Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) (Alison Richard Building)

University of Cambridge, Sidgwick Site, 7 West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9DT

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • Alison Richard building has 1 entrance. The entrance provides step-free level access to the ground floor. There are push-pad activated, single automatic doors at the entrance, with double manual doors located immediately next to them.
  • The entrance is signed Alison Richard Building.
  • The main entrance provides step-free level access to the main lobby area on the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors, via the lift.
  • The Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities is located on the Ground Floor. There are key card operated double automatic doors to enter, which lead onto a series of offices and meeting rooms.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, consisting of shallow carpet.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided in the main lobby areas of the building on each floor.
  • There are manual doors in some corridors and lobby areas.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 4 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located off the main lobby area on each floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the standard toilets.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located either side of the lift on each floor.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on the ground floor, off the main lobby area.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front left of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • 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 110cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 89cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 98cm.
  • The width of the opening is 107cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 103cm.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 102cm.
  • The width of the opening is 107cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 103cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the right as you enter via 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 109cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 71cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is a portable hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested, however it was not working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • 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: sofas.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located in the middle of the building.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 7m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground, first, second and third floors 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 tactile 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 103cm (width) x 205cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile 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 mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • The emergency evacuation intercom is 167cm - 173cm from the floor.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the middle of the building, in the ground floor lobby area.
  • The ground, first, second and third floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked 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 between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Parent and Baby Room / Feeding Room

  • The room surveyed is located on the ground floor, off the main lobby area.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 7m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • The width of the second door is 84cm.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens inwards and has a medium visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
  • Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
  • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 94cm.
  • There is a coat hook in the room.
  • Seating available in the room includes: benches.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • 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, off the main lobby area.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 11m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • 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 84cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • 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 167cm (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 left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 88cm (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 low 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 90cm 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 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 85cm 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 109cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 87cm 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 no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 148cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.