Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Newnham College

Contact Details

Address

Sidgwick Avenue,
Cambridge, CB3 9DF

Tel.

01223 335 700

Fax

01223 335 800

Email

porter1@newn.cam.ac.uk

Web

www.newn.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contact

Dr Terri Apter, Senior Tutor

Tel.

01223 335 700

Fax

01223 335 800

Email

tea20@cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

Location

Newnham College is located on Sidgwick Avenue, opposite the Sidgwick Site. Half a mile from the city centre, via a busy road. Quarter mile to Downing Site and New Museums Site. Quarter mile to University Library, walking through the Sidgwick Site.

Traffic

Sidgwick Avenue can get very busy with cars and bicycles, there are usually lots of parked cars. The pavements are narrow and uneven, with few dropped kerbs and few safe crossing places. Newnham Walk and Grange Road are quieter.

Services and shops

There is a small convenience store on Newnham Road, or it is half a mile into the city centre.

Parking

Four car parks, all with level entrances to College. Parking permits for disabled students can be arranged. Visitors advised to park in Fawcett car park near main entrance. Disabled visitors should contact the head porter to reserve a space in advance.

General Information

Around 400 undergraduates and 150 postgraduates. For women only. Most of Newnham College is at ground level, and the majority of the rooms are accessed via a long corridor. This corridor is mainly all on one level but has ramps where needed. Two manual wheelchairs are available to borrow. The College has experience of working with people with different abilities and disabilities, and will ensure that all routes and facilities are clearly explained and that assistance is available throughout the visit when requested in advance.

Smoking

The College has a smoke free policy. A copy of this policy is available on the College website

Medical facilities

Nurse holds a weekday surgery during full term, 8.30–10am and also 4–5pm Mon, Tue, Fri and 5–6pm Wed and Thurs (tel. 01223 335 705).

Emergency procedures

Emergency instructions displayed throughout. Emergency telephones connect directly to porters' lodge, manned 24 hours. All students, staff and senior members have evacuation training, and specific plans are drawn up for individuals when required.

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair-accessible rooms

One adapted flat in new graduate accommodation block, with accessible bathroom, kitchen, bedroom and lounge.

Other rooms

Lots of ground floor rooms with nearby accessible bathrooms.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

One live-in assistant at a time could be accommodated, in the adapted flat. Assistance dogs could possibly be accommodated, but would need to be discussed well in advance.

Early induction and vacation stays

Staying over the vacation periods can be arranged with tutorial permission, although students may be asked to change rooms.

Catering arrangements

The buttery serves three meals a day, and there are one or two formal halls a week during term. The student kitchens are generally large and suitable for self-catering, but not currently adapted except in flat.

Special diets

Special diets, including gluten, nut and dairy free are usually no problem. Discuss in advance with catering staff. The staff keep photos of all students with allergies and can provide information on ingredients used in dishes.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Level access to all entrances, apart from two stone steps to main entrance into the porters' lodge. Wheelchair users are advised to enter via Fawcett car park entrance. The grounds and gardens are generally level, and most areas are accessible.

College buildings in general

Most public areas are at ground level. Long, wide corridor, with frequent heavy fire doors. The new buttery (cafeteria) has automatic doors at either end of the corridor to allow easy access.

Bar

Steps down to bar, accessible with new wheelchair lift. Spacious inside, mostly stools and round tables. There is a disabled toilet next to the bar.

Buttery (cafeteria)

The new buttery and servery opened in May 2007 with fully accessible automatic doors and a disabled toilet.

Chapel

No chapel.

College offices

Ground floor, with wide doors.

Common rooms

Fawcett JCR has level access, spacious and carpeted inside. Disabled toilet outside. MCR has level access, but no toilet.

Computer facilities

Wolfson room, off library. Fully accessible. Swipecard access after hours. All rooms networked.

Dining hall

Formal dining takes place in College hall in Clough building, which is accessible and has a disabled toilet next door.

Fellows' areas

SCR next to College Hall, level access.

Gardens

Mostly gravel paths, with some cobbles and large lawns. These are accessible from various points. There are lots of benches and tables spread around the gardens during the warmer months and students are allowed on the grass.

Laundry

There are several small laundries around the College, with many on the ground floor but often with heavy narrow doors. A new central laundry (which would be fully accessible) is currently being discussed.

Library

Recently refurbished. Level access through two double doors, with swipecard security. Lift to upper level. Spacious, with wide aisles. Large workspaces with moveable chairs. Walkway gives access to Old Library. Disabled toilet next door.

Porters' lodge and post room

Ground floor, but up two steps from main entrance. Level access via Fawcett car park entrance. The post/pigeon holes are kept in main foyer on ground floor.

Sport facilities

Newnham has a small gym with level access, induction required. There is a sports field and four tennis courts on site. There is no pavilion as College facilities can be used.

Toilets

There are disabled toilets near the bar, Sidgwick dining hall, outside the library, next to College Hall and the new buttery, and on the first floor next to the Lucia Windsor room.

Other

• The Old Labs performance space, often used for musical events, has level access. It also has a music practice room with level access.

Visual Impairments

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs could probably be accommodated, 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 information and letters on request.

Library and magnification equipment

No special facilities currently. Staff are willing to enlarge text on PC or photocopier. There is good lighting.

Signs and wayfinding

There are good black and white signs along corridors with clear directions. There are maps displayed at regular intervals along corridor.

Other

• Low level lighting in garden at night has recently been improved.
• Most staircases have marked stairs and handrails.
• Good lighting generally, and large windows.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

No induction loops currently.

Alarms

Vibrating pillow alarms are available.

Other

• There is a designated quiet room whilst the building work takes place during the exam term.
• Regulations are in place to minimise noise disturbance in evenings and to limit the times musical instruments can be played.
• The bar is softly furnished and generally quiet, with occasional live music.
• Most corridors and staircases carpeted and softly furnished.

Specific Learning Difficulties and Mental Health Issues

Arrangements made on an individual basis.