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Faculties of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics and Philosophy

University of Cambridge, Sidgwick Site, Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 9DA

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • The Faculties of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics and Philosophy is a large building with 4 floors.
    • There is 1 main lift and 4 staircases within the building.
    • The floors are signed as ground, first, second and third floors.
    • The majority of the building is raised above ground height meaning that the building can be walked beneath and that there are few facilities on the ground floor.
  • Parking and Public Transport View

Getting Inside

  • There are ramped slopes on approach to the building which bypass steps.
  • There is cloistered bench seating beneath the building on approach to the entrance.
  • The Faculties of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics and Philosophy has 4 entrances.
    The main entrance provides step-free access to the building to the ground floor.
    The other alternate entrances lead directly into stairwells that provide access to all floors of the building.
  • The main entrance has a sign saying Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages, the other entrances are not signed.
  • The main entrance gives access to the reception on the ground floor as well as the ground floor toilet with adaptation, the main lift and a staircase.
  • There are 3 alternate entrance located underneath the main building, these have manual doors and lead directly to staircases that can be used to access the first, second and third floors.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Some of the circulation routes have a surface that is hard and smooth with a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • There is wayfinding singe located around the building.
  • Most corridors have automatic doors throughout the circulation routes. There is a single manual door along the Faculty of Philosophy wing on the third floor. The Faculty of Philosophy Casimir Lewy Library accessible entrance door on the second floor is kept locked and opened only by staff. There is an intercom at this door to gain access.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located just inside the main entrance on the ground floor and on the third floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The female toilet facilities are located on all floors.
    • The male toilet facilities are located on all floors.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located off the Sidgwick Campuses central green.
  • 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 96cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 160cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • The doors are manual but can be opened automatically with the use of a swipe card.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors .
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 160cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located to your right on entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 4m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 102cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • 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.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to your right on entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 15m.
  • 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 low 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 79cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 106cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • Some 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 even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to your right on entrance.
  • The ground, first, second and third floors 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 step is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • The depth of the steps varies as narrower near the centre of the spiral and wider further from the centre.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor, near the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 1m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • The height of the push pads to open and lock the automatic door are 90cm.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards automatically and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • The door has a push pad lock.
    • 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 170cm (width) x 225cm (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 86cm (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 high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 44cm 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 113cm 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 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 low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 117cm 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 117cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 80cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and 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, with unshaded light sources.