Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Wolfson College

Contact Details

Address

Barton Road,
Cambridge, CB3 9BB

Tel.

01223 335 900

Fax

01223 335 908

Email

registrar@wolfson.cam.ac.uk

Web

www.wolfson.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contact

Ms Fiona Duncan

Tel.

01223 333 826

Fax

01223 335 908

Email

fed12@cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

Barton Road, in Newnham, with rear entrance from Selwyn Gardens off Grange Road. A 10–15 minute walk to the city centre. 5–10 minutes to Sidgwick Site and University Library via Selwyn Gardens. 20 minutes to Downing Site and New Museums Site.

Traffic

Barton Road is becoming increasingly busy with traffic in both directions. Pavements and cycle paths are wide and smooth. Speed restrictions are in place along Grange Road.

Services and shops

Several small newsagents, pubs and restaurants on Newnham Corner, and a small co-op store at the end of Barton Road.

Parking

Car park on site. Disabled students and staff can obtain parking permits on medical grounds. Visitors please arrange with the porters before parking.

Other transport options

Uni 4 bus stop on Grange Road. The 175/177, 118/119 and 199 bus services also all stop on Barton Road.

General Information

90 mature undergraduates and 510 postgraduates. For men and women aged 21 and over. Modern, cosmopolitan graduate College, welcoming and supportive towards families and international students. Access around the College is generally very good, although the lack of signage may cause a problem for visitors and new students. Please ask if you need any help to familiarise yourself with the College.

Smoking

No smoking in any building, including private rooms.

Medical facilities

Currently recruiting a part-time nurse. Several first aiders, reached via the porters' lodge. Practising doctor amongst staff acts as medical adviser for the College. See also section on ‘Mental Health Issues’ regarding Peer Support system.

Emergency procedures

Advise porters' lodge if you will need help evacuating in an emergency. No evacuation chairs or other evacuation facilities currently.

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair-accessible rooms

Two specifically designed wheelchair-accessible rooms, one en suite and with an adjacent room for an assistant. Four other rooms near a disabled toilet can be converted if needed.

Other rooms

Most rooms are en suite, particularly in the newer blocks. Many are ground floor or accessible by lift.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

A live-in assistant would be possible in the disabled accommodation. Dogs could possibly be accommodated, but please discuss well in advance.

Early induction and vacation stays

Flexible accommodation, with annual or termly contracts. Early induction possible on arrangement.

Catering arrangements

Cafeteria serves three meals daily except dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Kitchens near all rooms. No catering charge. Self-catering is a possibility.

Special diets

Please speak to the catering manager regarding special diets. Information regarding nut allergies is available, and a board is being installed in the kitchen with photos of students with allergies.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Main entrance off Barton Road. Level back entrance off Selwyn Gardens and Grange Road. College grounds are all level and accessible, with no outside steps or stairs. Paving is level and fairly smooth. College buildings are spread around the site.

College buildings in general

All public areas are accessible by wheelchair users. Bredon House, the main building, is three small steps up or ramped via a side entrance to the bar. There are lifts in Bredon House, the library, and the new Chancellor centre.

Bar

Bredon House, ramped from side entrance. Spacious and smooth, with moveable chairs, stools and sofas, and low round tables. High bar counter.

Cafeteria

Servery next to hall on first floor of Bredon House, fairly small but all accessible. One way system and card payment.

Chapel

No chapel.

College offices

Most College offices are on the first floor of Bredon House, accessible by lift but through several awkward doors. Staff will meet elsewhere on arrangement.

Common rooms

Small club room near bar in Bredon House, all level and accessible, with moveable furniture.

Computer facilities

Ground floor of library building. Level, spacious and carpeted, with moveable chairs. Wireless internet in library, club room and seminar room. All individual rooms networked.

Dining hall

First floor of Bredon House. Access by lift, through two wide single doors. Spacious, with long benches and moveable chairs.

Fellows' areas

No separate Fellows' common room or high table.

Gardens

Gardens all within grounds, level paths and lawn, with several benches.

Laundry

Two steps to most laundry rooms, situated at the back of the site. Arrangements could be made if necessary.

Library

First floor of new building. Lift requires proximity card to operate. Level, spacious and carpeted, with plenty of workspace and space between shelves.

Porters' lodge and post room

Ground floor of Bredon House, up three steps at front entrance or via ramped side entrance to bar. No bell for assistance. Sleeping porter duty at night. Mail boxes nearby, all accessible.

Sport facilities

Small ground floor gym, level and accessible. No sports fields.

Toilets

Disabled toilets on first floor of Bredon House near hall, in library, in Lee Seng Tee hall, on every floor of the Chancellor centre and in accommodation blocks A, R, S and T.

Other

• Lee Seng Tee hall, used for exhibitions, large meetings, plays and concerts. Level access through side door. Smooth and spacious inside, with stackable chairs. Stage accessible on arrangement. Disabled toilet inside.
• Chancellor Centre, new accommodation/conference block for short term visitors. Carpeted and spacious, with a large lift to all floors, and disabled toilets on each level. Two large seminar/teaching rooms, all accessible.
• Seminar/exhibition room on ground floor of new library, carpeted and spacious, with proximity card entry.
• Seminar room with small bar in Old Library, level entrance through two double doors, smooth and spacious inside.

Visual Impairments

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs welcome.

Computer facilities

Special hardware or software for visually impaired users could be acquired if necessary, and has been in the past.

Large print, Braille and audio

Large print letters and information on request. Touch readable buttons in lifts, and audio information in the Chancellor Centre lift.

Library and magnification equipment

Good lighting, with extra lights on work desks and bright black-on-yellow signs. No special facilities for text enlargement. Photocopier in basement of library building, accessible by lift.

Signs and wayfinding

Poor signage. No sign to main entrance or reception, or any other main areas. Please ask for assistance to find your way.

Other

• External steps have no markings or handrails.
• Buildings are lit at night but paths are not.
• Large windows and good lighting in bar and library.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

Induction loops in Lee Seng Tee hall and dining hall.

Alarms

Visual or sensory alarms could be acquired if needed.

Other

• Some traffic noise from Barton Road at peak times, but generally the site is quiet and peaceful.
• Most public areas, including the library, are carpeted and softly furnished.
• Music is often played in the bar, but the club room nearby is always quieter.

Specific Learning Difficulties and Mental Health Issues

Arrangements regarding Specific Learning Difficulties are on an individual basis, in conjunction with the Disability Resource Centre. Peer Support system in operation, whereby trained student counsellors are available to discuss personal problems or issues of mental health.

Planned Access Improvements

Improvements to signage under consideration.