Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Magdalene College

Contact Details

Address

Magdalene Street,
Cambridge, CB3 0AG

Tel.

01223 332 100

Fax

01223 462 589

Web

www.magd.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contact

Assistant Bursar

Tel.

01223 332 167

Fax

01233 363 637

Email

assistant.bursar@magd.cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

Located on edge of city centre. A 10–15 minute walk to Downing Site, New Museums Site, Sidgwick Site and the University Library. Slightly further from Cripps Court, which is located a five minute walk away from the main College site on Chesterton Road.

Traffic

Traffic calming measures are in place outside the main entrance to the College, but it can be busy and pavements are narrow. The College has recently built a safe crossing point on Chesterton Road, between Cripps Court and the main College site.

Services and shops

City centre.

Parking

Underground car park near main College site, with automatic doors operated by security card. Parking available at Cripps Court with designated disabled bays. Disabled students could obtain a permit.

Other transport options

Several bus stops on nearby Bridge Street.

General Information

General

343 undergraduates and 190 postgraduates. For men and women. A traditional College, with many listed buildings which do present significant access problems. Cripps Court, a new building containing accommodation, an auditorium and meeting rooms, has good access. Plans are underway to improve disabled access to the older areas. A security card system is in place around much of the College, which might be inconvenient for anyone with limited dexterity or vision.

Smoking

There is no smoking in College buildings, including study bedrooms, or in First and Second Court.

Medical facilities

Nurse holds a weekday surgery during full term, 10am-12am.

Emergency procedures

There is an evacuation chair in Cripps Court, together with lists. (Cripps Court has two designated specially modified disabled rooms.)

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair-accessible rooms

Two specially designed and designated accessible rooms in Cripps Court. These are fully accessible by lift, and have adapted bathrooms and nearby kitchens.

Other rooms

Some en suite rooms, particularly in Cripps Court. Some rooms on main College site are at ground level, and can be adapted as necessary.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs a possibility, but due to pressure on accommodation please discuss well in advance.

Early induction and vacation stays

Early induction and staying over vacation both possible, if arranged in advance.

Catering arrangements

Cafeteria serves three meals daily in Ramsay hall, and there is also formal hall every night. Small kitchens on main site, with bigger and more fully equipped kitchens in Cripps Court.

Special diets

Most special diets can be accommodated. Speak to the Catering and Conference manager. Information regarding nut allergies is provided.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Three sites: one on either side of Magdalene Street, and Cripps Court on Chesterton Road. Cripps Court is new and fully accessible. The older sites have level entrance and there are ramps between courts, with fairly even paved surfaces.

College buildings in general

Most commonly used rooms and areas in the main College site are accessible, and there are plans to improve this further. Due to the age of the College, however, many less commonly used areas are accessed only by narrow, winding staircases.

Bar

Level entrance, through a single door. Level and fairly spacious inside, with moveable furniture. Accessible toilet just outside.

Cafeteria

Ramped entrance to fairly small servery. Three steps, or a ramp from the other side, down to eating area in Ramsay hall. Spacious, with long tables and moveable chairs.

Chapel

One large step to entrance, through heavy door. Temporary ramp available, but please arrange in advance. Fixed pews, with some room for a wheelchair.

College offices

Most College offices upstairs. Staff will meet elsewhere if necessary.

Common rooms

JCR and MCR both have several small steps.

Computer facilities

Several computer rooms. Cripps Court computer room is fully accessible, and there is a computer in the library.

Dining hall

Ramped entrance. Fairly small inside, with fixed tables and narrow bench seating. One step to high table.

Fellows' areas

SCR up narrow, winding stairs, with a small handrail.

Gardens

Fellows' garden level and accessible, with mostly gravel paths and lawn. There are benches. Work has been recently completed to improve paths and level the gradient of some areas, and also to install better lighting.

Laundry

Various laundries around College, most on ground floor. The Cripps Court laundry is fully accessible.

Library

Level access to ground floor, with security card entry. Upper floor up many stairs and rather cramped, but staff will fetch books in office hours. Plenty of workspace at ground level.

Porters' lodge and post room

Two large steps to Porters' Lodge, and rather small inside. No bell for assistance. Plans are being developed to improve access to the Lodge, and other areas in First Court, in the next few years.

Sport facilities

Small gym in basement, down stairs. Sports fields are shared with St John's College, off Queen's Road, and the pavilion is raised up several steps.

Toilets

Disabled toilet on main site near College bar. Disabled toilets on every floor of Cripps Court. There are also two wheelchair-accessible bedrooms with en suite adapted bathrooms.

Other

• Auditorium in Cripps Court has level access to both top and bottom of tiered seating area, with designated wheelchair bays at the top.
• Music rooms and meeting rooms in Cripps Court are all accessible by lift.
• Benson Hall and Buckingham Room, meeting rooms in the older part of College, both have level entrances and are spacious inside.
• Amphitheatre and garden in Cripps Court are all ramped and fully accessible.
• Pepys library, rarely used by students, is up a rather uneven wooden staircase with a handrail on the main site.

Visual Impairments

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs welcome. No other dogs allowed.

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. The lift in Cripps Court has both touch-readable and audio information.

Library and magnification equipment

‘Day’ light and magnifier available in library. Other text enlargement equipment can be acquired if necessary.

Signs and wayfinding

College and Cripps Court have good, clear signage.

Other

• Chapel and hall are very dimly lit. Staircases in the older site are generally also dark, and there are few markings. Handrails are not always continuous.
• Lighting along paths in Fellows' garden has been installed. In many areas there is no barrier between the path and the river.
• Cripps Court has large windows and excellent lighting throughout. Stairs there are marked and fitted with continuous handrails.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

Induction loops in Porters' Lodge, Library, Benson Hall, auditorium, and in all five meeting rooms in Cripps Court.

Alarms

Visual or sensory alarms could be acquired if needed.

Other

• There is some noise in College from traffic, and in summer the punts on the river can be distracting.
• Library is carpeted and quiet, and most rooms are small and softly furnished.
• Cripps Court is fairly open plan and echoey, with hard furnishings. However, the auditorium and all meeting rooms have good acoustics and are fitted with induction loops.

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

• Plans are being developed to improve access to the Porters Lodge

Other Useful Information

The College is happy to adapt and acquire facilities if necessary and possible. Please discuss your individual needs well in advance.