Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Downing College

Contact Details

Address

Regent Street,
Cambridge, CB2 1DQ

Tel.

01223 334 800

Fax

01223 760 896

Email

senior-tutor@dow.cam.ac.uk

Web

www.dow.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contact

Ms Jane Perks, Tutorial and Admissions Manager

Tel

01223 334 826

Fax

01223 760 896

Email

admissions@dow.cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

Location

Regent Street, a five minute walk from the main centre. Back gate straight to the Downing Site. A five minute walk to the New Museums Site. 15–20 minute walk to the Sidgwick Site and the University Library.

Traffic

Regent Street is busy, with heavy traffic and parked cars. Pavements are not huge and are often cluttered with bicycles.

Services and shops

Many restaurants and shops on Regent Street. Main city centre also very close.

Parking

Parking in College, available by prior arrangement. There are a couple of public disabled parking bays in Regent Street.

Other transport options

Central bus station a five minute walk away.

General Information

412 undergraduates and 280 postgraduates. For men and women.

Smoking

No smoking in any College building.

Medical facilities

Nurse available every weekday (tel. 01223 334 817).

Emergency procedures

Please report to porters' lodge if you will need help in an emergency. No specific evacuation facilities.

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair-accessible rooms

Six adapted en suite rooms, three usually reserved for graduate students.

Other rooms

Lots of ground floor rooms available, which can be adapted for individual needs. A third of the student rooms are en suite.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

Live-in assistants and dogs a possibility, decided on an individual basis.

Early induction and vacation stays

Possibly, again decided on an individual basis. Not free of charge.

Catering arrangements

Kitchen facilities depend on where you live. One kitchen is adapted for a wheelchair user but most are not designed for full self-catering. Arrangements for extra facilities may be possible on an individual basis.

Special diets

Speak to catering staff regarding special diets.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Level access at main entrance. Level access, although fairly narrow, from Downing Site and Lensfield Road. Generally flat, but paths are mostly gravel, which can be very hard for wheelchairs. The College site is very large.

College buildings in general

Hall and cafeteria are fully accessible. Main College offices fully accessible. Most other buildings accessible, although often by side doors and back ways.

Bar

Level access to Butterfield bar via side door. Level, smooth and fairly spacious inside. Accessible toilet.

Cafeteria

Fully accessible.

Chapel

Four steps up to chapel entrance, through double doors. Spacious inside. Fixed pews. One step to altar. Temporary ramp available on arrangement.

College offices

All main College offices fully accessible.

Common rooms

JCR has level access and an accessible toilet. MCR is ramped, through heavy doors.

Computer facilities

Ramped entrance through two sets of double doors and a security keypad. Level access to ramped entrance is only via a large area of grass, a locked gate, and the Rose Garden.

Dining hall

Next to cafeteria and fully accessible. Spacious inside, with moveable chairs.

Gardens

Gardens have level gravel paths and large lawns, both difficult for wheelchairs. Some benches.

Laundry

Two laundries on site. Both laundries have one step at entrance, and a heavy door.

Library

Main door is revolving. Ramped access via side door, which has to be opened electronically from inside the library. No doorbell. Remote control door opener available to resident students. Lift to all floors. Accessible toilet in basement.

Porters' lodge and post room

Ramped access via side entrance.

Sport facilities

Gym is in basement and not accessible. Sports fields are off Grantchester Road. Pavilion with accessible toilets and changing facilities.

Toilets

Accessible toilets near Porters' Lodge, basement of library, Butterfield bar, by the SCR, between B and C staircases and on the ground floor of the Howard building.

Other

• Howard building, used for conferences and meetings. Level access to ground floor. Lift to upper floor. Accessible toilet on ground floor.

Visual Impairments

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs possible, 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. Lift and security keypads in Braille, some touch sensitive.

Library and magnification equipment

Lighting fairly dim in library. No computers or other facilities. WiFi area.

Signs and wayfinding

Good signposting, with some directional signs including Braille. Site is very large, but most places are easily located with directions.

Other

• Few markings on steps. Take particular care outside library, where there is an unmarked sharp drop on all sides, other than the ramp.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

Inductions loops fitted in some rooms and administrative offices as well as in the Dining Hall, Howard Building and Howard Theatre.

Alarms

Visual or sensory alarms are or can be installed in adapted rooms.

Other

• Library very quiet.
• Soft furnishings in bar.

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

October 2009 will see a new accessible theatre and access to the College from Tennis Court Road.