Disability Resource Centre (DRC)
Gonville and Caius College
Contact Details
- Address
- Trinity Street,
Cambridge, CB2 1TA - Tel.
- 01223 332 400
- Fax
- 01223 332 456
- Web
- www.cai.cam.ac.uk
Access Issues
- Contact
- Admissions Office
- Tel.
- 01223 332 440
- Fax
- 01223 332 456
- ymh23@cam.ac.uk or admissions@cai.cam.ac.uk
Location, Services and Transport
City centre. A 10–15 minute walk to the Downing Site, New Museums Site, Sidgwick Site and University Library.
Traffic
Traffic is restricted along Trinity Street weekdays 10am–4pm, but it is still rather busy with service vehicles, buses and bicycles. Pavements are narrow and cluttered with bicycles, and road surfaces are often cobbled and uneven.
Services and shops
City centre.
Parking
Gravel car park by Harvey Court accommodation block, on West Road. Disabled students can obtain a permit. Several designated disabled bays on King's Parade for short-term parking.
Other transport options
Bus station ten minutes walk away. Uni 4 and Citi 4 bus leaves from West Road.
General Information
475 undergraduates and 230 postgraduates. For men and women. An old College, with many listed buildings. A new building in West Road has good access for disabled students.
Smoking
No smoking in College buildings, including student rooms.
Medical facilities
Nurse holds a weekday surgery during full term (tel. 01223 338 421).
Emergency procedures
Advise porters' lodge if you will need help evacuating in an emergency. The College does have evacuation chairs.
Accommodation and Catering
Wheelchair-accessible rooms
One room adapted for wheelchair use in Old Court, with ensuite bathroom and small adapted kitchen. The new building in West Road, the Stephen Hawking building, has individual sets suitable for wheelchair use, with en suite bathrooms and low-level kitchens.
Live-in assistants and assistance dogs
Live-in assistants a possibility, although actual arrangements would be difficult — discuss well in advance. Assistance dogs also a possibility.
Early induction and vacation stays
Early induction possible. Staying over vacation also negotiable, but you may be asked to move rooms.
Catering arrangements
Cafeteria serves breakfast and lunch daily, and dinner is a served meal in hall. Minimum dining requirement of 43 meals a term. Gyp rooms are small, and not suitable for self-catering. Kitchens near wheelchair-accessible rooms are adapted for wheelchair users.
Special diets
No problems with special diets or allergies, including kosher. Discuss with catering staff. Information on ingredients is available on request.
Physical Access
College grounds in general
Level entrance through main gate. Access between courts is level or ramped. Surfaces generally slabbed paving, rather uneven, but cobbles can be avoided.
College buildings in general
Access to most buildings on main College site is possible, if sometimes a bit difficult. The new Stephen Hawking building on West Road has good access.
Bar
Level access to bar. Fairly small inside, with fixed tables but moveable stools. Low bar counter. One step down to Green room.
Cafeteria
Serves breakfast and lunch. Access via hall. Smooth and level, with low serving counters, but fairly small.
Chapel
Level access through two sets of double doors. Usually one door of each set is bolted. Level throughout, with fixed pews but some ground floor seating. Space for a wheelchair.
College offices
Most offices are on ground floor, but up several steps. Staff can meet you elsewhere on arrangement.
Common rooms
JCR on ground floor, but down one step. MCR is also on ground floor, but up one small step. Temporary ramps can be made available. Both have plenty of space inside.
Computer facilities
Computer room in basement of library, accessed via back door and small wheelchair lift. Almost all rooms networked, except for those in some outlying hostels.
Dining hall
Main dining hall on first floor, accessed via a large flight of stairs with handrail. Disabled access via a small lift to high table, and a temporary ramp down to the main area.
Fellows' areas
Mostly on mezzanine level, accessed via stairs, with handrail, or small lift. Disabled toilet on that level.
Gardens
Located off main site, near Harvey Court. Rather lumpy gravel paths and uneven lawn, accessible but with difficulty. Few benches.
Laundry
Laundry rooms have poor access. Bedders can help with washing.
Library
First floor, up many stairs from main entrance. Lift from back entrance. Several steps down to lift, with a small wheelchair lift to one side. Two levels of shelves, only one accessible by lift. Proximity card access throughout. Spacious and carpeted.
Porters' lodge and post room
Large step up to porters' lodge, through narrow doors. Intercom near door. Mail is kept near the bar, with level access.
Sport facilities
No gym. Sports fields on Barton Road, pavilion not accessible.
Toilets
Disabled toilets on mezzanine level (near Fellows' areas), in library (near the lift) and in the Stephen Hawking building.
Other
- Bateman auditorium in Caius Court has tiered seating, level access to stage and audience, and space for wheelchairs at the front of the seating area.
Visual Impairments
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs welcome.
Computer facilities
Special hardware or software for visually impaired users could be acquired if necessary.
Large print, Braille and audio
Large print letters and information on request.
Library and magnification equipment
No special facilities for text enlargement.
Signs and wayfinding
No directional signposting, but most staircases are clearly marked. The main site is small, and wayfinding is not a problem.
Other
- Most steps and stairs are unmarked, but generally have handrails.
Hearing Impairments
Induction loops
Induction loop in porters' lodge.
Alarms
Adapted sets in the new Stephen Hawking building have visual and sensory alarms. More could be acquired if needed.
Other
- Visitors are restricted, so the College is generally quiet.
- Quiet period over exam time.
- Library in particular has nice soft furnishings, and is very quiet.
Specific Learning Difficulties and Mental Health Issues
Arrangements for students with Specific Learning Difficulties are on an individual basis, in conjunction with the Disability Resource Centre. Discuss your needs with your tutor.
Planned Access Improvements
- Step down to JCR to be ramped.
- Other access improvements will be made as and when they are needed.