Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Wesley House

Contact Details

Address

Jesus Lane,
Cambridge, CB5 8BJ

Tel.

01223 741 033

Fax

01223 321 177

Web

www.wesley.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contact

Mrs Veronica Stewart, House Manager

Tel

01223 741 045

Fax

01223 321 177

Email

jbs29@cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

A five minute walk to the city centre. 15 minutes to Downing Site and New Museums Site. 20 minutes to Sidgwick Site and University Library. Close to Grafton Centre, Jesus Green and Midsummer Common.

Traffic

Jesus Lane has traffic in both directions, but is rarely very busy. Pavements are rather uneven, and there are few dropped kerbs.

Services and shops

City centre. Several cafes and small shops on nearby King Street.

Parking

Limited underground car parking for students. Small staff car park at rear, recently resurfaced, with one designated disabled bay. Disabled members could obtain a permit.

Other transport options

No bus stops on Jesus Lane. The central bus station is a five minute walk away.

General Information

Small Methodist College and key member of the Cambridge Theological Federation. Contains accommodation for around 55 students in family-friendly flats or rooms. Houses the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, the Centre for the Study of Jewish Christian Relations, and the Eastern Region Minstry Course as well as the central Federation offices.

Smoking

No smoking in public buildings or student rooms. Smoking allowed only in porters' lodge.

Medical facilities

First aiders on site. No nurse.

Emergency procedures

Advise if you will need help evacuating in an emergency. No evacuation chairs or other facilities — these are under consideration. Deputy fire officer housed on site.

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair-accessible rooms

One adapted flat, not entirely suitable for wheelchair users due to narrow doors.

Other rooms

All flats are en suite, and most rooms are near bathrooms and kitchens. Please ask in advance for any adaptations you might need.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

Live-in assistants would be possible in a flat, but these rooms are not suitable for wheelchair users. Live-in dogs could be accommodated.

Early induction and vacation stays

Flexible accommodation arrangements. Early induction and staying over vacation are not a problem, on prior arrangement.

Catering arrangements

Self-catering. Small kitchens on every level and in flats. Larger kitchen near hall for communal cooking and dining and for special occasions.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Level access to main entrance through heavy iron gate. Padlocked at 10pm. Out-of-hours access via key-locked side gate, down a small step. Lodge manned 10am–6.30pm. Bursar usually available to help 7–10am. Fairly even slabbed paved surfaces. Small site.

College buildings in general

Most ground floor rooms are accessible, or could be ramped with notice. Some upper floors are accessible by lift. Doors around College are locked by a variety of keys, most at a high level.

Bar

No bar.

Cafeteria

No cafeteria. An outside caterer occasionally serves meals in hall.

Chapel

Ramped, through two sets of narrow keylocked double doors. Fixed pews, with room for a wheelchair. Two steps to altar, but most preaching is at ground level.

College offices

Two steps to College offices. Staff will meet elsewhere on arrangement.

Common rooms

Large student/family common room, with piano, pool and table tennis tables. Ground level, large and spacious, with moveable low sofas and armchairs. Talks are sometimes held here.

Computer facilities

No central computer room. All student rooms are networked.

Dining hall

Small dining hall, accessible by lift. Spacious, with moveable furniture, and communal kitchen next door.

Fellows' areas

Principal's lodge at ground level. Director of Studies' lodge is one step up, but level access can be arranged from the street.

Gardens

Small quad in centre of College, with slabbed paved paths and lawn. Two benches.

Laundry

Central laundry at ground level and accessible.

Library

Main library on first floor, with only stair access. Corner library at ground level through key-locked door, with plenty of workspace. Books can be transferred on request.

Porters' lodge and post room

One step up through manual door to porters' lodge. No bell for assistance. Lodge manned 10am–6.30pm. Bursar usually available to help 7–10am. Two steps to pigeonholes, near College offices.

Sport facilities

No gym or sports fields. Midsummer Common and Jesus Green are nearby.

Toilets

One cubicle on first floor fitted with grab rail, but with a narrow door not suitable for wheelchairs.

Other

• Centre for Jewish Christian Relations ramped, with sufficient level for a wheelchair user.
• Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies up one step from ground level.
• Eastern Region Minstry Course offices upstairs. The Old Common room at ground level can be used for IOCS and ERMC meetings if necessary.
• Old Common room, used as lecture room, ground level and spacious, with moveable furniture.

Visual Impairments

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs welcome.

Computer facilities

Hardware and software can be acquired if needed — speak to the Federation computer officer (based on site) for advice.

Large print, Braille and audio

Large print letters and information on request.

Library and magnification equipment

No special facilities. Photocopier available in College offices, up two steps.

Signs and wayfinding

Little external or directional signage. Plans are underway to improve signage to and around the College. Small site, so wayfinding is not difficult.

Other

• Partial lighting around site at night.
• Most staircases are not marked and do not have continuous handrails.
• Step markings due to be improved soon.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

Portable induction loop available, kept by Federation officer and shared with other members of the Federation.

Alarms

Visual and sensory fire alarms are under consideration.

Other

• Chapel is small and quiet, with carpeted floor.
• Some traffic noise, especially at night due to deliveries.

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 and Anglia Ruskin University. Discuss your needs with the Disability Liaison Officer.

Planned Access Improvements

• Signage and step markings due to be improved soon.
• Evacuation facilities and pager fire alarms are being looked into.