Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include halls of residence central building, main reception, shop, sports hall, community centre, meeting rooms, gaming areas, cafe and bar.
- Services / facilities within the grounds include accommodation.
Getting Here
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By Road
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- The Hillhead Student Village on the south bank of the River Don close to Seaton Park.
From Aberdeen centre take the A856 King Street north through Old Aberdeen.
After the St Machar Drive/School Road junction with King Street, continue 500m north and turn left on to Don Street.
Follow the road up the hill and after 650m turn left into the Hillhead Student Village. - Parking around the site is free. There are free car parks and on street parking. Blue Badge bays are available around the site.
- The Hillhead Student Village on the south bank of the River Don close to Seaton Park.
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By Bus
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- The 1A, 20 and N20 all the serve the Student Village. The number 20 bus links directly from the city centre via the Old Aberdeen University Campus.
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By Train
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- The nearest railway station is Aberdeen. Either take a taxi from the taxi rank at the station, or take the number 20 bus from Guild Street outside the station.
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Useful Links
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- For details of bus services please click here.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- For details of train services to and from Aberdeen please click here.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
Useful Information
- To see more information on Disability Service please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01224 273935.
- Email: [email protected].
- The Disability Service team are based on the second floor of the Students' Union Building. Office opening hours are Monday to Friday 09:00 to 16:30.
- To see more information on Student Advice and Support please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01224 273935.
- Email: [email protected].
- The Student Advice and Support team are based on the second floor of the Students' Union Building. Office opening hours are Monday to Friday 09:00 to 16:30.
- To see more information on Accommodation Office please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01224 273502.
- Email: [email protected].
- The Accommodation Office is based in the Infohub at 91 High Street. Office opening hours are Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00.
- To see more information on Student Association please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01224 274200.
- Email:https://www.ausa.org.uk/.
- The Student Association Office is based in Room 010 in the Student Union Building in Elphinstone Road. Office opening hours are Monday to Friday 09:00 to 16:00.
- To see more information on Counselling Service please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01224 272139.
- Email: [email protected].
- The Counselling Service is based at 5 Dunbar Street. Appointment opening Hours are Monday to Friday 09:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 16:00 (closed between 13:00 and 14:00). The front door is locked at 16:15 but the service operates until 17:00.
- Staff receive compulsory training in disability awareness, equality and diversity. There is also training in disability support and mental health support.
Site/Campus Car Park
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Car Park
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- The car park is located off Don Street.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Hillhead Central Building/Wavell House.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- Designated Blue Badge parking bays are not available.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by permit holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
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Car Park Access
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- There is sloped access to the car park from the Hillhead campus.
- This car park is not clearly signposted from the Hillhead campus.
Building Parking
- The building does have its own dedicated parking.
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Building Car Park
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- The car park can be used by permit holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- The car park is located at the rear of the building.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- There is/are 1 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 450cm x 520cm (14ft 9in x 17ft 1in).
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
- The nearest designated bay is 7m (7yd 1ft) from the rear entrance.
- The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance .
- Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
- The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does have tactile paving.
- The car park surface is block paving.
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Site/Campus Car Parks
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- There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
- The name of the car park is Don Street Car Park.
- The car park is located across the street from the rear of the building.
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Public Car Parks
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- There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
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On Street Parking
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- Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are push pad activated.
- 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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Second Set of Doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is / are push pad activated when exiting.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).
Outside Access (Rear Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building to the lower ground floor.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are push pad activated.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 163cm (5ft 4in).
- 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
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is / are push pad activated when exiting.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 154cm (5ft 1in).
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Ramp/Slope
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- There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The ramp/slope gradient is moderate.
Reception
- Main Reception is located to the right as you enter.
- The desk is 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step free access to this reception area.
- The lighting levels in the reception area are bright.
- The reception desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
- There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low counter.
- The desk is staffed.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
- There is/are 3 clearly marked step(s), with handrails on both sides, for access to the upper section of the ground floor.
- The step(s) is/are medium (11cm - 17cm).
- There is a moderate ramp, with handrails on both sides, for access to the upper section of the ground floor.
- The ramp or slope does bypass the step(s).
- The ramp is located ahead as you enter the main entrance, shown in photograph 11. The steps are located round to the left from the main entrance, shown in photograph 12.
- There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
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Getting Around
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- There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
- There is clearly written and pictorial directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
- There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
- The lighting levels are good.
- This building does play background music.
- Music is played in the shop and cafe/bar.
Eating and Drinking
- The following information is for the cafe/bar.
- Full table service is available.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is 18m (19yd 2ft) from the rear entrance.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 35cm (1ft 2in).
- The distance between the floor and the highest table is 94cm (3ft 1in).
- The standard height for tables is 72cm.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
- Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- Menus are wall only.
- Menus are not available in Braille.
- Menus are not available in large print.
- Picture menus are not available.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold snacks and meals.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG - G.
- The stairs are located to the right as you enter.
- The stairs are approximately 11m from the main entrance.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The lighting levels are bright.
- 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.
- There are further steps at the rear of the building, shown in photographs 3 and 4.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the right as you enter.
- The lift is a platform lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG and G.
- Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
- The lift is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The lift door is manual, heavy and opens outwards.
- The dimensions of the lift are 100cm x 138cm (3ft 3in x 4ft 6in).
- 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 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 bright.
Standard Changing Room (Male)
- There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
- The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located to the right as you enter the lower ground floor.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the rear entrance.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the sports hall.
- There is level access to the standard changing room(s).
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Comments
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- There are further standard changing rooms towards the front of the lower ground floor.
- There are female changing rooms in the same locations.
- There are standard showers available within the changing rooms, accessed via 1 deep step.
Accessible Toilet
- There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
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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 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The accessible toilet is located to the right as you enter.
- There is a similar accessible toilet on the lower ground floor. There is a further accessible toilet to the rear of the lower ground floor offering transfer space on the right.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- 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 87cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 176cm x 240cm (5ft 9in x 7ft 10in).
- There is a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space 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 94cm (3ft 1in).
- 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 not fully functional.
- The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are general domestic waste disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- 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 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 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
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- There is a medium colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
- There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are bright.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Location of Standard Toilet(s)
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- There are male and female standard toilets facilities on the lower ground floor and the ground floor.
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Standard Toilet Surveyed
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- A male standard toilet was surveyed.
- The toilet surveyed is located to the left as you enter.
- There is a female standard toilet in the same location.
- There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
- The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 37m from the main entrance.
- There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
- Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.