Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

St John's College

Contact Details

Address

St John's Street,
Cambridge, CB2 1TP

Tel.

01223 338 600

Fax

01223 766 419

Web

www.joh.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contact

Mrs Maggie Hartley, College Nurse

Tel.

01223 338 664

Fax

01223 766 419

Email

m.a.hartley@joh.cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

City centre. A 15 minute walk to Downing Site and New Museums Site from front entrance. 15 minutes to Sidgwick Site and ten minutes to University Library from back gate.

Traffic

St John's Street is part-pedestrianised, but always busy with service vehicles, buses, and bicycles. Pavements are narrow and full of shoppers. Queen's Road, at the back gate, is also busy and rather dangerous to cross, particularly during rush hour.

Services and shops

City centre.

Parking

Parking on site in Cripps car park. Disabled students can obtain a permit, and if needed have a parking space reserved.

Other transport options

Frequent buses from city centre. Uni 4 bus stop on West Road.

General Information

550 undergraduates and 330 postgraduates. For men and women. Large, old College in the centre of Cambridge. An access audit has been conducted, and the College is working through the recommendations. St John's welcomes enquiries from those with disabilities.

Smoking

No smoking inside buildings except in student bedrooms.

Medical facilities

The College nurse, Maggie Hartley, also Disability Liaison Officer, holds a weekday surgery during full term. Contact details as above. Students register with local GPs and the College nurse is able to help students to do this.

Emergency procedures

Advise porters' lodge if you will need help evacuating in an emergency. There are no evacuation chairs. Specific plans have been drawn up for individuals with disabilities, and fire wardens are all aware.

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair-accessible rooms

Two adapted suites, with automatic doors, adapted kitchen and bathroom, and room for an assistant. One room in a hostel adapted for wheelchair access.

Other rooms

Quite a few ground floor rooms. Most rooms are en suite. Some accommodation on site is currently being refurbished, and will be made more accessible. Further adaptations can be made as necessary.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

One student currently has an assistant. Live-in assistance dogs also possible, but please discuss this possibility well in advance.

Early induction and vacation stays

Early induction is no problem, by prior arrangement. All student rooms are available throughout the academic year.

Catering arrangements

Cafeteria serves three meals daily, and there is the option of eating in hall every night. Most kitchens are small, and not suitable for full self-catering.

Special diets

Most special diets can be accommodated without difficulty. Speak directly to catering staff. Information available regarding ingredients, particularly nut allergies.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Level entrance through main and back gates. Surfaces are mainly slabbed paving, with some cobbles that can not be avoided. Most areas accessible. The site is huge, however, and may present difficulties to someone with restricted mobility.

College buildings in general

Steps between courts are ramped. Buildings are often up one or two steps, but ramps are in place where needed. Most buildings in frequent use are accessible.

Bar

Ramped access from cafeteria side. Level inside. Fixed booths, but room for a wheelchair.

Cafeteria

Located in Second Court. Ramped and fully accessible. Staff will help carry trays.

Chapel

Three steps to main entrance, through a heavy door. Ramped access from back entrance, through heavy doors. Large and spacious inside. Fixed pews but some on ground floor, and room for a wheelchair.

College offices

Most offices near library, accessed via narrow, cobbled and ramped path to one side. Staff will meet elsewhere on arrangement.

Common rooms

Fully accessible. Spacious inside, with sofas.

Computer facilities

Computer room on second floor of Fisher building, accessed by large lift. Spacious inside. All rooms networked.

Dining hall

Ramped access. Level and spacious inside. Long, narrow, bench seating. Space for wheelchairs.

Fellows' areas

SCR upstairs, with passenger lift.

Gardens

Gardens all level and accessible. Mostly gravel paths and lawn.

Laundry

Student laundry down several steps. Alternative arrangements are made if necessary.

Library

New, modern library, fully accessible by key-operated lift. Swipe card security at main door. Spacious inside, with plenty of workspace.

Porters' lodge and post room

Ramped access from main entrance. Post room accessible through porters' lodge.

Sport facilities

Gym has level access and swipecard entry. Sports fields on Queen's Road. Pavilion up steps, but fields are not too far from main College site.

Toilets

Disabled toilets in library, Fisher building and Second Court.

Other

• Bridge of Sighs, which joins two sections of College together, is very steep, with uneven slabbed paving. A wheelchair user would probably need assistance to get over bridge.
• Fisher building, with music practice rooms and meeting rooms, all accessible, with large lift to all floors and a disabled toilet.
• Music practice rooms in First Court are ramped, and those in Fisher building are accessible by lift.

Visual Impairments

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs welcome, but discuss live-in dogs well 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. Lift in Fisher building has audio information and touch-readable buttons.

Library and magnification equipment

Magnifying glasses available. Photocopier available for text enlargement.

Signs and wayfinding

Good signposting around College, especially in areas visited by tourists. The College site is very large, so wayfinding could be problematic if you are not familiar with it.

Other

• A special benefaction exists to help visually impaired students. Speak to the tutorial office.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

Induction loop in library and Palmerston Room.

Alarms

Visual and sensory fire alarms available.

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

• Refurbishments underway, following advice from access audit.