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Polar Museum

Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1ER

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the accessible entrance to the building may be uneven and involves travelling through the staff car park.
  • The accessible entrance has two sets of double automatic doors and can be accessed via either a ramp or steps.
    The main entrance has two sets of permanently held open doors and is accessed via steps only.
  • The entrances are signed as the Scott Polar Research Institute Entrance and The Polar Museum.
  • The accessible entrance provides access to the ground floor near the Scott Polar Research Institute reception.

Getting Around

  • The is step-free level access throughout the museum.
  • Floor surfaces are hard and smooth, with the majority having a shiny finish.
  • There are benches available in the museum and in the main entrance foyer.
  • There is limited signage in the museum.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the right of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There is 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay available.
    • The Blue Badge bay is clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 255cm (width) x 485cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 123cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 25m from the accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy ramp or slope.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff only.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located at the front of the car park.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available .
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located Lensfield Road.
    • The Blue Badge bays are not signposted or marked.

Entrance (Accessible Entrance)

  • This entrance is located off the staff car park.
  • The entrance area is 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 slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 5 steps with 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 steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 129cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 110cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.

Counter (Museum)

  • The counter is located at the front of the museum near the main entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 20m.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 110cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the counter.
  • The height of the lowered section is 72cm.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • There is a selection of shop items which can be purchased at the counter.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located towards the rear of the museum, near the building reception and the accessible entrance.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 10m.
    • 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 inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 89cm.
    • The door has a lever twist 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 170cm (width) x 260cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 105cm (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 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.
    • There is not a wall mounted toilet roll holder.
    • 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 soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer which requires hands to be inserted into the top.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 92cm 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 nappy/incontinence items bin, a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 158cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There is a baby changing table at a height of 76cm.
      This toilet is also signed for use as a standard shared toilet.