Access Guide
COVID-19 Information (University of Essex)
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include computer science workshop and robot area, research labs and a multimedia room.
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Comments
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- The School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering consists of 2 separate buildings - the Main Building and the Network Centre.
Opening Times
- Monday 07:00 - 19:00.
- Tuesday 07:00 - 19:00.
- Wednesday 07:00 - 19:00.
- Thursday 07:00 - 19:00.
- Friday 07:00 - 19:00.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Location
- The venue is situated within 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.
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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
- There are several car parks on this campus.
- For further information, please see theUniversity website parking page.
- There are 2 designated parking bays located outside the Level 1 entrance.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located in the north west corner of Square 2.
- 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 185cm (6ft 1in).
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Comments
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- This entrance gives access to level 4 of the building.
Outside Access (Network Centre Square 1 Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located off Square 1, at the front of the building.
- There is not 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 166cm (5ft 5in).
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Comments
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- This entrance gives access to level 3 of the Network Centre.
Level Change (Network Centre Level 1 Entrance)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The ramp/slope is easy.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
Outside Access (Network Centre Square 2 Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the far end of the bridge leading from Square 2.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Comments
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- This entrance gives access to level 4 of the Network Centre.
Level Change (Network Centre Square 2 Entrance)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located on the bridge leading from Square 2.
- The ramp/slope is easy.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
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Comments
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- This bridge is located next to the school main building on Square 2.
Reception (CSEE School Office)
- The desk/counter is 12m (13yd 4in) from the main building entrance.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The lighting levels are medium.
- The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The desk/counter is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
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Comments
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- The CSEE School Office is located to the left of the main building entrance as you enter.
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Opening Times
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- Monday 10:00 - 13:00.
- Monday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Tuesday 10:00 - 13:00.
- Tuesday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Wednesday 10:00 - 13:00.
- Wednesday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Thursday 10:00 - 13:00.
- Thursday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Friday 10:00 - 13:00.
- Friday 14:00 - 16:00.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- The lighting levels are low.
- Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
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Comments
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- The hearing loop is fitted in Seminar Room 1N1.4.1 in the Network Centre.
Level Change (Main Building Level 3A)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located at the far end of the corridor.
- The ramp/slope is easy.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
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Comments
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- There also easy ramps down to Networks Laboratory 4 and 6 on level 4B.
- There is an easy ramp up to Project Lab 5.511 on level 5.
Other Floors (Main Building)
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1-2-3-3A-4B-4-5B-5-5A.
- There are 15 steps between floors.
- The lighting levels are medium.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are deep (18cm+).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is not a landing.
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Comments
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- Between floors 3 and 3A there are three deep steps with a handrail on the left.
- Between floors 4 and 4B there are four deep steps with handrails on both sides.
Lift (Main Building)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to your right as you enter.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are 1-2-3A-3-4-4B-5A-5-5B.
- Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
- The lift is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 138cm (4ft 6in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 169cm x 207cm (5ft 7in x 6ft 9in).
- 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 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.
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Comments
View
- Between 3 and 3A there are three deep steps with a handrail on the left as you go up.
Other Floors (Network Centre)
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Steps
View
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1-2-3-4-5.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the stairwell on all floors.
- The lighting levels are medium.
- The steps are 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.
Lift (Network Centre)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located in the centre of the building.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are levels 1-2-3-4-5.
- Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
- The lift is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the Network Centre Square 2 Entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 139cm (4ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 169cm x 163cm (5ft 7in x 5ft 4in).
- There are not 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 does 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 (Main Building - 4B)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
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Location and Access
View
- 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 8m (8yd 2ft) from the lift.
- This accessible toilet is located on level 4B, to the left as you exit the lift.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
View
- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens by sliding.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 146cm x 198cm (4ft 9in x 6ft 6in).
- 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 78cm (2ft 7in).
- 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 an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
- 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 not 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
View
- 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 fair.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is fair.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Accessible Toilet (Network Centre)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
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Location and Access
View
- 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 23m (25yd 6in) from the Network Centre Square 2 entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located on level 4, along the corridor just past the lift.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
View
- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 146cm x 198cm (4ft 9in x 6ft 6in).
- 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 68cm (2ft 3in).
- 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 an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
- 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 not 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder cannot 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
View
- 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 contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
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Comments
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- There are identical accessible toilets available in the same location on levels 2, 3 and 5.
Standard Toilet(s) (Main Building)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
View
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
View
- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on level 4b, next to the accessible toilet.
- The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
- This is by lift.
- Lighting levels are medium.
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Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s)
View
- The shared toilets that were surveyed are located next to the adapted toilet on level 3A.
- The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
- This is by lift.
- Lighting levels are medium.
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Comments
View
- There are also male only toilets available on levels 2, 4B and 5A, and a female only toilet available on level 5B.
Accessible Toilet (Main Building - 3A)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
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Location and Access
View
- There is tactile, Braille and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the lift.
- This accessible toilet is located on level 3A close to the lift.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
View
- This is 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 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 205cm x 210cm (6ft 9in x 6ft 11in).
- 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 135cm (4ft 5in).
- 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 fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are 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 the right.
- 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 49cm (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
View
- 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 fair.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Standard Toilet(s) (Network Centre)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
View
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
- There are male standard toilets facilities on all floors.
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Access to Standard Female Toilet(s)
View
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
- This is by lift.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
View
- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on level 4, next to the accessible toilet.
- The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the Network Centre Square 2 entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
- Lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
View
- There are male toilets available in the same location on levels 2, 3 and 5.
- There are female standard toilets 15m from the lift on level 3.
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
View
- Staff may receive disability awareness training.
- The photographs show the computer science robot arena.
- Research taking place in this area includes wheelchair control by gesture, muscle and mind.