Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Mary Fergusson Hall

Heriot-Watt University, The Freeway, Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Introduction

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • Heriot-Watt University is located between the A71 and A70 near Currie, adjacent to the western A720 Edinburgh Bypass, near the M8 interchange. The accommodation is located at the end of The Freeway which is reached by continuing through The Avenue in the main University campus.
    • There is on site designated parking at the Anna MacLeod Hall, with drop offs possible beside each building. There may be some standard parking available on The Freeway and there are various car parks throughout the campus. The nearest campus car park to the accommodation is Car Park J, followed by G and H (or possibly I via Boundary Road).
  • By Bus View
    • The main campus 900m away is well served by bus. Lothian buses 25, X25, 34, 45, 63 and N25/N34 serve the University campus.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest railway station is Curriehill around 1 mile away. Edinburgh Park is also close (1.5 miles) and the main stations of Haymarket (4 miles) and central Edinburgh Waverly (6 miles) can be reached using public transport or taxi.
  • By Tram View
    • Edinburgh Park station is the nearest Edinburgh Trams stop with links to the airport and city centre.

Site/Campus Car Park (Car Park J)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off The Freeway.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Robert Bryson Hall.
    • 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 available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 500cm x 480cm (16ft 5in x 15ft 9in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access to the car park from the accommodation and other nearby buildings.
    • This car park is clearly signposted from the Robert Bryson Hall and surrounding roads.
  • Comments View
    • The public campus car parks are Car Parks A, B, G, H, I and J.
    • There are Blue Badge bays in Car Park A, B and J.
    • Car Park I is located to the north of the campus via Boundary Road.
    • Car Parks A and B are located to the east end near the campus entrance.
    • Car Parks G, H and J are located to the south and west of the campus.
    • Other car parks are for permit holders only.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The card reader/lock is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • 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 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is easy.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • Comments View
    • There are similar doors at each end of the building.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are medium.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located ahead as you enter.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2 and 3.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 4m (4yd 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 dimensions of the lift are 104cm x 131cm (3ft 5in x 4ft 4in).
  • 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 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.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2 and 3.
    • The stairs are located to the rear as you enter.
    • The stairs are approximately 9m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the stairwell on all 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 similar staircases throughout the building.

Accommodation

  • Location of Accessible Accommodation View
    • The establishment provides 8 accessible room(s) with ensuite facilities and/or separate accessible bathroom.
    • The accessible facilities are located throughout the building, on each floor.
    • There is level access from an accessible entrance.
    • The room number viewed was F 7C.
    • The width of the door to the room is 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • The dimensions of the clear floor space are 195cm x 280cm (6ft 5in x 9ft 2in).
    • The bed is 55cm (1ft 10in) high.
    • Light switches are within 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • There is a functional emergency alarm in the room.
    • It is a push button style of alarm.
    • 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 196cm x 256cm (6ft 5in x 8ft 5in).
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The width of the door to the bathroom is 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • There is not a functional emergency alarm in the bathroom.
    • It is tied up and out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 50cm (1ft 8in).
    • There is not a toilet roll holder.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the wash basin is 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • The measurement of lateral transfer space is 130cm (4ft 3in).
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet pan the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There are mirrors.
    • The mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • Disposal facilities are not available.
  • Bath and Shower View
    • There is not a bath.
  • 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 42cm (1ft 5in).
    • There are handrails available for the shower.
  • Colour contrast and lighting in accessible rooms View
    • The colour contrast between the external room door and wall is medium.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is medium.
    • The colour contrast between the internal room door and wall is medium.
    • The colour contrast between external ensuite / bathroom door and wall is medium.
    • The lighting levels are adjustable.
  • Colour contrast and lighting in accessible bathroom View
    • The colour contrast between the internal bathroom door and wall is medium.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor in the bathroom is medium.
    • The colour contrast between the dropdown rails and wall is high.
    • The colour contrast between the grab rails and wall is high.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Auxiliary Aids - General View
    • Some of the rooms have auxiliary aids for people with sensory impairments.
    • There is / are 0 accessible room(s) with a bath.
    • There is / are several accessible room(s) with a wheel in shower.
  • Ground Floor Rooms View
    • Ground floor rooms do have level access.
    • None of these rooms are accessed by platform lift.
    • 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
    • Guide dogs are welcome to stay with residents in standard rooms.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • 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 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right as you enter.
    • There is level access to this 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 locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 190cm x 220cm (6ft 3in x 7ft 3in).
    • 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • 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 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 female sanitary and general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • 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 not a mirror.
    • 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 106cm (3ft 6in).
    • 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • 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 good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There is also 58cm space to the right as you face the toilet.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • There are no standard toilets within this venue.

SafeZone

  • SafeZone is a free app based system for students and staff that enhances their personal safety. SafeZone extends the reach of campus safety and security, to cater for the real time needs of the people who use campus every day. It provides a quick and easy way for users to alert SafeGuarding Services, when help or assistance is needed.
  • For information about the SafeZone please click here.