Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Queens' College

Contact Details

Address

Silver Street,
Cambridge, CB3 9ET

Tel.

01223 335 511

Fax

01223 335 577

Email

info@queens.cam.ac.uk

Web

www.queens.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contact

Junior Bursar

Tel.

01223 335 520

Fax

01223 335 577

Email

info@queens.cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

Just outside city centre, near the Backs. A five minute walk to the city centre and Sidgwick Site. Ten minutes to Downing Site and New Museums Site. A ten minute walk to the University Library.

Traffic

Traffic is restricted along Silver Street. Between 6–10am inbound traffic only is allowed, and between 4pm–midnight outbound traffic only is allowed. Otherwise the road is closed to most traffic. Service vehicles, taxis, buses and disabled drivers can obtain permits to lower the barriers — see section on Driving for more information.

Services and shops

City centre. There are various restaurants, snack bars and pubs, as well as the University Centre, in nearby Mill Lane.

Parking

Parking available on site and near accommodation. Disabled students can obtain a permit.

Other transport options

Uni 4 bus stop in Silver Street.

General Information

490 undergraduates and 270 postgraduates. For men and women. Queens' has a lot of listed buildings, which makes access improvements to the older areas difficult. There is ongoing building work and discussion about disabled access to the College. The College is very willing to help improve disabled access to all areas where possible, so please discuss your individual needs or suggestions in advance.

Smoking

Smoking policy under review.

Medical facilities

Nurse holds a weekday surgery during full term, 8.30am-11am and 3pm-4.30pm. Tel: 01223 335578.

Emergency procedures

Advise porters' lodge if you will need help evacuating in an emergency. No evacuation chairs, but individual evacuation plans can be drawn up if necessary.

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair-accessible rooms

Two sets (ie two-room suites) adapted for wheelchair users, both with en suite shower rooms. One set has an adapted kitchen, and the other has a kitchen that can be adapted according to need.

Other rooms

There are no ground floor rooms with level access. Lots of rooms have en suite shower rooms.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

Discuss in advance.

Early induction and vacation stays

Early induction possible, if arranged in advance. Staying over vacation is also possible, at usual room rates.

Catering arrangements

Cafeteria offers three meals daily, and there are four formal halls each week. There is a small coffee shop in the bar. Payment can be made by filling in chits at every meal.

Special diets

Most special diets, including kosher and halal, can be accommodated with a week's notice. Speak to the catering manager or chef.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Steps down to Lodge entrance, or level access through locked main gates with bell for assistance. Queen's Lane entrance has steps. Fairly uneven surfaces and paving in whole of College, but most areas can be accessed. The biggest obstacle is the Mathematical Bridge dividing the two parts of the College — this is very steep and narrow, and difficult for anyone with impaired mobility.

College buildings in general

Most buildings have steps, with rather awkward handrails. Key and swipecard security.

Bar

Level access to both entrances. Smooth and spacious inside, with mostly high tables and stools or low tables and sofas. Lowered bar counter. Level access to outside patio. Disabled toilet in nearby corridor.

Cafeteria

Serving area next to hall. Level access through push-button automatic doors. Level and spacious.

Chapel

Level access through double doors, usually one of them bolted from inside. Fixed pew seating, with some ground floor pews. Rather small, with some room for one wheelchair.

College offices

Most College offices are up stairs and through heavy doors. Staff will meet elsewhere if necessary.

Common rooms

JCR in bar, all accessible. MCR has three steps up and a key-locked door.

Computer facilities

One small step up through heavy door. All individual rooms networked.

Dining hall

Next to cafeteria. Level access through push-button automatic doors. Level and spacious inside, with moveable furniture.

Fellows' areas

SCR accessible using lift in Cripp's building. One Fellow's room has been adapted for wheelchair use.

Gardens

Gardens on site, in the older part of College. Mostly level and accessible, but surfaces are very uneven. Level gravel path along river.

Laundry

One ground floor laundry, large inside but with a rather narrow door.

Library

Level access to ground floor, with swipecard entry. Two upper floors accessed only by spiral staircase. Work space on ground floor, and staff will help during office hours.

Porters' lodge and post room

Near main entrance, rather small and cramped but accessible. Buzzer at main gate for assistance from porters.

Sport facilities

Gym on site, ground floor and accessible. Sports fields are shared with Robinson College.

Toilets

Two disabled toilets, one on each side of the river. One is near the bar/Fitzpatrick Hall, and the other near the library.

Other

• Fitzpatrick Hall, used as a theatre and for sport and social events. Level access to lower level through double doors. Tiered seating when seating is in place, but room for a wheelchair. Disabled toilet nearby.
• Old Hall and Munro room, both in older part of College and used as smaller dining halls. Level access, with moveable furniture.
• Nursery in Cripp's Court, fully accessible, with disabled toilet nearby.
• Music practice rooms are up stairs and through heavy doors.
• Armitage room, used for supervisions and meetings, on upper floor of Cripp's Court. Accessible by lift.

Visual Impairments

Assistance dogs

Please 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 letters and information on request.

Library and magnification equipment

No special facilities for text enlargement. Some could be acquired if necessary.

Signs and wayfinding

Good, clear, green and white signs all around College. Map available from porters. Can be quite confusing for first-time visitors.

Other

• Some areas of College are rather poorly lit, and have uneven and worn floors.
• Where there are handrails on stairs, these tend to be rather awkward and not continuous.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

No induction loops currently, but there are plans to acquire some soon.

Alarms

Visual or sensory alarms could be acquired if needed.

Other

• Some traffic noise from Silver Street.
• Bar is harshly furnished, and juke box and games machines can make it rather noisy.

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

Another floor is being added to the top of Cripp's Building, which will provide fully accessible supervision rooms and accommodation.

Other Useful Information

Please see www.queens.cam.ac.uk for further information on disabled access.