Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Girton College — Wolfson Court

Contact Details

Address

Clarkson Road, Cambridge, CB3 0EH

Tel.

01223 338 892

Fax

01223 311 566

Email

warden@girton.cam.ac.uk

Web

www.girton.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contact

Ms Maureen Hackett, Warden

Tel.

01223 338 891

Fax

01223 311 566

Email

mh208@cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

A ten minute walk to the city centre. Ten minutes to the Sidgwick Site and University Library along Grange Road. 20 minutes to Downing Site and New Museums Site. Very close to the Centre for Mathematical Sciences and Isaac Newton Institute.

Traffic

Clarkson Road is a fairly quiet residential street. Speed restrictions are in place along Grange Road. Pavements outside are rather uneven, with few dropped kerbs.

Services and shops

City centre. The cafeteria in the Centre for Mathematical Sciences is open during the day.

Parking

Car park on site, with clearly marked disabled bay next to the ramped entrance. Swipe card at barrier, but an intercom could be installed if needed. Disabled students can obtain a permit.

Other transport options

Uni 4 bus stops on Grange road. Other bus stops on Madingley Road.

General Information

Accommodates mostly second year undergraduates and postgraduates from Girton College. Five Fellows are resident. See also main entry for Girton College. Access is generally very good as main areas are all at ground level. Proximity card security system in some areas.

Smoking

No smoking in public areas.

Medical facilities

Two College nurses based in main Girton site, called if necessary via porters' lodge.

Emergency procedures

Advise porters' lodge if you will need help evacuating in an emergency. No evacuation chairs needed as there are no lifts. Fire exits all level.

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair-accessible rooms

One newly built flat specifically designed for wheelchair users, with adapted bathroom and kitchen. Ground floor, near graduate accommodation.

Other rooms

Six en suite rooms, two of which are at ground level. Access to most ground floor rooms difficult due to narrow corridors.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

Live-in assistant possible in accessible flat or adjacent room. Live-in assistance dogs are no problem, but no other pets are allowed.

Early induction and vacation stays

Early induction encouraged. Staying over vacations is also possible.

Catering arrangements

Cafeteria offers three meals daily on weekdays during term, plus lunch on Saturday and lunch and dinner on Sunday. Catering provision out of term varies. Self-catering would be possible.

Special diets

Most special diets can be catered for, including kosher with advance notice. Products containing nuts are marked. Speak to the catering manager/head chef about your needs.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Side entrance to foyer ramped, with handrail, through wide manual door. Intercom for assistance, and Porters on duty 24 hours. Most areas accessible and under cover.

College buildings in general

Most public areas are on ground floor of main building and accessible. Library separate, but can be reached under cover. There are several heavy fire doors, and some corridors are narrow. All stairs have continuous handrails.

Bar

Level access through wide door. Moveable round tables and chairs. High bar counter. Large disabled toilet adjacent.

Cafeteria

Level, very spacious and all accessible, with fairly low tray rails. Staff will help as necessary. University card payment.

Chapel

No chapel.

College offices

All offices, including tutorial office, warden, and disability liaison officer, are on ground floor and accessible.

Common rooms

MCR at ground level, spacious, and moveable chairs with armrests. 'Airport Lounge' seating area at ground level and open plan, with sofas and low tables.

Computer facilities

Several PCs, one Mac, and power points for laptops above library, accessible only by stairs with handrail. All rooms are networked, and help can be given towards buying a computer if necessary.

Dining hall

Next to cafeteria servery. Divided into two sections. One section has fixed American-diner style tables and seating, with moveable chairs at one end. Other section is more spacious, with standard moveable chairs and tables.

Fellows' areas

No designated common areas for Fellows and no high table.

Gardens

All areas accessible via ramps, and paving is fairly smooth and level. One area due to be relandscaped and raised to improve access.

Laundry

Ground level and accessible. Token operated. Bedders can help if necessary, and a washing machine could possibly be installed in the accessible flat.

Library

Main library on main Girton site. Arrangements can be made for transfer of books if necessary. Wolfson Court houses the Law library and a reading room of reference-only books. Proximity card access through level doors, with plenty of workspace and most shelves accessible round edge of room. Chairs have armrests.

Porters' lodge and post room

Level access from main College, or ramped from outside with intercom for assistance. Pigeonholes at ground level nearby, and an appropriate pigeonhole can be reserved if necessary.

Sport facilities

No gym or sports fields on site — see main entry for Girton College.

Toilets

Large disabled toilet, with baby change, near bar.

Other

• Sheila Gillies meeting room, seminar room and music room all at ground level and accessible, with moveable furniture.
• Privately run nursery on site, with priority places for members of Girton.

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, and on coloured paper, on request.

Library and magnification equipment

Magnification equipment such as magnifying glasses could be acquired if necessary. Extra lights can be provided. Photocopier available for text enlargement.

Signs and wayfinding

Little directional signposting around the site, but most main rooms have clear white-on-black signs in place. Sign outside main entrance tends to be obscured by foliage in summer months.

Other

• Little overhead lighting in rooms. Lighting is being gradually upgraded, and extra lights can be provided if necessary.
• Lighting around site at night fairly dim.
• Stairs are all marked, and have continuous handrails.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

Induction loops in Sheila Gillies Room, seminar room and reading room. Portable loop available from porters' lodge.

Alarms

Several rooms have been adapted for hearing impaired students with visual and sensory alarms. More can be adapted if needed.

Other

• The site is set back from the main Madingley Road and is generally quiet.
• Cafeteria is harshly furnished and can be noisy at busy times.
• Many areas carpeted and quiet, especially library.

Specific Learning Difficulties and Mental Health Issues

• Extra tuition can be arranged for students with Specific Learning Difficulties, and financial support can be given for assessments and equipment.
• All arrangements are on an individual basis, in conjunction with the Disability Resource Centre. Discuss your needs with your tutor.

Planned Access Improvements

• Automatic door openers and intercoms can be installed if needed.
• A flat in the main building could also be converted into a wheelchair-accessible room if needed.