School)

• The stairs surveyed are located within the Arts School part of the building, straight ahead and to the right as you enter through the main entrance - Bene't Street.
• The ground floor, first floor and second floor can be accessed by these stairs.
• There are 20+ steps between floors.
• The steps have low colour contrast markings and have no handrails.
• 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, with unshaded light sources.

You are on Stairs (Access to Basement). Skip to the next section.

Stairs (Access to Basement)

• The stairs surveyed are located straight ahead and to the right as you enter through the main entrance - Bene't Street, next to the Arts School Stairs.
• The ground floor and basement can be accessed by these stairs.
• There are 17 steps between floors.
• The steps have low colour contrast markings and have a handrail on the right going down.
• The handrail is not easy to grip.
• The handrail does not cover 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 18cm.
• The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

You are on Changing Places (Ground Floor - New Wing Lift and Stairs). Skip to the next section.

Changing Places (Ground Floor - New Wing Lift and Stairs)

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• Location and Access View
  • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located to the rear of the New Wing stairwell on the ground floor.
  • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
  • There is a sign at the entrance to the Changing Places facility indicating the location of the nearest toilets and baby changing facilities.
  • The distance from the main entrance - Bene't Street is 29m.
  • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • 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 automatically via a push pad and has a high colour contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 112cm.
  • The door has a push pad lock.
  • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
  • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • The dimensions of the facility are 411cm (width) x 305cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (180cm x 180cm).
• Toilet Details View
  • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet .
  • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 76cm.
  • The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 97cm.
  • There is an elbow pad flush for the toilet.
  • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
  • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
  • The vertical grab rails have a low colour contrast.
  • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
  • The dropdown rails have a low colour contrast.
  • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
  • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
  • The toilet roll holder is located on the dropdown rail.
  • The toilet roll holder has a medium colour contrast.
  • The toilet roll holder is 54cm from the floor.
• Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
  • The changing bench is free standing and height adjustable.
  • The length of the changing bench is 200cm.
  • The facility hoist is powered overhead and accesses the changing bench and the toilet.
• Other Facilities View
  • There is a height adjustable wash basin.
  • 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 colour contrast.
  • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
  • The soap dispenser has a medium colour contrast.
  • The soap dispenser is 96cm from the floor.
  • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
  • The towel dispenser has a medium colour contrast.
  • The towel dispenser is 96cm from the floor.
  • A wide paper roll dispenser is available.
  • The height of the wide paper roll dispenser is 87cm.
  • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
  • The hand dryer has a medium colour contrast.
  • The hand dryer is 97cm from the floor.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
  • There is a full length mirror.
  • There is an unobstructed shelf.
  • The shelf meets the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
  • The facility has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
  • There is one coat hook.
  • The coat hook is 126cm from the floor.
  • A privacy screen is available.
  • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • The lock is a touch-free sensor.
    This is a clos-o-mat toilet, with elbow pad flush buttons on both sides of the cistern.
    There are three coat hooks, all of which are at the same height.
    .

You are on Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - New Wing Stairs and Lift - Right Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - New Wing Stairs and Lift - Right Hand Transfer)

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• Location and Access View
  • The toilet surveyed is located to the rear right of the new wing stairwell on the ground floor.
  • The distance from the main entrance - Bene't Street is 31m.
  • 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 and written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens outwards automatically via a push pad and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 110cm.
  • The door has a push pad lock.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
• Dimensions and Features View
  • The dimensions of the cubicle are 258cm (width) x 270cm (depth) and there is 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 201cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
  • There is a wall sensor flush on the 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 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 medium visual contrast.
  • The toilet roll holder is 55cm 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 medium visual contrast.
  • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
  • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
  • The soap dispenser is 94cm from the floor.
  • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
  • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
  • The towel dispenser is 97cm from the floor.
  • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
  • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
  • The hand dryer is 95cm from the floor.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
  • There is a full length mirror.
  • There is a shelf, however there is an obstruction in front of it.
  • The shelf meets the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
  • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
  • There are no coat hooks.
  • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 98cm.
  • 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.
  • The lock is a touch-free sensor.
    The facility contains an accessible shower. This has a flip-down seat which is 53cm high, a fixed overhead shower head, dropdown rails on both sides of the seat, plus a vertical and horizontal grab rail to the right as you face the seat. The shower controls are lever mixer.

You are on Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor, Second Floor and Third Floor - New Wing Stairs and Lift - Left Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor, Second Floor and Third Floor - New Wing Stairs and Lift - Left Hand Transfer)

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• Location and Access View
  • The toilet surveyed is located in the toilet area to the rear right of the new wing stairwell on the first, second and third floors.
  • The distance from the new wing lift is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift, manual doors 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 automatically via a push pad and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 105cm.
  • The door has a push pad lock.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
• Dimensions and Features View
  • The dimensions of the cubicle are 169cm (width) x 290cm (depth) and there is 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 104cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
  • There is a wall sensor flush on the transfer side.
  • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
  • The horizontal grab rail has a high 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 low visual contrast.
  • The toilet roll holder is 56cm from the floor.
  • 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 high visual contrast.
  • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
  • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
  • The soap dispenser is 92cm from the floor.
  • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
  • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
  • The towel dispenser is 112cm from the floor.
  • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
  • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
  • The hand dryer is 76cm from the floor.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
  • There is a full length mirror.
  • There is a shelf, however there is an obstruction in front of it.
  • The shelf meets the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
  • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
  • There is one coat hook.
  • The coat hook is 132cm from the floor.
  • 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.
  • The lock is a touch-free sensor.
    There are identical facilities in the same location on the first floor, second floor and third floor.

You are on Exit (Out of Hours Exit - Bene't Street). Skip to the next section.

Exit (Out of Hours Exit - Bene't Street)

• The exit area is not clearly signed.
• There is step-free level access at the exit.
• There is a single automatic door at this exit.
• The door opens towards you.
• There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 102cm.
• The width of the opening is 90cm.
• There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
• The door has a high visual contrast.
• There is step-free level access as you exit.