Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

St Catharine's College

Contact Details

Address

Trumpington Street,
Cambridge, CB2 1RL

Tel.

01223 338 300

Fax

01223 338 340

Email

caths@cam.ac.uk

Web

www.caths.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contact

Dr Philip Oliver, Admissions Tutor

Tel.

01223 338 363

Fax

01223 338 340

Email

p.oliver@gen.cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

City centre. A five minute walk to Downing Site and New Museums Site. 10-15 minutes to Sidgwick Site and the University Library.

Traffic

King's Parade, although traffic is restricted, can be busy with cars and bicycles. Difficult junction with Silver Street. Pavements are uneven and rather crowded with people and bicycles.

Services and shops

City centre.

Parking

Fellows' car park on site, off Queen's Lane, with level access to College. Permits for disabled students may be possible in exceptional circumstances. Some disabled bays on King's Parade and in Lion Yard for short-stay parking.

Other transport options

Uni 4 bus stop in Trumpington Street.

General Information

435 undergraduates and 189 postgraduates. For men and women. St Catharine's is an old College, with some listed buildings. It collaborates closely with Pembroke College on disability issues, and the Colleges shares an access officer. Internal access audits have taken place. 1st and 3rd year students have accommodation inside College itself. 2nd year students generally live in St Chad's accommodation block, on Grange Road.

Smoking

No smoking in public buildings.

Medical facilities

Nurse holds a weekday surgery during full term (tel. 01223 338 327).

Emergency procedures

Advise porters' lodge if you will need help evacuating in an emergency. Individual plans drawn up for disabled students. No special evacuation facilities.

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair accessible rooms

No fully adapted disabled suites, but several en suite accessible rooms which can be adapted according to need.

Other rooms

Some ground floor accommodation, with en suite or nearby bathrooms.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

Live-in assistants a possibility, as some rooms are connected. Assistance dogs are no problem.

Early induction and vacation stays

Early induction is no problem. Staying over vacation is also possible, at a charge.

Catering arrangements

Cafeteria offers three meals daily. Some fairly small kitchens. Self-catering is an option.

Special diets

Special diets and allergies, including kosher and halal, are no problem for formal halls and special occasions. Inform catering staff a week in advance.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Level access through main gate in King's Parade, from Queen's Lane via car park, and through locked side door opposite King's College. Mostly level, with smooth slabbed paving and some benches. Cobbles can be avoided.

College buildings in general

Most entrances off Front Court have several steps. Wheelchair access to these areas can be possible on prior arrangement.

Bar

Level access to bar, through heavy door. Smooth and spacious inside, with moveable furniture. Disabled toilet inside ladies' toilet.

Cafeteria

Five steps up from Front Court, with no handrail. Ramped access via back of chapel, on arrangement. Narrow wooden ramp down to level of cafeteria once inside building.

Chapel

Four steps up from Front Court, with no handrail. Two more steps inside. Wheelchair access possible via fire exit, on prior arrangement. Fixed pews, but room for a wheelchair inside.

College offices

Offices are on ground floor near library, up concrete ramp.

Common rooms

JCR near bar. Level access, smooth and spacious, with moveable furniture. Disabled toilet in ladies' toilet.

Computer facilities

Computer room is in basement, down stairs. Computers for email available in library. All individual rooms networked.

Dining hall

As per cafeteria. Smooth and spacious inside, with moveable furniture.

Fellows' areas

Armitage room. Difficult access for wheelchair users.

Gardens

No gardens, but grounds are fully accessible. Some accessible gardens in St Chad's, on Grange road.

Laundry

Laundry is in basement, down stairs. Other arrangements can be made if needed.

Library

Level access to ground floor via concrete ramp. Key-locked entrance. No access to upper floors, including Modern Languages and English, but staff will fetch books if needed. Spacious ground floor, with moveable chairs and tables for working and reading.

Porters' lodge and post room

Level access to porters' lodge from main entrance, through two sets of manual double doors.

Sport facilities

Gym is in basement, down stairs. Sports fields in Newnham, next to those of Pembroke, with level and ramped access to pavilion.

Toilets

Disabled toilet inside ladies' toilet in bar/JCR area. No others currently.

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.

Library and magnification equipment

No special facilities for text enlargement.

Signs and wayfinding

Very little signposting generally, but the College is not large and wayfinding is simple. Signposts are in place at start of term and for conferences.

Other

• Most areas are well lit.
• Steps are generally unmarked, and few outdoor steps have handrails.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

Induction loops due to be fitted in lecture and seminar rooms.

Alarms

Sensory and visual alarms available.

Other

• Generally quiet around College. Quiet period over exam time.

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

• Some induction loops due to be fitted.
• An up-to-date access audit is due to be commissioned soon.
• Other access improvements will be made as and when needed.