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D/J & D/L - Blocks J & L (Derwent College)

University of York, Campus West, Zone 5, York, YO10 5DD

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • Derwent College Blocks L and J form a medium sized building. The two blocks connect together with no easy to see line of distinction.
      There are 3 floors in Block L and 4 in Block J.
    • There is 1 main lift and 1 main staircase in Block L.
      In Block J there are 3 main staircases and no lifts.
    • The floors in Block L are signed as Ground, First and Second Floors. The first floor also has separate lower and upper areas.
      The floors in Block J are signed as Ground, First, Second and Third Floors. The ground, first and second floors also have separate lower and upper areas.
    • There is a separate Derwent College Block L Annexe which links into the rest of Block L via an entrance into D/L/028 Hendrix Hall and staff areas only.
      The Courtyard café in Block L can be accessed via the ground floor of Block M.
      There is stepped access into Block L on the first floor from Block M.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
    • There is a campus car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
    • The name of the nearest car park is the D/L Derwent College Block L - Annexe and Derwent College Block M Car Park.
    • The nearest train station is York Station.
  • Related Access Guides View

Getting Inside

  • There are steep slopes or steps on approach to Block L main entrance.
    There are slopes of varying degrees of steepness on approach to the Block J main entrance.
    .
  • There are five entrances into the Blocks L and J combined building. The main entrances into Block J and Block L have level access into the building and automatic double doors, but all have sloped access on approach.
  • The Block L main entrance is signed as Derwent College Block L.
    The Block J main entrance is signed as Derwent College Block J.
    Both corridor entrances are described as Derwent College Block L.
    The entrance to Block L located to the south of the building is signed as Derwent College Block L.
  • There is a steep slope on approach to the Block L entrance to the south of the building which bypasses a step. The entrance has a large threshold and manual doors.
    This entrance provides level access to rooms D/L/036, D/L/037 and standard toilets.
  • There are steps to access the corridor entrances into Block L.
    There is stepped access into the first floor from Block M.
    The lower part of the first floor of Block L can be accessed from a stairwell from Block K.
  • The Courtyard Restaurant can also be accessed from Block M and also has external entrances.
    There is a separate external entrance into the Department of English and Related Languages Reception.

Getting Around

  • There is level access from the Block J main entrance to the Department of English and Related Literature Reception, and toilet with adaptations D/J/011.
    There is level access from the Block L main entrance to rooms D/L/036 - D/L/037 as well as standard toilet facilities.
  • There is a steep slope immediately on entrance to Block J which accesses the majority of the ground floor including the lift.
    There is a steep slope immediately on entrance to Block L which accesses the majority of the ground floor including the lift.
    There are four steps to access the department of Education study area on the ground floor of Block L, this level change can be bypassed by a lift. The first floor area of the study area can be access via the study area lift or a separate staircase.
  • Along the ground floor there is a section of the Block L corridor, which is external to the main building but is cloistered.
    There are automatic double doors along this section of corridor.
    There are steps to access this area and the doors along the corridor may be used as entrance doors with stepped access.
  • Some of the circulation routes on the first floor of Block L also serve as an art gallery.
  • Floor surfaces along the circulation routes vary between carpeted and hard and smooth surfaces with a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation areas with a mixture of seating.
  • There is a wall mounted wayfinding signage provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors in many of the corridors within the building.
    To access rooms D/L/105 - D/L/112 step-free you must travel through Common Room D/L/104. There is stepped access into this area from Block M.
    Some corridors in Block J are narrow.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located next to the Block J main entrance on the ground floor and towards the west of Block L on the first floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor of Block L, the lower part of Block L first floor, Block L on the second floor and on the upper parts of the first floor of Block J.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located on the upper part of the ground floor of Block J.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the upper part of second floor of Block J.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located on the lower parts of the second and third floors of Block J.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the annexe.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 240cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • The hatched/marked zones vary between bays.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 25m from the Derwent College Block L - Annexe main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight ramp or slope.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge bay directly in front of the Block M Department of Education entrance differs from the other two bays.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders and permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
    • There are 60 minute bays for deliveries and service vehicles only.

Entrance (Block J)

  • This entrance is located towards the east of the Block J building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 94cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.

Entrance (Block L)

  • This entrance is located to the west of the Block L building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 124cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.

Lift (Department of Education Study Area)

  • The lift surveyed is located in the Department of Education study area on the ground floor of Block L.
  • The distance from the Block L main entrance is 35m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has a steep ramp or slope and manual doors.
  • The Study Area lower level, Study Area ground floor and Study Area first floor are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 86cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 100cm (width) x 135cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • A key is needed to access the lift.

Lift (L Block Main Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located in front of you on entering Block L via the main entrance.
  • The distance from the Block L main entrance is 8m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has a steep ramp or slope.
  • The ground floor, first floor lower, first floor upper and second floor are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
  • This lift was out of service at the time of survey (February 2025).

Stairs (Block L)

  • The stairs surveyed are located just inside the Block L main entrance.
  • The ground floor, first floor lower, first floor upper and second floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 16 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Block J - Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located just inside the Block J main entrance.
    • The distance from the Block J main entrance is 4m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 200cm (width) x 190cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 110cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 125cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 71cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 130cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 117cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Block L - First Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor of the building.
    • The distance from the Block L main lift is 35m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift, a steep ramp or slope and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 186cm (width) x 300cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 210cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 98cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 104cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 102cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.