Access Guide
COVID-19 Information (University of Essex)
Introduction
- The accommodation has 561 rooms in 7 houses, situated around a central enclosed courtyard. .
- All of the rooms are en-suite and there is generally 8 to 10 student bedrooms in each flat sharing a communal kitchen. .
- There is also a selection of self contained studio flats suitable for either single or couple occupancy that have their own kitchenette, as well as en-suite bathroom facilities. .
- Some of the studio flats have been adapted for wheelchair users.
Location
- The venue is situated within the centre of the town.
- This venue is situated in Southend-on-Sea.
- The nearest mainline station is Southend Central.
Parking
- The venue does not have its own car park.
-
Public Car Parks.
View
- There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
- The name of the car park is University Square.
- The car park is located under the halls of residence.
Outside Access (Main Entrance and Reception - House 2)
- 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 single.
- The width of the door opening is 100cm (3ft 3in).
-
Comments
View
- The automatic doors open towards you and are swipe card controlled.
- A swipe card is given to students which will give access to the main entrance, common room, one of the 7 houses and individual accommodation.
- There is a set of double doors, on the left as you face the automatic door.
- These doors open towards you, are heavy, are 140cm wide and also swipe card controlled.
Reception (Accommodation)
- The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the Main Entrance and Reception - Block 2.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The lighting levels are bright.
- The desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
- The desk/counter is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Inside Access (Main Entrance and Reception - House 2)
- 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 bright.
- Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
Level Change (Main Entrance and Reception - House 2)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located opposite the reception desk.
- The ramp or slope is moderate.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
- There are steps to access this area / service.
- The steps are located next to the lift.
- There is / are 2 step(s) to the area / service.
- Lighting levels at the steps are bright.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are deep.
- The steps do not have handrails.
-
Comments
View
- The ramp overcomes the steps.
Other Floors (Main Entrance and Reception - House 2)
-
Steps
View
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2-3-4-5-6-7.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The lighting level is bright.
- 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.
-
Comments
View
- These stairs allow access to all floors within House 2.
Lift (Main Entrance and Reception - House 2)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located on the left as you enter.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1-2-3-4-5-6-7.
- The lift is 8m (26ft 3in) from Main Entrance and Reception - House 2.
- The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 140cm x 100cm (4ft 7in x 3ft 3in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- 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 controls do not have Braille markings.
- The lift controls do have tactile markings.
- The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
- The lighting level in the lift is bright.
-
Comments
View
- This lift serves all floors within House 2.
Outside Access (House 3)
- This information is for the entrance located off the Podium Area.
- There is level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 92cm (3ft).
-
Comments
View
- The entrance is swipe card controlled.
Inside Access (House 3)
- There is level access to the service.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Other Floors (House 3)
-
Steps
View
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1-2-3-4-5-6-7.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The lighting level is bright.
- 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 (House 3)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located on the left as you enter.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are 1-2-3-4-5-6-7.
- The lift is 2m (6ft 7in) from House 3 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 140cm x 100cm (4ft 7in x 3ft 3in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- 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 controls do not have Braille markings.
- The lift controls do have tactile markings.
- The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
- The lighting level in the lift is bright.
Accommodation (Adapted Room - House 3)
-
Location of Accessible Accommodation
View
- The establishment provides 6 accessible accommodation facilities with an ensuite and/or separate accessible bathroom.
- This information refers to the adapted room.
- The accessible facilities are located within the adapted room.
- There is level access from an accessible entrance.
- The room number viewed was Room 14 AZ.
- The width of the door to the room is 92cm (3ft).
- The dimensions of the clear floor space are 550cm x 550cm (18ft 1in x 18ft 1in).
- The bed is 50cm (1ft 8in) high.
- Light switches are within 120cm (4ft) 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 dimensions of the bathroom are 250cm x 230cm (8ft 2in x 7ft 7in).
- The door opens outwards.
- The width of the door to the bathroom is 92cm (3ft).
- The door weight is light.
- There is a functional emergency alarm in the bathroom.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 50cm (1ft 8in).
- 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 in height.
- There is a sink.
- The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the sink is 72cm (2ft 4in).
- There is a mixer tap.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- The measurement of lateral transfer space is 140cm (4ft 7in).
- 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.
- As you face the toilet pan the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There are mirrors.
- The mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- Disposal facilities are not available.
-
Wheel In Shower
View
- There is a wheel in shower.
- The shower head height is adjustable.
- The type of shower controls used are twist/turn.
- The shower seat is flip down.
- The shower seat height is 50cm (1ft 8in).
- There are handrails available.
-
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 good.
- The lighting levels are bright.
-
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 good.
- The colour contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
- Lighting levels are bright.
-
Auxiliary Aids - General
View
- None of the rooms have auxiliary aids for people with sensory impairments.
- The accommodation does not provide other auxiliary aids for people with mobility impairments.
- Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with residents in standard rooms.
- There is / are 6 accessible room(s) with a wheel in shower.
-
Ground Floor Rooms
View
- Ground floor rooms do have level access.
- Rooms are located off theground floor corridors.
- Adjoining rooms are not available.
-
Standard Rooms on Other Floors
View
- There are standard rooms on other floors.
- The other floors can be accessed by lift.
