Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Trinity College

Contact Details

Address

Trinity Street,
Cambridge, CB2 1TQ

Tel.

01223 338 400

Fax

01223 338 584

Web

www.trin.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contact

Admissions Office

Tel.

01223 338 422

Fax

01223 338 584

Email

admissions@trin.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

Trinity Street is partly 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, particularly during rush hour.

Services and shops

City centre.

Parking

Parking on site in New Court, entered from Queen's Road. Disabled students can obtain a permit, and adapted accommodation is in New Court. Level access from car park to the rest of the College.

Other transport options

Frequent buses to and from city centre. Uni 4 bus stop in West Road.

General Information

663 undergraduates and 430 postgraduates. For men and women. Large, old College in the centre of Cambridge, with many listed buildings. Good access generally.

Smoking

No smoking in public areas within the College site (indoors and outdoors), except for designated outdoor smoking areas. Some smoke-free student accommodation, but smoking still permitted in individuals' private rooms.

Medical facilities

Nurse holds a weekday surgery 8.30–11am and noon–2pm in Full Term (tel. 01223 338 471).

Emergency procedures

Advise porters' lodge if you will need help evacuating in an emergency (tel. 01223 338 400). No evacuation chairs.

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair-accessible rooms

One room in New Court has been adapted for wheelchair access, including automatic doors and adapted bathroom. One room has also been adapted for a student with limited mobility, but not in a wheelchair.

Other rooms

One room in Bishop's hostel suitable for a hearing impaired student. Some ground floor rooms in New Court, which could be adapted according to individual need. These are listed buildings, however, so please discuss your needs well in advance. Few easily accessible en suite rooms.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

A live-in assistant has been accommodated in the past. Assistance dogs could also be accommodated, but discuss both of these options well in advance.

Early induction and vacation stays

Early induction and staying over vacation are no problem, on prior arrangement.

Catering arrangements

Cafeteria serves three meals daily in dining hall. No adapted kitchens. Most kitchens are small, and not suitable for full self-catering.

Special diets

Most special diets can be accommodated. Speak directly to catering staff. Information on ingredients, particularly regarding nut allergies, available on request.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Level access to main entrance, and a ramp down into Great Court. Level access to back gate from Queen's Road. Large site, but most areas are accessible. Slabbed paving and cobbles (which can be avoided) in Great Court. New Court has a gravel surface.

College buildings in general

Many buildings have several steps to entrance but are listed. Listed building consent for fitting permanent ramps is difficult. Some steep temporary ramps are in place where needed.

Bar

Ground floor, with ramped access. Spacious, with moveable furniture. Disabled toilet inside.

Cafeteria

Cafeteria inside dining hall. See separate entry for dining hall.

Chapel

Steep temporary ramp over four steps to entrance. Large and spacious inside, with smooth slippery floors. Plenty of room for a wheelchair.

College offices

Tutorial office and most other College offices upstairs on first floor. Staff will meet you elsewhere on arrangement.

Common rooms

JCR on first floor and up stairs, but the College have been refused permission to install a lift. Burrell's Field common room has level access and a disabled toilet inside.

Computer facilities

Computer room on ground floor and accessible. Swipe-card entry. All student rooms networked.

Dining hall

Steps to main entrance, with handrails either side. Access via ramp and lift in Neville's Court, or by stairclimber. Disabled toilet in Old Kitchen near the hall entrance.

Fellows' areas

Fellows' parlour accessible, with disabled toilet inside.

Gardens

Gardens all accessible, with level paths (mostly bitumen surfaces) and lawn. York stone in Burrell's Field.

Laundry

Most laundry facilities are in basement. Alternative arrangements could be made if needed.

Library

One step down to ground floor. Temporary ramp available. Carpeted and smooth, but with narrow aisles. Upper library is up a flight of stairs with handrails. The library is always staffed when open, and staff will fetch books if needed.

Porters' lodge and post room

Short ramp down to porters' lodge through double doors. Mail all accessible.

Sport facilities

Gym on two floors, with one step to ground floor and flight of stairs to upper floor. Sports grounds near Burrell's field. Pavilion is up steps, but the Burrell's field disabled toilet could be used for changing.

Toilets

Disabled toilets in bar, dining hall, senior parlour, Burrell's Field common room, Winstanley lecture theatre and Wolfson building.

Other

• Wolfson building is a new building for conferences and meetings, with full access via lift and a disabled toilet.
• Winstanley lecture theatre accessible via lift. Tiered, with space for wheelchairs and a disabled toilet.
• Wren library up a large flight of slippery stairs, with handrail. No lift can be installed. Spacious and smooth inside.

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.

Library and magnification equipment

Magnifying glass available. Library guides and notices are large, and printed on cream paper. No extra lighting on desks. Speak to sub-librarian if you need help.

Signs and wayfinding

Signs around College fairly clear. The site is large, however, so make sure you know where you are going.

Other

• Steps and staircases on main site are mostly unmarked, with few handrails.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

Induction loops installed in chapel, hall, Winstanley lecture theatre and in two seminar rooms in the Wolfson building.

Alarms

One room has been adapted for a hearing impaired student, with visual doorbell and vibrating pillow alarm. Other rooms could be adapted for hearing impaired students.

Specific Learning Difficulties and Mental Health Issues

• Counsellor available 1.30–5.30pm Mon–Wed in full term.
• 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

• An accessible guest room is planned as part of the overall refurbishment of New Court.
• Ongoing programme of re-laying surfaces in main Courts (some very old) to reduce hazards of tripping and slipping.
• Discussions taking place with English Heritage over Listed Building Consent for permanent ramps in several locations.

Other Useful Information

The College is very sympathetic towards students with disabilities of any sort, and will help arrange and adapt where possible. Discuss your individual needs well in advance.