Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

Department of Physics

Contact Details

Address

Cavendish Laboratory,
JJ Thomson Avenue,
Cambridge CB3 0HE

Tel.

01223 337 200

Fax

01223 363 263

Email

recept@phy.cam.ac.uk

Web

www.phy.cam.ac.uk

Access Issues

Contact

Mr Robert Hay

Tel.

01223 337 421

Fax

01223 766 360

Email

rach2@cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

West Cambridge Site. See separate entry for West Cambridge Site.

Parking

Car park outside main entrance. Call to reserve a space in the visitors car park. Regular disabled members can obtain a permit if necessary.

General Information

Main department consists of the Mott, Bragg, Rutherford and Link buildings, all with good access. Access to the Bragg building has recently been improved with a new lift and disabled toilet. The IRC (previously Superconductivity) building, Microelectronics building, and temporary ‘Terrapin’ building are also on site and have good access. A new Physics of Medicine facility will be built opposite the main entrance, starting this year.

Smoking

No smoking anywhere in the buildings.

Medical facilities

Several first aiders and a first aid room. Emergency showers and many first aid boxes. Practical work out of office hours is discouraged.

Emergency procedures

Evacuation chairs on all staircases, and plenty of trained fire wardens. Clearly marked refuges. Speak to the safety officer if you will need help evacuating in an emergency.

Physical Access

Entrances

Ramp down to main entrance, through two sets of manual doors. Low reception counter. Ground level entrances to all buildings, but some very heavy doors. Swipe card access to most buildings and keypad or key-locked entrance to most laboratories.

Number of floors

Most buildings have two floors, including ground floor. There are three floors in the Mott building.

Lifts and stairs

New lift in foyer of Bragg building. Lift in IRC and Microelectronics buildings. Goods lifts with manual doors in Mott and Rutherford buildings. Do not use lifts after 5pm. Stairs all have continuous handrails.

Lecture theatres

Two in Bragg building, both tiered with padded fold-down seats and fixed bench tables. Ground level access to bottom or lift access to top, with some space for wheelchairs.

Seminar/teaching rooms

Seminar rooms, laboratories and other facilities all round site, all accessible. Laboratory benches standard height, but adjustable benches are under consideration. Fairly cluttered, but can be cleared and arranged as necessary with advance notice.

Library

Rayleigh Library on first floor of Bragg building, accessible via lift. Wide door, plenty of shelf and workspace, and some chairs with armrests. Staffed office hours. 24 hour access with swipe card.

Computer facilities

Computer room with PWFs on ground floor of Bragg, all accessible but can get rather hot and stuffy when busy. Some computers in library. Adaptations to help with repetitive strain injury can be acquired if necessary.

Toilets

Disabled toilets in Bragg, Rutherford, Microelectronics, and IRC buildings. New disabled toilet installed recently in Bragg building, near the undergraduate teaching area.

Common rooms

Large cafeteria in Rutherford building. Double doors, smooth and spacious inside, with decent height tables and moveable chairs. Self-service snacks and full lunches.

Museum

Small museum on first floor of Bragg, accessible via lift. Smooth and spacious inside, and all accessible.

Other

• Grassed areas around the site, all accessible, with some benches and a large pond.
• Footpaths have recently been improved around the site.

Visual Impairments

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs welcome. Please discuss in advance if you want to take your dog into a laboratory, as a risk assessment must be undertaken.

Computer facilities

Currently no special hardware or software for visually impaired users. Some could be acquired if necessary.

Large print, Braille and audio

Large print information on prior request. No touch-readable or audio information in lifts.

Library and magnification equipment

Magnifying glass and extra worklamps available from reception desk. Photocopier and coloured paper in library.

Signs and wayfinding

Simple map outside main entrance. Very few signs around the buildings, and some signs are now incorrect. Please ask at reception if you need assistance.

Other

• Most stairs and steps are marked, and have continuous handrails. Those in Bragg building are coloured bright yellow.
• Careful to avoid the pond in the garden, as there are no barriers or warnings. There is little lighting at night around the site.
• Museum information is rather small and hard to read.
• Large screens in lecture theatres, with good lighting.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

Induction loops in both lecture theatres.

Other

• Offices, corridors and laboratories are mostly carpeted and quiet. The site as a whole is set slightly back from the West Cambridge Site, so is fairly peaceful.

Specific Learning Difficulties and Mental Health Issues

Arrangements for members with Specific Learning Difficulties are on an individual basis, in conjunction with the Disability Resource Centre. Discuss your needs with the Disability Liaison Officer.

Planned Access Improvements

Continual access improvements as need arises and finances allow. Please discuss if you have any needs or suggestions.