Disability Resource Centre (DRC)
Darwin College
Contact Details
- Address
- Silver Street,
Cambridge, CB3 9EU - Tel.
- 01223 335 675
- Fax
- 01223 335 667
- deanery@dar.cam.ac.uk
- Web
- www.dar.cam.ac.uk
Access Issues
- Contact
- Dr Giselle Walker, Associate Dean
- Tel.
- 01223 335 660
- Fax
- 01223 335 667
- gw265@cam.ac.uk
Location, Services and Transport
Just outside city centre, near the Backs. Approximately five minutes walk to city centre and Sidgwick Site, ten minutes walk to the Downing Site and New Museums Site, and ten minutes walk to the University Library.
Traffic
Traffic is restricted along Silver Street. From 6am–10am inbound traffic only is allowed, and 4pm to midnight outbound traffic only. Otherwise the road is closed to most traffic. Service vehicles, taxis, buses and disabled drivers can obtain permits to lower the barriers.
Services and shops
City centre. There are various restaurants, snack bars and pubs, as well as the University Centre, in nearby Mill Lane and on Newnham Corner, within a few minutes walking distance.
Parking
Parking is extremely limited on College sites. There is some parking near a hostel on Newnham Road. Parking permits for disabled students are negotiable.
Other transport options
The Uni 4 and Citi 4 bus stops outside the College in Silver Street.
General Information
Student population is 578 postgraduates. A postgraduate College for men and women, located near the city centre, the river, and large parks. Extensive building work to improve disabled access and facilities is ongoing.
Smoking
No smoking in public areas, student rooms or hostels. Smoking is allowed in designated and signed parts of the grounds only.
Medical facilities
No nurse. First aiders available.
Emergency procedures
Advise porters' lodge if you will need help evacuating in an emergency. Evacuation chair being acquired.
Accommodation and Catering
Wheelchair-accessible rooms
Some accessible accommodation in nearby hostels, and more will shortly be available on the main site. Discuss any adaptations you may need well in advance.
Other rooms
Most rooms for disabled students are en suite. There are several ground floor rooms in hostels.
Live-in assistants and assistance dogs
Live-in assistants and dogs can be accommodated, but discuss your needs well in advance.
Early induction and vacation stays
As a graduate College, length of occupation is flexible. Early induction and staying over vacation is negotiable.
Catering arrangements
Cafeteria serves lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday in the dining hall. Payment is made on a monthly bill, and chits are filled in for every meal taken. Every set of accommodation has a good kitchen, and full self-catering is certainly possible.
Special diets
Some special diets can be accommodated, with notice. Speak to the Executive Chef. Foods potentially affecting nut allergies are highlighted.
Physical Access
College grounds in general
Main (front) entrance, leading to most public areas, has four steps up with handrail. A wheelchair lift is being installed currently at the garden entrance. Level access through gate on Newnham Road (hall and garden) and at the side entrance on Silver Street (library/study centre and garden).
College buildings in general
Main public areas are off one corridor in the main building, which has four steps up from ground level. Access is possible via a service lift to the main and upper levels, and shortly via the lift at the garden entrance to the main level. There is a separate library and study centre, which has level access from the garden.
Bar
Level access from main corridor. Smooth and spacious inside, with a fairly low bar counter. Low tables and moveable chairs and stools. New disabled toilet near bar and main entrances.
Cafeteria
Located next to dining hall. Service lift from outside, but arrange this with the porters in advance. Room for a wheelchair, and staff will help.
Chapel
No chapel.
College offices
Tutorial offices (in Darwin this is known as The Deanery) on first floor, but staff can easily arrange meetings elsewhere in the College as necessary. Most other College offices are on the ground floor off the main corridor.
Common rooms
Games room next to bar, with level access from main corridor. TV room accessible from garden bridge entrance with assistance, or else is four steps down from main corridor. The parlour, old library and reading room have level access from main corridor, and are spacious inside.
Computer facilities
These are spacious inside.
Dining hall
On first floor, up a flight of carpeted stairs with handrail. Service lift from outside, but arrange this with the porters in advance. Large, smooth and spacious, with moveable furniture.
Fellows' areas
Fellows' study on first floor, with stair access only.
Gardens
Level access from main gate or side entrance. Uneven slabbed paving. Bridge over river (with steps only) to islands. There are proposals for a second wheelchair-friendly bridge to the islands.
Laundry
Accessible from garden bridge entrance or down four steps from main corridor. Separate laundries in hostels.
Library
Level access from garden. Two levels, with stairs only to upper level. Steps to higher bookshelves. One accessible work table area downstairs. Only staffed for six hours each week, so call in advance to arrange an assisted visit if necessary. Disabled toilet.
Porters' Lodge and post room
Level access from main corridor. Undergoing major refurbishment to improve access and security.
Sport facilities
Fitness room accessible from garden bridge entrance or down four steps from main corridor. Keypad access. No college-owned sports fields, but there are arrangement to share tennis courts and sports facilities with other Colleges, including boathouse for rowing. The College has a Punt Club operating five punts, and some canoes and kayaks, from the main domus.
Toilets
Disabled toilet on main corridor, and another in library and study centre.
Other
- The Reading Room has level access from main corridor. Low tables and most seats have armrests.
- The Old Library, used for meetings, has level access from main corridor.
- The Old Bursary and Hermitage seminar rooms are used for supervisions and have level access from main corridor.
- No 1 Newnham Terrace seminar rooms are accessible up two steps from the garden and a short flight (six steps) of stairs.
Visual Impairments
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs welcome.
Computer facilities
Special hardware or software for visually impaired users is acquired as necessary.
Large print, Braille and audio
Large print letters and information on request. The College are improving signage to include tactile signing.
Library and magnification equipment
No special facilities for text enlargement. Very good lighting, with large windows. Photocopiers are located in the main building.
Signs and wayfinding
Some directional signposting. This is being improved and augmented. The College is small and constructed around a single main corridor spine, so wayfinding is not a problem.
Other
- Excellent lighting in hall, library and main public areas.
- No barriers or warnings around river access points, so care essential especially at night.
- Glass doors between garden and main building are currently being automated but beware as they are sometimes hard to see.
Hearing Impairments
Induction loops
Induction loop being installed in the porters' lodge. Portable induction loop for use in Old Library and supervision rooms being acquired.
Alarms
Visual or sensory alarms have been used previously and are moved and installed as required.
Other
- There is some traffic noise from Silver Street, and in summer the commercial punts outside on the river can be very noisy, though for a short duration.
- The reading room is a designated quiet area (no mobile phones or laptops).
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 the Deanery or appointed Dean (tutor).
Planned Access Improvements
Major building work currently underway to improve access to the main building, including installing a wheelchair lift, further induction loops and improved signage.