Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Clare Hall

Contact Details

Address

Herschel Road,
Cambridge, CB3 9AL

Tel.

01223 332 360

Fax

01223 332 333

Email

college.secretary@clarehall.cam.ac.uk

Web

www.clarehall.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contacts

Dr Bobbie Wells, Senior Tutor
Mrs Irene Hills, Tutorial Administrator

Tel.

01223 332 363

Fax

01223 332 333

Email

rsw13@cam.ac.uk

ih237@cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

Located on a quiet street off Grange Road. It is a 15 minute walk to the city centre, a five minute walk to the University Library, 5–10 minutes to the Sidgwick Site and 20-25 minutes to the New Museums Site and Downing Site.

Traffic

Traffic calming measures are in place along Grange Road and Herschel Road, but Grange Road can be busy during rush hour. There are quite a few parked cars outside the College, but pavements are wide.

Services and shops

City centre or Newnham.

Parking

Underground car park on main site, with lift access to building through two heavy doors. Parking also available at West Court nearby. Disabled students can obtain a permit. Two disabled spaces at pavement level outside college, with access to front of college via automatic gate, accessed by swipe card, and path with ramp.

Other transport options

Uni 4 and Citi 4 buses stop close by on Grange Road.

General Information

160 postgraduates and 40 resident research and visiting Fellows. For men and women postgraduates and Fellows only. Small, close-knit graduate and research College, founded by Clare College in 1966. There is a strong democratic outlook and an emphasis on independence. Family friendly. An access audit has recently taken place in Clare Hall, and some adaptations have been made to improve disabled access. The College's other site, West Court, is a short walk up Herschel Road.

Smoking

No smoking in any College building, including accommodation. The College is considering extending this ban to College gardens and grounds.

Medical facilities

No nurse. First aider on site, trained for staff only. Stocked first aid kits in every building. First aiders or a nurse could be called from another College if necessary.

Emergency procedures

Advise porters' lodge if you will need help evacuating in an emergency. There are no evacuation chairs. Individual plans for disabled members of College are drawn up according to risk assessments.

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair-accessible rooms

Three suites are fully accessible for students wheelchair users, two in West Court.. These have adapted ensuite bathrooms and kitchens nearby. One other room has been adapted for a disabled student, although not specifically a wheelchair user.

Other rooms

Various ground floor and ensuite rooms can be adapted as necessary. Students and Fellows with declared disabilities can have guaranteed accommodation whilst at Clare Hall.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

Live-in assistants are not possible due to pressure on accommodation. Live-in assistance dogs are a possibility, but please discuss in advance.

Early induction and vacation stays

Flexible accommodation arrangements, as this is a graduate College.

Catering arrangements

Catering run by an external company, and you are advised to book in advance if you would like hot lunch or dinner. No breakfasts or weekend meals provided. Formal hall once a week. Kitchens in student houses are generally large, and self-catering is usual. Some adapted kitchen facilities.

Special diets

Discuss special diets with your tutor and the catering manager, as individual arrangements can be made. Information regarding allergies must be provided in advance so that arrangements can be made.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Main entrance from road has several steps and a bell and intercom for assistance. Swipe card access only from 10pm to 8.30am. Ramped side entrance, with automatic gate, accessed via swipe card. It is rather a long way round. The College is built on several levels, so there are quite a few steps around the site.

College buildings in general

Several platform lifts and ramps have been installed to make the main areas of College accessible to wheelchair users. Most steps and stairs have handrails. Some doors are very narrow and heavy.

Bar

Platform lifts to bar in main building. Smooth and spacious, with moveable furniture and some seats with armrests. Platform lift to student bar in Anthony Low building. Smooth and spacious inside, with accessible balcony. Disabled toilet on ground floor near lift.

Cafeteria

See entry for dining hall.

Chapel

No chapel.

College offices

Ground floor accessible by platform lift, or via side entrance and ramp. Tutorial office is wheelchair accessible, as is development office.

Common rooms

Games room on ground floor of Anthony Low building, with level access and a disabled toilet.

Computer facilities

Room on ground floor of Anthony Low building, with level access and a disabled toilet.< /p>

Dining hall

Dining hall on upper floor of main building, with access by two platform lifts. Smooth and spacious, with long moveable tables and chairs.

Fellows' areas

No designated Fellows' areas, due to the democratic and non-hierarchical nature of the College.

Gardens

Gardens all around College site, most accessible. Some slabbed paving and some rather difficult gravel paths. A few benches. Children's play area in one corner of main site.

Laundry

Main laundry accessible via garage. Second laundry, also accessible, at West Court. Individual arrangements can be made if necessary.

Library

Security keypad entrance through heavy door, with one step up to bookshelves. Alternative level access by arrangement through Elmside next door. Small inside, with several private studies. Central workspace rather cramped.

Porters' lodge and post room

At entrance to College offices and dining hall. Accessible via automatic doors. Porters on duty 8.00am–10.30pm daily. Mail boxes in main entrance hall and on lower floor. Individual arrangements can be made if necessary.

Sport facilities

Swimming pool and multi-gym in West Court, a short walk down Herschel Road. These are on the ground floor, but there are no disabled changing or toilet facilities.

Toilets

Disabled toilets in Anthony Low building, in library, and near lift from underground car park.

Visual Impairments

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs welcome.

Computer facilities

Special hardware or software for visually impaired users could be acquired if necessary, and has been in the past.

Large print, Braille and audio

Large print letters and information on request. Photocopier available for text enlargement.

Library and magnification equipment

No special facilities for text enlargement. Signs on shelves and studies are very small. Lighting is good.

Signs and wayfinding

Site map at entrance.

Other

• Indoor stairs are mostly marked, and have continuous handrails.
• Outdoors steps and stairs are mostly unmarked, but do have handrails.
• Good lighting around garden paths and buildings.
• Large windows and good lighting in bar and hall.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

No induction loops currently.

Alarms

Visual or sensory alarms could be acquired if needed.

Other

• Harsh furnishings and difficult acoustics in hall.
• Other rooms and buildings, especially the library, are small, carpeted and softly furnished.
• The College is quiet and peaceful as a whole, with little traffic noise.

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.
• As this is a graduate College, there is no formal teaching. Discuss your needs with your tutor.

Planned Access Improvements

Ongoing programme of adaptations in accordance with recent access audit.