- There is level access to standard rooms on other floors.
- Adjoining rooms are not available.
-
Comments
View
- The entrance door to the adapted room is swipe card controlled.
Adapted Room - House 3
- The photographs show both the room study space including the desk area and the roll in shower complete with fold down seat.
Communal Kitchen
- There is one communal kitchen per flat.
- The kitchen is equipped with low level worktops that contain a sink and hob.
- There is also a microwave placed at a low level.
- There are also ovens and fridge/freezers.
- The kitchens also have all of the previously described equipment at a height of 90cm.
Outside Access (House 1)
- This information is for the entrance located off the Podium area.
- There is level access into the venue.
- The main doors open towards you (pull).
- The doors are single width.
- The doors are heavy.
- The door opening is 92cm (3ft 0in) wide.
-
Comments
View
- The entrance is swipe card controlled.
Inside Access (House 1)
- There is level access to the service.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Other Floors (House 1)
-
Steps
View
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1-2-3-4-5-6-7.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The lighting level is bright.
- 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 (House 1)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located on the left as you enter.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are 1-2-3-4-5-6-7.
- The lift is 2m (6ft 7in) from House 1 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 140cm x 100cm (4ft 7in x 3ft 3in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- 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 controls do not have Braille markings.
- The lift controls do have tactile markings.
- The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
- The lighting level in the lift is bright.
Accommodation (Studio Flat - House 1)
-
Location of Accessible Accommodation
View
- The establishment provides 6 accessible accommodation facilities with an ensuite and/or separate accessible bathroom.
- This information refers to the studio flat.
- The accessible facilities are located within the studio flat.
- There is level access from an accessible entrance.
- The room number viewed was S1 AZ.
- The width of the door to the room is 92cm (3ft).
- The dimensions of the clear floor space are 550cm x 550cm (18ft 1in x 18ft 1in).
- The bed is 50cm (1ft 8in) high.
- Light switches are within 120cm (4ft) 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 dimensions of the bathroom are 250cm x 230cm (8ft 2in x 7ft 7in).
- The door opens outwards.
- The width of the door to the bathroom is 92cm (3ft).
- The door weight is light.
- There is a functional emergency alarm in the bathroom.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 50cm (1ft 8in).
- 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 in height.
- There is a sink.
- The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the sink is 72cm (2ft 4in).
- There is a mixer tap.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- The measurement of lateral transfer space is 140cm (4ft 7in).
- 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.
- As you face the toilet pan the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There are mirrors.
- The mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- Disposal facilities are not available.
-
Wheel In Shower
View
- There is a wheel in shower.
- The shower head height is adjustable.
- The type of shower controls used are twist/turn.
- The shower seat is flip down.
- The shower seat height is 50cm (1ft 8in).
- There are handrails available.
-
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 good.
- The lighting levels are bright.
-
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 good.
- The colour contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
- Lighting levels are bright.
-
Auxiliary Aids - General
View
- None of the rooms have auxiliary aids for people with sensory impairments.
- The accommodation does not provide other auxiliary aids for people with mobility impairments.
- Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with residents in standard rooms.
- There is / are 6 accessible room(s) with a wheel in shower.
-
Ground Floor Rooms
View
- Ground floor rooms do have level access.
- Rooms are located off the ground floor corridors.
- Adjoining rooms are not available.
-
Standard Rooms on Other Floors
View
- There are standard rooms on other floors.
- The other floors can be accessed by lift.
- There is level access to standard rooms on other floors.
- Adjoining rooms are not available.
Studio Flat - House 1
- The adapted Studio Flats have a lowered worktop which houses the hob and sink.
- There is a fridge and microwave.
- The photographs show both the kitchen area and roll in shower with folds down seat.
Inside Access (Common Room)
- There is level access to the service(s).
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does play background music.
- The lighting levels are bright.
-
Comments
View
- The Student Common Room is equipped with large flat screen TV's on the wall, tables and chairs, tabletop football and vending machines.
- There are also electrical sockets and WiFi to allow students to work/study within the common room.
Laundry Room
- There are communal laundry facilities located off the Student Common Room.
- There are low level washing machines and tumble dryers.
Accessible Toilet (Common Room)
- There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
-
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.
- The accessible toilet is 35m (38yd) from the Main Entrance and Reception - House 2.
- The accessible toilet is located off the common room.
- There is level access to the accessible toilet.
-
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 twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The door is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 225cm x 145cm (7ft 5in 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is not a flush on the transfer side.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is a functional emergency alarm available.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a coat hook.
-
Position of Fixtures
View
- Wall mounted 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 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 50cm (1ft 8in).
- 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The toilet roll holder is 105cm (3ft 5in) high.
- There is a sink.
- The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The sink is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
-
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 grab rails and wall is good.
- The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Standard Toilet(s) (Common Room)
-
Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
View
- Standard toilets are available.
-
Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
View
- The female and male toilets are located off the common room.
- The female and male toilets are 35m (38yd) from the Main Entrance and Reception - House 2.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilet.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Additional Info
- Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
- 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
- The Podium area can be accessed by using either the lift in House 2 or by the steps at the rear of the reception area.
- The photograph shows both the Podium area and the steps leading to the area.