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Richard Wood House

University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • There are 5 other houses in this area. Each one consists of several self contained flats housing 4-6 students. Each flat has a shared kitchen.
  • Each room in the flats have their own en suite shower and toilet. Two ground floor rooms in each of the flats have been adapted for wheelchair users.
  • Eight rooms on different floors have been fitted with special alarm facilities for students with hearing impairments.
  • These flats are open 24 hours a day.

Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the campus.
  • This venue is situated in Colchester.
  • The venue is in a pedestrian area.
  • The nearest mainline station is Hythe.
  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • Comments View
    • 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

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The intercom is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
  • The intercom is at a height of 130cm.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
  • Second set of doors View
    • The automatic doors are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 96cm (3ft 2in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Comments View
    • The door has an automatic push pad to exit.
    • This is 160cm in height.

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the door.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.

Inside Access

  • There is not level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are low.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.

Accommodation

  • Location of Accessible Accommodation View
    • The establishment provides 8 accessible accommodation facilities with an ensuite and/or separate accessible bathroom.
    • This information refers to Richard Woods.
    • The accessible facilities are located on the ground floor.
    • There is level access from an accessible entrance.
    • The room number viewed was 1.
    • The width of the door to the room is 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • The bed is 43cm high.
    • The measurement between the bed base and floor is 30cm (0ft 12in).
    • Light switches are within 120cm (3ft 11in) from floor level.
    • There is a functional emergency alarm in the room.
    • Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with residents in accessible accommodation.
  • Accessible Bathroom View
    • The information relates to the ensuite.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The width of the door to the bathroom is 84cm.
    • The door is light.
    • There is a functional emergency alarm in the bathroom.
    • The door is locked by a (no lock).
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 43cm (1ft 5in).
    • 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 in height.
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is a sink.
    • The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the sink is 76cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is not a mixer tap.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • The measurement of lateral transfer space is 138cm (4ft 6in).
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is not a flush on the transfer side.
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet pan the wall mounted grab rails are on the left.
    • There are mirrors.
    • The mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • Disposal facilities are not available.
  • Bath and Shower View
    • There is not a bath.
  • Wheel In Shower View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head height is adjustable.
    • The type of shower controls used are lever.
    • The shower seat is flip-down.
    • The shower seat height is 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • There are handrails available for the shower.
  • Colour contrast and lighting in accessible rooms View
    • The colour contrast between the external room door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The colour contrast between the internal room door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between external ensuite / bathroom door and wall is fair.
    • Lighting levels are medium.
  • Colour contrast and lighting in accessible bathroom View
    • The colour contrast between the internal bathroom door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor in the bathroom is good.
    • The colour contrast between the drop down rails and wall is fair.
    • The colour contrast between the grab rails and wall is fair.
    • Lighting levels are medium.
  • Auxiliary Aids - General View
    • Some of the rooms have auxiliary aids for people with sensory impairments.
    • Vibrating pillows is available.
    • Flashing fire alarms are available on request.
    • Vibrating fire alarms are available on request.
    • Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with residents in standard rooms.
    • There are 0 accessible rooms with baths.
    • There are 8 accessible rooms with wheel in showers.
  • Ground Floor Rooms View
    • Ground floor rooms do have level access.
    • Rooms are located in Richard Woods flat.
    • Adjoining rooms are not available.
  • Standard Rooms on Other Floors View
    • There are standard rooms on other floors.
    • The other floors cannot be accessed by lift.
    • Adjoining rooms are not available.
  • Comments View
    • There is a slight threshold at the entrance to the adapted bathroom.
    • There are adapted window openers available.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, double doors to access the stairwell on all floors.
    • The lighting levels are low.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
  • Comments View
    • There is no lift available.

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.
  • Staff are Text Relay aware.
  • Comments View
    • Staff may receive disability awareness training.
    • The first photograph shows the shower area of the adapted bathroom.
    • The second photograph shows the shared kitchen area.
    • The sink is at a lower level and is push button operated.
    • The buttons are within reach for a wheelchair user.