Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Faculty of Education

Contact Details

Address

184 Hills Road,
Cambridge CB2 8PQ

Tel.

01223 767 600

Fax

01223 767 602

Web

www.educ.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contact

Mrs Anita Chapman

Tel.

01223 767 727

Fax

01223 767 602

Email

ac207@cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

Hills Road, a couple of miles out of the city centre. The Faculty of Education and Homerton College are next door to one another. Fairly close to Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Traffic

Hills Road can be very busy during rush hour. Pavements and cycle paths are wide.

Services and shops

Some small convenience stores in the vicinity. New entertainment park, including fully accessible cinema, bowling alley, nightclub and several restaurants, on the corner of Hills Road and Cherry Hinton Road.

Parking

Car park on site, with six designated disabled bays. Disabled bays also outside Trumpington House and the Mary Allan building. Disabled students can obtain a permit.

Other transport options

Uni 4 bus stop outside. Bus stops also for C1, C7, 13 and 13a. Babraham Park and Ride is fairly nearby.

General Information

Faculty is spread over the New Faculty building, the Mary Allan building and Trumpington House. The New Faculty building, opened 2005, and the Mary Allan building, around 10 years old, are fully accessible. The newly refurbished Science Education Centre (to open academic year 2007/08) has accessible teaching rooms and a lecture theatre. Trumpington House is rather old and difficult for access, but does not need to be used if there is a problem. The site is fairly large, but paths between buildings are good.

Smoking

No smoking anywhere in the building.

Medical facilities

Three first aiders in the New Faculty building, and several others around the site.

Emergency procedures

Evacuation chairs fitted, with designated and trained fire wardens. Refuge points on all stairwells.

Physical Access

Entrances

Level access to New Faculty building, through automatic doors. Push-button automatic exit. Low counter at reception. Level access to Mary Allan building, through manual doors. Trumpington House is up steps.

Number of floors

Four floors in the New Faculty building, including ground floor. Three floors in Mary Allan building. Two floors in Trumpington House.

Lifts and stairs

Modern lift to all floors in both the New Faculty and the Mary Allan buildings. Stairs all have continuous handrails.

Lecture theatres

Lecture theatre in Mary Allan building, level and accessible, with moveable furniture and plenty of space for wheelchairs. Tiered lecture theatre in new Science Education centre has level access to the lower tier.

Seminar/teaching rooms

14 teaching/meeting rooms in New Faculty building, all with level access from lift. Spacious, with moveable furniture. Three teaching rooms in Science Education cnetre, all with level access. Level access to Arts Studio.

Library

Level access through wide door. Low counter at reception. Staffed when open. Spacious and carpeted, with wide shelving. Ramps to all areas. Computers and laptop points. Two disabled toilets.

Computer facilities

Two IT rooms in New Faculty building, available for use when there is no class taking place. Many computers in library, and spaces for laptop power and network connections.

Toilets

Disabled toilet on every floor of the New Faculty and Mary Allan buildings, and two disabled toilets in the library.

Common rooms

Cafeteria in New Faculty building, serving snacks and light lunches. Fully accessible, but with low tables and chairs. Small kitchens for staff on each floor. Dining hall in Homerton also open to members of the Faculty.

Other

• Garden is all level and accessible, with even paving on paths, good lighting, and some benches.
• Dance/drama studio on site has level access.

Visual Impairments

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs welcome.

Computer facilities

Currently no special hardware or software for visually impaired users. Some could be acquired if necessary, and has been in the past.

Large print, Braille and audio

Large print information, and on coloured paper, on prior request.

Library and magnification equipment

Large windows and good lighting, with extra lights on individual desks. Large, clear signs and markings. Photocopier available. Other facilities could be acquired if needed.

Signs and wayfinding

Good, clear, mostly white-on-grey signage around the New Faculty building. Advice from the RNIB was followed when the signs were installed. Good signs around the site itself and the Mary Allan building.

Other

• Generally good lighting around the faculty and buildings, including lit paths around the site.
• Trumpington House may be difficult, due to many steps, stairs, ledges and corners, but classes can be moved if necessary.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

Induction loop at reception desk in New Faculty building.

Other

• Fire alarm could be adapted for use with a pager if required.
• New Faculty building is large and open plan, with harsh furnishings. Sound does travel, especially from the cafeteria on the ground floor.
• The faculty are looking at better soundproofing for offices, but please advise the Disability Liaison Officer if you have a problem in the meantime.

Specific Learning Difficulties and Mental Health Issues

• Study skills classes for all students run in Michaelmas Term, in conjunction with Homerton College.
• Courses are taught on special educational needs.
• Discuss your individual needs with the Disability Liaison Officer, who will liaise with the Disability Resource Centre.

Planned Access Improvements

Soundproofing of offices is being looked into.