Disability Resource Centre (DRC)
Clare College
Contact Details
- Address
- Trinity Lane,
Cambridge, CB2 1TL - Tel.
- 01223 333 200
- Fax
- 01223 333 219
- admissions@clare.cam.ac.uk
- Web
- www.clare.cam.ac.uk
Access Issues
- Contact
- Mrs Anna Walford, Head of Tutorial Office
- Tel.
- 01223 333 246
- Fax
- 01223 333 219
- aw235@cam.ac.uk
Location, Services and Transport
Old Court is on a quiet street a two minute walk from the city centre. Memorial Court is over Queen's Road adjacent to the University Library, and a ten minute walk from the Downing Site, New Museums Site and Sidgwick Site. Colony on Chesterton Road is a ten minute walk from Memorial Court.
Traffic
Queen's Road, between Old Court and Memorial Court, is always busy with traffic and is dangerous, but has two pedestrian crossings. Old Court is on quiet cul-de-sac off Trinity Lane.
Services and shops
City centre.
Parking
Parking available in Memorial Court or Colony by arrangement. Memorial Court car park surface rather uneven.
Other transport options
Uni 4 bus stop on Grange Road. Electric wheelchairs and buggies permitted about the College.
General Information
Around 450 undergraduates and 210 postgraduates. For men and women. The College is on three sites: Old Court (old buildings), Memorial Court (post 1930s and modernised) and the Colony (various styles). Because of the age of Old Court, which is Grade I Listed, access for members with physical disabilities is difficult. However, the College is keen to compensate by being helpful towards applicants with other disabilities.
Smoking
No smoking in public areas. Smoking allowed in student rooms.
Medical facilities
Nurse holds a weekday surgery in the health centre.
Emergency procedures
The portering service is available 24/7, and the porters are fire wardens. A porter would help with evacuation in an emergency.
Accommodation and Catering
Wheelchair-accessible rooms
Three adapted en suite rooms in Memorial Court, and one adapted room in the Colony.
Other rooms
Lots of ground floor and ensuite rooms in Memorial Court. Accommodation on the Old Court site would be difficult for a student with disabilities.
Live-in assistants and assistance dogs
The College would consider a live-in assistant. Assistance dogs have not been needed in College until now, but discuss your needs well in advance.
Early induction and vacation stays
Early induction encouraged, free of charge. Staying over vacations usually possible, at usual room rates.
Catering arrangements
Students are encouraged to eat in hall or buttery as part of the student experience. There are small kitchens on each staircase, but these are not suitable for full self-catering. Minor adaptations could be made.
Special diets
Special diets, including halal, accommodated for formal dinners. No special arrangements made for ordinary cafeteria meals, although there is a wide choice of vegetarian options. Permission would be given for small fridges for individual use.
Physical Access
College grounds in general
Old Court has level access to front and back. Side entrance is narrow and is mostly for kitchen supplies. Slabbed paving and some cobbles. Memorial Court has sloped access via car park, and a rather uneven surface. Paved and gravel paths.
College buildings in general
Access to buildings in Old Court is difficult. Most rooms have several steps up, and there are few handrails. Large lift for JCR/cafeteria/bar/hall. Wheelchair lift linking central courtyard with side passage to be replaced. Portable ramps available.
Bar
In basement below hall, accessed via large cafeteria lift. Two steps in centre. Temporary ramp available. Seating not easy, and no low bar counter.
Cafeteria
In basement below hall, via lift. Smooth and spacious, with moveable furniture. Disabled toilet next to lift.
Chapel
Two steps up from Old Court. Wheelchair lift from side entrance due to be replaced. Double doors, one usually locked. Three further steps up into main chapel. Fixed pews.
College offices
Tutorial office up two steps from Old Court and round corner. Most other offices have steps up or down. Arrangements can be made to meet in more accessible rooms.
Common rooms
Main JCR in Old Court basement, under chapel. Accessed by lift. Hepple room (quiet room), also in Old Court, up short metal ramp and round an awkward corner. Sofa seating.
Computer facilities
Computer room on first floor of library, with no easy access. All rooms networked. Fully accessible ground floor IT room included in planned new building.
Dining hall
Six steps up from Old Court, with handrails. Lift from cafeteria. Access problems to this lift are being addressed. Level and spacious inside. Fixed long tables with moveable chairs.
Fellows' areas
SCR up flight of stairs, no access. Fellows' table in hall raised one step.
Gardens
Located at back of Old Court. Ramped bridge over river. Uneven steps down from bridge, but level access from back entrance. Mostly level, with gravel paths and lawn. Some benches.
Laundry
Old Court laundry in basement, with no easy access. Memorial Court laundry on ground floor, mostly accessible, and will be relocated to fully accessible area in new Memorial Court building.
Library
In Memorial Court. Up six steps. Wheelchair lift to ground floor, but this does not currently work. First floor (languages, philosophy, history) up flight of stairs, with no easy access. Please see Planned Access Improvements below.
Porters' lodge and post room
Old Court Lodge up one small step, through heavy door. Memorial Court Lodge up two steps. Mail kept in Lodges.
Sport facilities
No gym. Sports fields on Bentley Road, near Addenbrooke's Hospital. Parking available.
Toilets
One disabled toilet in buttery, near lift.
Other
- Music recital room on first floor of library, with no easy access. Individual music practice rooms under library, with level access.
Visual Impairments
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs welcome, but discuss in advance.
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
Librarian always willing to research new developments.
Signs and wayfinding
Generally good signage. Small site, so wayfinding is not too hard.
Other
- Lighting in chapel, hall and cafeteria fairly bright.
- Automatic light in lift, and touch-readable buttons.
- Steps generally unmarked — take particular care to avoid tripping on unmarked steps in bar.
Hearing Impairments
Induction loops
Induction loops fitted in three student rooms, porters' lodges, and main conference rooms. Loop will soon be fitted in College office and possibly tutorial office.
Alarms
Visual and sensory alarms, and vibrating pillows, available.
Other
- Hepple room in Old Court is designated quiet social area.
- Flashing phones available on request.
Specific Learning Difficulties and Mental Health Issues
- Lots of experience with and training for Asperger syndrome.
- Flexible at interviews and exams.
- Discuss any Specific Learning Difficulties, including dyslexia, in advance with admissions staff.
Planned Access Improvements
- Planned ramp for chapel to replace non-working wheelchair lift.
- A lift project for the Memorial Court library is being considered and put into a long-term development plan, but nothing is planned for the immediate future.
- Building work for a building at the back of Memorial Court has begun. When finished, it will include a laundry, IT suite on ground floor, and two larger sized bedrooms designed for wheelchair users. All parts of this new building, except the roof, will be accessible.
Other Useful Information
Visits always welcome — please phone the tutorial office to arrange.