Access Guide
COVID-19 Information (University of Essex)
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include a fitness suite, sports hall, climbing wall, squash courts, seminar room, activity hall and 3 studios.
- Services / facilities within the grounds include tennis/netball courts, disc golf and a fitness trail.
Opening Times
- Monday 07:30 - 22:00.
- Tuesday 07:30 - 22:00.
- Wednesday 07:30 - 22:00.
- Thursday 07:30 - 22:00.
- Friday 07:30 - 22:00.
- Saturday 09:00 - 20:00.
- Sunday 09:00 - 20:00.
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Comments
View
- Only the fitness suite is accessible between 07:30 and 08:00 Monday-Friday..
Location
- The venue is situated outside the centre of the campus.
- This venue is situated in Colchester.
- 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
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is not free for all users.
- Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
- The car park is located true.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- There is/are 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 400cm x 450cm (13ft 1in x 14ft 9in).
- The nearest designated bay is 78m (85yd 11in) from the main entrance.
- The furthest designated bay is 84m (91yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
- The patron does not have to cross a road.
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On Street Parking and Drop-off Details.
View
- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
View
- For further information, please see the University website parking page.
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 main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 161cm (5ft 3in).
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Second set of doors
View
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 141cm (4ft 8in).
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Comments
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- The second set of doors open towards you.
- There is a separate second set of doors to exit the building.
- These are manual, heavy doors, 142cm wide, which open toward you.
- The first set of doors are used to exit as well as enter the building.
Level Change (Main Entrance)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located to the left of the entrance as you face it.
- The ramp/slope is easy.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 1 step(s) to the area/service.
- The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
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Comments
View
- The ramp overcomes the step mentioned.
Reception
- The desk/counter is 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The lighting levels are medium.
- The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The desk/counter is staffed.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are not trained to use the system.
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Comments
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- There is an accessible gate leading from reception to the services. The gate is 90cm wide.
- There is also seating with no armrests available in the reception area.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does play background music.
- Music is played in the fitness suite, changing rooms and reception.
- The lighting levels are medium.
- Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
Level Change (Seminar Room and Female Changing Room)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is easy.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
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Comments
View
- This ramp is located in the corridor leading to the seminar room and female changing room.
Reception (Fitness Suite)
- The desk/counter is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the Fitness Suite 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 does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The desk/counter is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
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Comments
View
- There are entrance barriers to the side of the reception desk.
- There is an accessible gate.
- This is 88cm in width.
- There is a treadmill with white contrasting lines for visially impaired customers.
- Some instructors have experience of working with paralympians.
Fitness Suite
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Access to Fitness Suite
View
- The fitness suite is located along the main corridor.
- The fitness suite is 39m (42yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the fitness suite.
- There are doors into the fitness suite.
- The doors open away from you (push).
- The doors are double.
- The doors are heavy.
- The opening is 140cm (4ft 7in) wide.
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Fitness Suite (General)
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- Staff receive no training in assisting disabled people.
- A portable hearing loop is not available for induction.
- There is clear manoeuvring space between equipment.
- There is level access to all of the equipment.
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Comments
View
- There is an accessible gate into the fitness suite which is 88cm wide.
- There is a treadmill with contrast lines along the edge for customers with visual impairments.
- Induction is completed online.
- Some members of staff have experience of working with Paralympians.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The lighting level is medium.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are deep.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
Lift (Main)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located opposite the entrance to the fitness centre.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1.
- The lift is approximately 36m (39yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 81cm (2ft 8in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 100cm x 130cm (3ft 3in x 4ft 3in).
- There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does not 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
- This lift gives access to changing rooms and the activity hall.
- At the time of research, disabled access to this area was restricted due to fire regulations.
Lift (Viewing Gallery)
- The lift is located to the left as you face reception.
- The lift is a platform lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1.
- Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
- The lift is approximately 17m (18yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 80cm x 130cm (2ft 7in x 4ft 3in).
- 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 not have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does not have an audible announcer.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lighting level in the lift is low.
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Comments
View
- This lift gives access to the viewing gallery and Director's Office.
Standard Changing Room (Male Changing Room)
- There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
- The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located to the left of the reception desk as you face it.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 17m (18yd 1ft) from the reception desk.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the sports hall.
- There is level access to the standard changing room(s).
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Comments
View
- The details here are for the changing room on the ground floor.
- There is also a male changing room on the first floor, above the fitness suite.
Standard Changing Room (Female Changing Room)
- There are standard changing rooms available.
- The standard changing rooms are located along the corridor past the male changing rooms.
- The standard changing room is 43m (47yd) from the main entrance.
- The standard changing room is 35m (38yd) from the reception desk.
- The standard changing room is 30m (33yd) from the spots hall.
- There is level access to the standard changing rooms.
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Comments
View
- The details here are for the changing room on the ground floor.
- There is also a female changing room on the first floor, above the fitness suite.
Accessible Shower
- Accessible shower facilities are available.
- The accessible shower(s) surveyed is/are located in the first floor changing rooms.
- The facilities available in the accessible shower(s) include; an adjustable shower head, handrails and a flip down seat.
- The height of the seat is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is level access to the services from the accessible shower facilities.
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Comments
View
- There are accessible showers in both the male and female changing rooms located on the first floor, above the fitness suite.
Standard Shower
- Shower facilities are available.
- The shower(s) surveyed is/are located in the male changing rooms.
- There is level access to the services from the shower facilities.
Accessible Toilet
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) 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.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 27m (29yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located within the standard changing rooms.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
View
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 79cm (2ft 7in).
- The door is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 144cm x 144cm (4ft 9in x 4ft 9in).
- 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 68cm (2ft 3in).
- 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 not a mixer tap.
- There is not an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
- 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 placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer can 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 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 placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 85cm (2ft 9in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
View
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
- 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.
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Comments
View
- The details here are for the accessible toilet within the male changing room on the ground floor.
- There is a similar accessible toilet in the male changing rooms on the first floor.
- This has a functional alarm fitted.
- This toilet is shown in photograph 2.
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 Toilet(s)
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- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located within the female changing room.
- The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 47m (51yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
- Lighting levels are medium.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
View
- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located within the male changing room.
- The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 27m (29yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is not level access to the male toilet(s).
- Lighting levels are medium.
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Comments
View
- The details here are for the toilets within the ground floor changing rooms
- There are also toilets located within the changing rooms on the first floor, above the fitness suite.
- At the time of research, disabled access to this area was restricted due to fire regulation.
- Standard toilets are also located on the viewing gallery, next to the platform lift.
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.
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Comments
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- Staff may receive disability awareness training.
- The photograph shows the tennis/netball courts located outside the sports centre.