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MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit

University of Cambridge, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge, CB2 7EF

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • The Medical Research Council (MRC) Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit is a research centre comprising 4 interconnected buildings, and 2 separate buildings.
      There is an older Main House connected to a West Wing to the front of the research centre.
      The Main House is arranged over 3 floors, with the West Wing arranged over 2 floors.
      The Main House is also connected to the South Wing with a single ground floor, which continues into the South Pole Wing with 2 floors.
      There are separate buildings for The Centre for Attention, Learning and Memory (CALM) to the front, and the MRI facility to the rear of the research centre.
      The CALM building and the MRI facility are low rise buildings with a single ground floor only.
    • There are 2 lifts and 4 main staircases within the research centre.
    • There is no floor signage within the research centre.
    • There is internal access to the Main House, the West Wing, the South Wing and the South Pole Wing once inside the main research centre facility.
      There is only external access to the CALM building and the MRI facility.
    • View information on MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit.
  • Parking and Public Transport View

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
    The approach surface is tarmac, with block paving at the approach to the MRI facility.
  • The research centre has 6 entrances with 3 accessible entrances.
    The main accessible entrance is at the front of the research centre, off the car park.
    There are 2 accessible entrances to the rear of the research centre, approximately 130m from the Blue Badge parking bay.
    There are key card released manual doors at all entrances.
  • The main accessible entrance is signed as MRC COGNITION AND BRAIN SCIENCES UNIT.
    The Main House entrance is signed as MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL COGNITION AND BRAIN SCIENCES UNIT.
    The CALM building is signed Centre for Attention Learning & Memory.
    The entrances to the South Wing, the South Pole Wing and MRI facility are not named or signed.
  • The principal accessible entrance provides step-free level access to the ground floor of the West Wing.
  • The main accessible entrance is step-free via ramp to the front right of the research centre.
    There are stepped entrances to the Main House at the front of the building, and to the South Wing on the left-hand side of the research centre.
    There is a ramped entrance to the South Pole Wing to the rear of the research centre.
    There is level access to the MRI facility to the rear of the research centre and to the separate CALM building to the left of the Main House.
  • The most accessible route to the MRI facility is from the accessible entrance via the internally connected corridors in the Main House, South Wing, and using the exit from the South Pole Wing.
    This route is approximately 120m long.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access to the ground floor throughout the research centre.
    There is step-free access via lift to the first floors of the West Wing and South Pole Wing.
    The areas on floors which are not accessible are the first floor upwards in the Main House.
  • There is a long ramp with a slight gradient on the ground floor between the Main House and the West Wing.
  • There are narrow walkways along the main access corridor on the ground floor of the Main House.
  • Floor surfaces along circulation routes on the ground floor in the Main House and the MRI centre are hard and smooth, with a shiny finish.
    There is patterned flooring on the ground floors of the West Wing, South Wing and South Pole Wing, on the first floors of the West Wing and South Pole Wing, and the first floor upwards in the Main House.
  • There is seating available in lounge areas throughout the research centre.
  • There is no wayfinding signage in the building.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes which are held permanently open.
    There are manual doors to access the stairwells in the Main House and South Pole Wing.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 4 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor, one each in the West Wing, South Wing, South Pole Wing, and the MRI facility.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations in the West Wing and the South Wing have a left hand transfer space.
      The toilets with adaptations in the South Pole Wing and the MRI facility have a right hand transfer space.
    • The shared toilet facilities are located on the ground and second floors of the Main House, and the ground and first floor of the South Pole Wing.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the first floors of the West Wing and the South Wing.
    • The female toilet facilities are located on the first floor in the Main House.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the shared standard toilet on the ground floor of the Main House.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located in the female and male standard toilets in the South Wing.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the front 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 241cm (width) x 448cm (depth).
    • There are no hatched/marked zones.
    • The nearest designated bay is 10m from accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy ramp or slope.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available .

Entrance (Accessible)

  • This entrance is located to the side of the Main House.
  • 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 over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 112cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 130cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 89cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (Main House)

  • The reception is located to the left from the accessible entrance, off the main access corridor in the Main House.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 13m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has narrow walkways.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • Main House reception is open 08:30 - 17:00 Monday to Thursday, and 08:30 - 16:30 on Friday.
  • The height of the reception desk is 101cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 92cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The lowered section of the reception desk is available off the main access corridor in the Main House.
    The main reception counter is within an entry vestibule after the stepped entrance to the Main House.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • 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: chairs with armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
  • Some chairs and tables are fixed.
  • The seating area near the reception area is within a room off the main access corridor in the Main House.

Lift (West Wing)

  • The lift surveyed is located straight ahead from the accessible entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 4m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground floor and first floor 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 a low 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 103cm (width) x 138cm (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 and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Lift (South Pole Wing)

  • The lift surveyed is located off the main corridor in the South Pole Wing of the building.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 100m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • The ground floor and the first floor 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 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 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 109cm (width) x 149cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have Braille markings, tactile markings and 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, with unshaded light sources.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the right after the accessible entrance.
  • The ground floor and the first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 16 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 steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are also stairs in the Main House and in the South Pole wing of the building.
    The stairs in the Main House also access the second floor.
    The main stairs near reception in the Main House have a handrail on the left-hand side going up.
    The handrail is not easy to grip.
    The second stairs off the main access corridor in the Main House have a handrail on the right-hand side going up.
    The second stairs are curved at the bottom and then straight.
    There are also stairs in the South Pole wing of the building.
    The height of the highest step is 17cm.
    The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
    The handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - West Wing - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the right after the accessible entrance.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 10m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a slight ramp or slope.
    • 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 78cm.
    • The door has a twist 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 168cm (width) x 250cm (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, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 103cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the 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 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 86cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot 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 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 95cm 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 134cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 91cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 137cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - MRI Facility - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located ahead from the entrance to the MRI facility, on the left.
    • The distance from the entrance to the MRI facility is 9m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a lever twist 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 148cm (width) x 234cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 81cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the 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 80cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a twist/turn 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 106cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 122cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 90cm 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 an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 98cm and 150cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.