Access Guide
COVID-19 Information (University of Essex)
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include Help Desk, computing labs, language resource rooms and a staff training room.
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Comments
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- Information Systems Services is located in Building 4SW and is linked to the Student Union building via a corridor.
Opening Times
- Monday 08:30 - 18:00.
- Tuesday 08:30 - 18:00.
- Wednesday 08:30 - 09:00.
- Wednesday 10:00 - 18:00.
- Thursday 08:30 - 18:00.
- Friday 08:30 - 17:45.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Location
- The venue is situated within the centre of the campus.
- This venue is situated in Colchester.
- The nearest mainline station is Hythe.
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Comments
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- Although not as close as Hythe, most visitors choose to arrive at Colchester North station where bus and taxi connections are more readily available.
Parking
- For further information, please see theUniversity website parking page.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 105cm (3ft 5in).
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
Reception (Help Desk)
- The reception desk is 15m (16yd) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to reception from the entrance.
- The reception desk is high height.
- Lighting levels are medium.
- The desk has a lowered section.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
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- Some staff are trained to use the system.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- This venue does not play background music.
- The lighting levels are medium.
- Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
Level Change (Access to Student Union Building)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located to your right and past the help desk entrance.
- The ramp or slope is easy.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are 2-3-4-5-6.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The lighting levels are bright.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are deep (18cm+).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
- There is a landing.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located at the end of the corridor, past the help desk.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are 2-3-4-5-6.
- The lift is approximately 46m (50yd 11in) from the main entrance.
- The clear door width is 128cm (4ft 2in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 180cm x 225cm (5ft 11in x 7ft 5in).
- There is 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 does not have a hearing loop 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.
Accessible Toilet (Female)
- There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The accessible toilet is 21m (23yd) from the entrance.
- The accessible toilet is located to your left as you enter then to your right.
- There is level access to the accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is not a unisex toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 139cm x 190cm (4ft 7in x 6ft 3in).
- Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the accessible toilet.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 60cm (1ft 12in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is not a functional emergency alarm available.
- It is out of reach (higher than 10cm (0ft 4in) from floor).
- Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall mounted rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on the right.
- There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There are mirrors in the accessible toilet.
- Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- 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).
- There is not a sink.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
- The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is fair.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Accessible Toilet (Male)
- There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 31m (33yd 2ft) from the entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located to your left as you enter then to your right.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The door is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 156cm x 188cm (5ft 1in x 6ft 2in).
- Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the accessible toilet.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 92cm (3ft).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
- The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is a mirror.
- Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- 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).
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Accessible Toilet (Square 4)
- There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located just outside the entrance.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is required for the accessible toilet.
- The key is a radar key.
- The key can be obtained from reception.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 76cm (2ft 6in).
- The door is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 125cm x 250cm (4ft 1in x 8ft 2in).
- Floor manoeuvring space is not clear in the accessible toilet.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 92cm (3ft).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
- The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
View
- Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is a mirror.
- Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a wash basin.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are bright.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to your left as you enter.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Additional Info
- Documents can be requested in Braille.
- Documents can be requested in large print.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.
- This service can be requested.
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Comments
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- Staff may receive disability awareness training.