Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Fitzwilliam College

Contact Details

Address

Huntingdon Road,
Cambridge, CB3 0DG

Tel.

01223 332 000

Fax

01223 477 976

Email

jpg36@cam.ac.uk

URL

www.fitz.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contact

Dr José Alcántara

Tel.

01223 477 170

Fax

01223 477 976

Email

jia10@cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

Out of centre. It is a 20 minute walk to the city centre down Castle Hill. 30 minutes to the New Museums Site and Downing Site. 15–20 minutes to Sidgwick Site and University Library via Grange Road.

Traffic

Huntingdon Road, Castle Hill and Storey's Way are all very busy with traffic. Pavements are not particularly wide, and crossing the road can be dangerous.

Services and shops

Very little before city centre. A few pubs and Indian restaurants on Castle Hill.

Parking

Plenty of parking, at front and back entrances. Three designated disabled bays. Disabled students can obtain a permit. Disabled conference guests can also park here.

Other transport options

Uni 4 bus stop on Madingley Road. Bus stop on Huntingdon Road.

General Information

474 undergraduates and 180 postgraduates. For men and women. A modern College, located out of centre. A manual wheelchair is available to borrow from porters. A map showing routes for wheelchair users and locations of toilets and lifts available.

Smoking

No smoking in any College building.

Medical facilities

Nurse holds a daily surgery based in New Hall during full term, 9am–12.30pm Mon, Tue, Thurs and Fri, 4pm–7.30pm Wednesday (tel. 01223 762 239). Sick bay in porters' lodge.

Emergency procedures

Advise porters' lodge if you will need help evacuating in an emergency. Refuge areas near lifts.

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair-accessible rooms

Two en suite rooms for wheelchair users, in Wilson Court.

Other rooms

Some en suite rooms, and some with lift access, but not many that are suitable for wheelchair users. Rooms can be adapted according to individual need.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

Live-in assistants a possibility. Assistants have been accommodated for conference guests. Live-in dogs are no problem.

Early induction and vacation stays

Early induction possible. Staying over vacation is no problem, at a charge.

Catering arrangements

Cafeteria serves three meals a day, as well as regular formal halls. Kitchen facilities depend on accommodation but are generally small. No adapted kitchen facilities currently.

Special diets

Special diets and allergies are generally no problem. Discuss your needs with the nurse at the start of term, or directly with catering manager. Cafeteria can give information on ingredients.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Level front and back entrances to College. Mostly smooth slabbed paving, level or sloping, and steps can be avoided. Some benches around site.

College buildings in general

Lifts in Gatehouse Court and in new auditorium. Several wheelchair lifts give access to various other buildings. Security system on some doors operated by proximity card.

Bar

Level access to upper level, with a few moveable chairs and tables on that level. Main bar down three steps, with no handrail. Disabled toilet nearby.

Cafeteria

Self-service cafeteria, with plenty of space. Next to hall. Epos card system for payment. Disabled toilet nearby.

Chapel

Flight of stairs up from main entrance, with two handrails. Chairlift access for wheelchairs to the back of the chapel, on prior arrangement. Smooth and spacious inside, with moveable chairs.

College offices

Some offices on ground floor. Tutorial office is upstairs, but staff can meet you elsewhere on arrangement.

Common rooms

JCR is near bar. Spacious and level, with disabled toilet nearby.

Computer facilities

Level access to computer room on H staircase. Moveable chairs.

Dining hall

Level access to hall, with moveable chairs and long benches. Smooth and spacious inside. Disabled toilet nearby.

Fellows' areas

Temporary metal ramp available for access to Fellows' areas in Grove. No disabled toilet.

Gardens

Gardens are within the College site. Steps can be avoided. Mostly slabbed paving, with a small amount of gravel. Some benches.

Laundry

Level access to laundry.

Library

Level access to Law library from corridor. Main library is above this, up stairs with no wheelchair access. New library due to be built in the next few years.

Porters' lodge and post room

Level access to Porters' Lodge from main entrance. Smooth and level.

Sport facilities

Gym in basement, down stairs. Sports fields on Oxford Road. Level access to pavilion itself, one step to changing areas, and no disabled toilet.

Toilets

Disabled toilets on all three floors of Gatehouse Court, in Wilson Court, in auditorium, near music rooms, near bar/hall and opposite chapel.

Other

• Auditorium, built 2004, has good access, including a lift and disabled toilet.
• Music rooms accessible, with toilet nearby.

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

Good directional signposting around College. Touch-readable map being investigated.

Other

• Excellent lighting in chapel and hall, and generally around College.
• Most steps and stairs have markings.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

Infra-red hearing enhancement system in auditorium, which operates with either headsets or individual loops. Induction loops hired in if needed.

Alarms

Two vibrating pillows and visual alarms in adapted rooms.

Other

• Generally quiet around College. Quiet revision room available during exam period.

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

New library due to be built in the next few years.