Skip to main content

Department of Earth Sciences (Sedgwick Building)

University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EQ

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

Introduction

Getting Here

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • The name of the car park is the Courtyard car park.
    • The car park is located to the front of the building.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Site/Campus Car Park

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located around the Downing Site with a Blue Badge bay located to the rear of the Courtyard Building.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Department of Archaeology (Courtyard Building McDonald Institute) and the Sedgwick Building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is concrete.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 250cm x 615cm (8ft 2in x 20ft 2in).
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by Blue Badge holders, permit holders and staff permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are not provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is sloped access to the car park from the Downing Site.
    • The nearest designated bay is 25m (27yd 1ft) from the Courtyard Building main entrance.
  • Comments View
    • There is car parking located throughout the Downing Site.
    • Car parking is restricted and over-subscribed.

Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 75cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 60cm (1ft 12in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are push pad activated when exiting.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 128cm (4ft 2in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right as you face the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.
    • The width of the ramp is 147cm (4ft 10in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located to the left as you face the entrance.
    • There is / are 2 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.

Outside Access (Sedgwick Museum Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 157cm (5ft 2in).
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are permanently held open (at the time of the survey).
    • The width of the door opening is 126cm (4ft 2in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 128cm (4ft 2in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located on both sides of the entrance.
    • There is / are 15+ step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.

Entrance (Entrance to the Mineralogy Building)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the east wing of the building.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There are two sets of manual, heavy, double doors between the east wing and this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 128cm (4ft 2in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a/are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located immediately beyond the entrance.
    • There is / are 3 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.

Reception

  • The Sedgwick Reception is located ahead and to the left as you enter.
  • The desk is 14m (15yd 11in) from the accessible entrance.
  • Clear signage for the reception area is not visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are medium.
  • The reception desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the majority of the building, via lift.
    • There is/are 4 clearly marked step(s), with no handrails, for access to the east wing.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps are shown in photograph 1.
    • There is/are 4 clearly marked step(s), with a handrail on the left going up, for access to the Haker Seminar Room and toilets in the east wing.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps are shown in photograph 2.
    • There is/are 2 clearly marked step(s), with no handrails, for access to the first floor of the east wing.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is a steep ramp, with no handrails, for access to the first floor of the east wing.
    • The width of the ramp is 134cm (4ft 5in).
    • The ramp or slope does not bypass the step(s).
    • The steps and ramp are shown in photographs 3 and 4.
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is not clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is no directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2 and 3.
    • The stairs are located to the left as you enter through the accessible entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 2m from the accessible entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the stairwell on the first floor.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • There is a landing.
    • There are similar staircases along the east wing. This can be seen in photograph 3.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left of the building.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2 and 3.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 400kg.
  • The lift is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the accessible entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 75cm (2ft 6in).
  • The lift door is manual, heavy and opens outwards.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 80cm x 80cm (2ft 7in x 2ft 7in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift has a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Library

  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in large print.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in audio format.
  • There is an ordering service.
  • It takes approximately 7 to 14 days to process an order.
  • The library does not have computers with accessible software.
  • Auxiliary aids are available for computer users.
  • A height adjustable chair is / are available.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities

  • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor of the building.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on the ground and third floors of the east wing..

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the left as you exit the lift on the ground floor.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is light.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 120cm x 335cm (3ft 11in x 10ft 12in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is not a lateral transfer space.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the right.
    • There is not a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is not a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the right hand side of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 107cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is fair.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a flip down baby change table available.
    • The height of the baby change table is 97cm.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female toilet is located on the ground floor along the east wing.
    • There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 48m from the accessible entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is poor.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • It was not possible to access the female toilet.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
    • There are horizontal wall mounted rails available on both sides of the toilet.
    • There is a/are vertical wall mounted rail(s) on the left as you face the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.