Access Guide
Summary
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Building
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- Services / Facilities within the building include; Dining Hall, Bar, Mail Hall, Common Room and Function Room.
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Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
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- Accessible toilet facilities are located on the upper ground level of the building.
- Female standard toilet facilities are located on the upper ground level of the building and on the first floor.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located on the upper ground level of the building and on the first floor.
Getting Here
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By Road
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- The College of St Hild and St Bede is located off the Gilesgate Roundabout on the A690, which links Junction 62 of the A1(M) with the City Centre.
- There are several car parks located throughout the College site, which require a permit to park. Permits can be issued to visitors on request.
- For more information on how to get to the College please click here (opens new tab).
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By Bus
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- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the campus.
- Bus routes 20 and X20, which run between Durham and Sunderland, stop on Leazes Road, just outside the College.
- For more information on the bus routes 20 and X20 to the College please click here (opens new tab).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Durham.
- Durham Railway Station is located approximately 1 mile to the east of the College, on the far side of the city centre and River Wear. Buses run from outside the station to the city centre.
- For more information on trains to Durham please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on Durham Railway Station please click here (opens new tab).
- AccessAble Related Links View
Useful Information
- Disability Support is located on the ground floor in the Palatine Centre, and provides information, advice and guidance to prospective and current students who disclose a disability as well as students who think they may have a disability.
The service is part of the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate. - To see more information on Disability Support please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Student Support and Wellbeing please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Applying To Durham please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on College Accommodation and Facilities please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Accommodation and Allocations Office please click here (opens new tab).
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 staff permit holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
- The car park is located in front 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 not available.
- 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 car park surface is concrete.
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Site/Campus Car Parks
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- There is not a site/campus car park within approximately 200m.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
Outside Access (College of St Hild and St Bede)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- This entrance gives access to College of St Hild and St Bede.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'College of St Hild and St Bede Caedmon Hall'.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are light.
- The width of the door opening is 69cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance .
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 1 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
Outside Access (Senior Common Room and Whittaker Room)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building opposite the Chapel.
- This entrance gives access to the dining hall.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'SENIOR COMMON ROOM WHITTAKER ROOM'.
- There is stepped access at this entrance.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are light.
- The width of the door opening is 71cm.
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located just before the entrance leading down from the Chapel.
- There is/are 15+ step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the step(s).
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are not easy to grip.
- Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
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Comments
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- To the left of the entrance there are male and female toilets as well as the common room (photograph 5 and 6).
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is not step-free access throughout the building .
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Circulation
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- There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is laminate, carpet and vinyl.
- There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Signage
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- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
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Safe Place(s)
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- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
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Audio
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- This venue does play background music in communal areas.
- Music is played in the Dining Hall.
- There is not a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.
Entrance (Bar)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located to the right of the main entrance.
- This entrance gives access to the bar.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Bar'.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are light.
- The width of the door opening is 62cm.
Eating and Drinking (Dining Hall)
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Location and Access
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- The following information is for the refectory.
- The refectory is located on the First floor.
- There is stepped access to the refectory.
- For access there are double manual doors which is permanently held open.
- The door opening width is under 75cm.
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Service and Menus
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- Tables can be booked in advance.
- There is a self service counter.
- Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
- Menu types include; menu boards.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- The type of food served here is Breakfast and Main Meals.
- Takeaway cups are available.
- Adapted cups are not available.
- Adapted cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- This area does play background music.
- Background music is only played at certain times.
- There is not a hearing assistance system .
- The hearing assistance system is not signed.
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Service Counter(s)
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- The height of the counter is 87cm.
- There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered section of the counter.
- The height of the tray counter/rail is 84cm.
- The type of flooring in this area is vinyl.
- Lighting levels can be adjusted by a member of staff upon request.
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Self-Service Counter(s)
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- The height of the counter is 95cm.
- There is not a moveable card machine available for payment.
- The type of flooring in this area is vinyl.
- Lighting levels can be adjusted by a member of staff upon request.
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Tables and Seating
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- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Staff can move furniture to make a table accessible to wheelchair users.
- The distance between the floor and the underside of the lowest dining table is 70cm.
- The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 70cm.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests on both sides.
- The type of flooring in this area is vinyl.
- There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The lighting levels are good.
- Lighting levels can be adjusted by a member of staff upon request.
- Lighting levels may be lower in the evening.
Eating and Drinking (Bar)
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Location and Access
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- The following information is for the bar.
- The bar is located on the upper ground floor to the right of the main entrance.
- There is step-free access to the bar.
- For access there are double manual doors which are easy to open.
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Service and Menus
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- Tables cannot be booked in advance.
- There is full table service and a bar where drinks can be ordered.
- Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
- Menu types include; menu boards.
- Menus are not clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- Drinking straws are available.
- This area does play background music.
- Background music is only played at certain times.
- There is not a hearing assistance system .
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Service Counter(s)
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- The height of the counter is 110cm.
- There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
- The type of flooring in this area is laminate.
- Lighting levels can be adjusted by a member of staff upon request.
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Tables and Seating
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- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Staff can move furniture to make a table accessible to wheelchair users.
- The distance between the floor and the underside of the lowest dining table is 70cm.
- The distance between the floor and the underside of the highest dining table is 75cm.
- The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 70cm.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests on both sides.
- There are also coffee tables and long tables.
- The type of flooring in this area is laminate.
- There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- The lighting levels are good.
- Lighting levels can be adjusted by a member of staff upon request.
Step(s) (Bar)
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Stepped Level Change 1
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- There is a/are step(s) located to the rear of the bar to enter the lower ground of the room.
- The step(s) is/are used to access the lower ground seating area for the bar.
- There is/are 4 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are not easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
- There are similar steps to access the same area, they have hand rails on both sides (photograph 3 and 4).
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Stepped Level Change 2
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- There is a/are step(s) located to the rear of the bar.
- The step(s) is/are used to access Snooker Room.
- There is/are 2 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are not easy to grip.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
Step(s) (Main Hall)
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Stepped Level Change 1
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- There is a/are step(s) located inside the main hall directly to the left of the entrance.
- The step(s) is/are used to access the main hall.
- There is/are 7 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
- Similar steps which lead to the stage and raised area are on the side (photograph 3 and 4).
Lift
- The lift is located on the ground floor to the right as you walk in the main entrance.
- The lift is clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- The lift is a chair stair lift.
- A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G and Upper G.
- The lighting levels in the lift are good.
- The chair lift provides access to the Bar and toilets on the Upper Ground Floor.
Other Floors
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Stairs
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- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are located to the right as you enter the building.
- The stairs are approximately 8m from the main entrance.
- The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, UG and 1.
- There are 11 steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are not easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
- The lighting levels at the steps are good.
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Other Information
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- The service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the dining hall.
Accessible Toilet(s) (Right Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located on the upper ground floor in the corridor to the right.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the upper ground floor landing.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a gender neutral toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is written text and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is low.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is light.
- The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 89cm.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 148cm x 217cm.
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The height of the light switch/pull cord is 82cm from floor level.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 70cm.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is low.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is not an emergency alarm.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is not a mirror.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The toilet has a backrest and a cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- 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 height of the toilet roll holder is 110cm (3ft 7in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 70cm (2ft 4in).
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the right hand side of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is low.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 96cm.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 92cm (3ft).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is low.
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Baby Changing Facilities
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- Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
- There is a flip down baby change table available .
- The height of the baby change table is 88cm.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located on the upper ground floor in the corridor to the right.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m from the upper ground floor landing.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 81cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are good.