Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Murray Edwards College

(Founded as New Hall.)

Contact Details

Address

Huntingdon Road,
Cambridge, CB3 0DF

Tel.

01223 762 100

Fax

01223 763 110

Email

enquiries@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk

Web

www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contact

Dr Hilarie Bateman, Disability Liaison Officer

Tel.

01223 762 206

Fax

01223 763 110

Email

hb208@cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

Out of centre. It is a ten minute walk to the city centre down Castle Hill. 15 minutes to 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

Parking at front and back entrances. Designated disabled bay. Disabled students can obtain a permit.

Other transport options

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

General Information

360 undergraduates and around 90 postgraduates. Modern College, currently women only, but with a mixed fellowship. Conference trade.

Smoking

No smoking in College buildings.

Medical facilities

Nurse holds a daily surgery, 9am–12.30pm Mon, Tue, Thurs and Fri, 4pm–7.30pm Wednesday (tel. 01223 762 239).

Emergency procedures

Advise porters' lodge if you will need help evacuating in an emergency. Individual evacuation plans in place for students with disabilities.

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair-accessible rooms

Small number of adapted en suite rooms in each of the newer accommodation blocks, including the graduate building.

Other rooms

En suite and accessible accommodation available in Pearl House.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

Please contact the College to discuss live-in assistants well in advance. Assistance dogs shouldn't be a problem, but again discuss well in advance.

Early induction and vacation stays

Early induction possible. All students are entitled to stay until end of term. Staying over vacation possible if agreed with tutors in advance, and if accommodation is available.

Catering arrangements

Cafeteria is open for lunch, dinner and formal halls during term. Kitchen facilities depend on accommodation, but are generally large. No adapted kitchens. Self-catering is no problem.

Special diets

Most special diets and allergies catered for, if informed in advance.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Ramped front and back entrances. Main building is on three levels, with a lift between all floors except in Old Block. Most facilities are inside this building. Walkway to New Block accommodation, which has a lift to all floors.

College buildings in general

Smooth and level, with wide corridors. Heavy fire doors. Some doors have security card system, which may be difficult if you have limited dexterity.

Bar

On two floors. Outside lift between floors. Main bar is downstairs, through a heavy door. Rather small, but with moveable furniture. Disabled toilet nearby.

Cafeteria

New cafeteria, on first floor next to hall. Lift up to hall. Spacious and level, with helpful staff. Epos card payment. Disabled toilet downstairs near lift.

Chapel

No chapel.

College offices

Mostly ground floor offices.

Common rooms

JCR has level access from lift in Pearl House, and moveable furniture. MCR in graduate building (Canning and Eliza), fully accessible. Quiet room near library, level from corridor, with sofa.

Computer facilities

Computer room is next to library, downstairs via lift. Spacious, with moveable chairs. Security card scan to enter. All individual rooms networked.

Dining hall

Lift to dining hall, and automatic doors. Large, spacious, smooth inside, with moveable furniture. Disabled toilet downstairs, near lift.

Fellows' areas

SCR accessible. One step up to high table in dining hall.

Gardens

Gardens on College site. Mostly smooth slabbed paving.

Laundry

Basement, reasonably accessible via lift.

Library

Level access to downstairs area via lift. Spacious inside. Security swipecard entrance. Two more upper levels, up stairs with handrails. Staff will fetch books if required. Workspaces on downstairs level.

Porters' lodge and post room

Level access from front entrance, through wide manual doors. Post in front entrance.

Sport facilities

Gym has level access via lift. No sports fields. Two tennis courts on site.

Toilets

Disabled toilets downstairs and on ground level, near lift. Disabled toilet in Buckingham House.

Other

• Buckingham House, fairly new accommodation block and conference centre opposite main entrance, is fully accessible.
• Canning and Eliza Fok building, new accommodation block, is fully accessible.
• Vivien Stewart meeting room, in main building, has level access with moveable furniture.
• Art exhibition downstairs is accessible via lift.

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. Lift has audio information and touch-readable buttons.

Library and magnification equipment

No special facilities for text enlargement. Lighting in library is good.

Signs and wayfinding

Good directional signposting around College.

Other

• Dining hall is in upstairs dome, with large windows and excellent lighting.
• Lighting generally fine around College.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

Induction loop in Buckingham House lecture theatre and seminar room, Vivien Stewart meeting room and Long room.

Alarms

Visual or sensory alarms could be acquired if needed.

Other

• Generally very quiet around College, with little traffic noise.

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.
• One tutor does provide individual help with writing skills.