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Lecture Block

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

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The accessible entrance is located off the central raised area of Sidgwick Site which is accessed by steps or ramps.
  • There are 2 entrances into the building, only 1 of which provides step-free level access to the ground floor via platform lift.
    There is also a lift which can also be used as an entrance since it can be accessed externally.
  • The entrances are signed Lecture Rooms 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11 and Lecture Rooms 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12.
  • The accessible entrance provides step-free level access via lift to the ground floor.
  • The manual entrance has a set of manual double doors flanked by alternate single door entrances on either side.
    The entrance door is followed by a set of 4 15cm steps.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access to the majority of the building.
    There is no step-free access into the lower ground floor.
  • Step-free access to Lecture Room 5 on floor 2 is only available by passing through either Lecture Rooms 3 or Lecture Room 4.
    Step-free access to Lecture Rooms 8 and 12 on floor 3 is only available by passing through either Lecture Room 7 or Lecture Room 10.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are no resting areas in the building.
  • There is limited wayfinding signage throughout the building.
    There is clear signage in the entrance lobbies and screens showing which rooms have been booked out.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located to the rear left of the building on the ground floor.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a transfer space on both sides.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the male and female toilet areas.
    • The female toilet facilities are located towards the left of the building on the ground floor and to the right of the building on the lower ground floor.
    • The male toilet facilities are located towards the right of the building on the ground floor and to the left of the building on the lower ground floor.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Accessible 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 single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 90cm.
  • The width of the opening is 86cm.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 85cm.
  • There are alternate sets of manual double doors to the right of the single automatic door.
  • There is step-free level access via lift as you enter.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with a handrail on the right going up.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 4 steps with no handrails.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • 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.
  • There is a stair lift in addition to the ramp and steps inside this entrance.
    The stair lift bypasses both the steep ramp and the steps.

Lift (Accessible Entrance)

  • The lift surveyed is located in front of you on entrance.
  • This lift is a stair lift.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have 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 78cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 78cm (width) x 125cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift (Main)

  • The lift surveyed is located to your left on entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance lift is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and a stair lift.
  • The external entrance level, ground, first, second and third floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high 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 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 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 145cm (width) x 150cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • The lift can be accessed externally and used as an entrance into the building.
    The external set of doors into the lift has a width of 90cm.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located in front of you on entrance.
  • The lower ground, 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 extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 19cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There is no handrail to the right of stairs between the lower ground and the ground floors.
    There is no access between the areas accessed by the staircases on the basement floor.
    On floors 2 and 3 access is only available by heading through lecture rooms.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Transfer Both Sides)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in front of you on entrance.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance lift is 15m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and a stair lift.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards automatically and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 100cm.
    • The door has a push button 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 255cm (width) x 220cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet .
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 86cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • The lateral transfer space on the right is 120cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the right transfer side.
    • 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 high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • 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 69cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 79cm 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 cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 95cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 90cm 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 does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • 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.