University College

The college can arrange disabled parking located via Merton Street.

Drive down Merton Lane and turn right after the first block of houses (you will see a gap between the buildings).  You will find a gate, a member of staff will open the gate (please call the lodge: 01865 276 602). Once through the gate there is a space to the right hand side of the archway, there are no markings but this space is ample for any disabled user to park and have clearance to exit the car.

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The main entrance to University College is located off High Street. It is stepped with large stone steps. It isn’t suitable for wheelchair users, that said you will find a door bell adjacent to the steps (right-hand side) and the porters will pop out and assist you however you may need.

There are three level access routes into the college site depending on where you need to be.

Via Logic Lane (easiest route)

If facing the steps in, turn left and continue along for a few hundred metres to reach Logic Lane (first road on the right-hand side). The lane is cobbled and cambered, it is definitely bumpy and uneven under foot or wheels.  If you are wheelchair user you will most likely need assistance.

About two thirds of the way along the lane (about 500m) you will find a gate located on the right-hand side. There is key pad entry. This will unlock the gate and you can then gain access to x quad, y quad and quads z/q beyond. Once through the gate, the existing paving is levelled out and landscaped but it is a bit steep and it is old York stone. Therefore care is advised or take assistance should you need it.

On the other side of the lane, is another keypad entry gate. This leads to Goodhart, Cecily's Court and Merton Street areas of the college. 

Via Merton Street

The site can be accessed from a third gate located of Merton Street. The back gate is not powered therefore disabled users entering by car are required to phone ahead and a member of the Porters' Lodge will come and open the gate and escort any user with additional needs to where they need to be.

If you are a member of the college you will be issued with the key codes, or if you a visitor the porters will accompany and assist you to your destination.

The main college site is split by Logic Lane, should you need to cross between the two the paving has been improved between to allow easier transition.

The college intends to put a ramp from High Street in to the main site in the coming months which will dramatically improve disabled access avoiding the cobbled lanes.

Via Kybald Street

From the High Street entrance (facing the steps) turn right, find Magpie Lane (first on the left-hand side) and then turn left onto Kybald Street. Ahead of you will see and archway, pass under this and follow the curved wall around. This will take you to the rear entrance which is also a keypad lock.

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The Porters' Lodge is located just off High Street. For those that can, simply walk up the steps and the lodge is located under the archway on the right-hand side  For those unable to manage stairs there is a door bell located on the street level to the right of the steps. The porters will pop out and assist/escort you as required.

The lodge itself has a hatch that is quite high but the porters are very familiar with disabled visitors and are vigilant and very friendly. To access the lodge from within the college simply head to Main Quad and look for the large archway.

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Accessible toilets

There are 5 accessible toilets located across the main site.

The easiest to access upon arrival is located at the base of staircase 3, as you pass from Main Quad towards the Shelley memorial, the toilet is located in the corridor connecting the two, slightly behind you on the right-hand side. There is another accessible toilet located within the social hub area of the main site (Dining Hall, Buttery, SCR) on the second floor. Simply exit the lift and turn right, you will see a wood panelled curved wall on your right-hand side. Within the panels is a door that hides an accessible toilet! 

Crossing Logic Lane, there are additional accessible toilets located in the Sykes seminar space attached to Goodhart buildings, another 2 located towards the rear of the site. There is one adjacent to the Squire Seminar room and another located at 10 Merton Street.

There are also fully accessible private toilets located in the en suites in the 3 accessible rooms located in the Goodhart Building.

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There are several lifts on site.

At the rear of the main quad is a complex of buildings with lift access.  Pass through the blue door (choose the one of the right as you face them) immediately to your left is a platform lift (operated by the hall staff), this will allow users who cannot managed stairs to bypass the small flight of stairs, the lift opens up into the dining hall where users can either stay and dine or pass through the doors (to your left) and diagonally across the hallway to a ramped corridor that leads to a lobby area, here you will find the lift.  The lift goes to all floors:

Basement

Bar access (although via a service corridor - therefore advance notice or assistance is required).

Ground floor

Dining Hall, Buttery.

First floor

MCR dining, accessible WC, Seminar rooms.

In the Goodhart buildings there is a lift that takes users to all floors (expect the basement squash courts).  Simply enter the building via staircase G3, the lift is located to the right of the stair lobby.  This lift services the accessible bedrooms and kitchen/social areas and other student rooms.

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The site has grown over many centuries and as such has a mix of stairs! In total there are more than 30 staircases - the images below represent the mix.

Where possible the College has provided railings and tactile edgings and contrast nosing to aid those with visual and mobility impairments. 

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The site has grown over many centuries and as such has a mix of doors!

Some of the older doors are heavy and wooden and those with strength issues might require assistance.

Below is a selection of images to try and represent the mix.

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This Quad contains

Staircases 1- 8

Seminar rooms:  Butler Room, Green Room

Lodge

Chapel

Dining Hall

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This Quad contains

Staircases 9-12

Laundry

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This Quad contains

New Buildings

Library

Kybald House

Helens Court

MCR

Bar

Seminar Rooms: 90 High Street Lecture Room

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This Quad contains:

Staircases G1- G3

Seminar Rooms: Goodhart Seminar Room, Sykes I & II

Law Library

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This Quad contains

83 - 85 High Street

Seminar rooms: Bostar Hall

Durham Buildings 1-3

This Quad contains

Seminar Rooms: Squire Seminar Suite

9 - 18 Merton Street

The library is located at the rear of the Fellows Garden. The easiest way to reach the library is to pass via the Shelley Memorial and via the Fellows Garden, there is a ramp leading to the library entrance.

There are large double doors (held open) and a smaller door to pass through to enter the library.  There is a librarian located adjacent to the entrance and they have a clear view of the doors and are more than willing to help.  Once inside the library the space is quite compact with high shelving and rolling stacks located at the rear.  There is space to manoeuvre and the desks are a suitable height for most wheelchairs.  Access to the upper floor of the library is not level, therefore wheelchair users will be restricted to the lower level, and the library staff will fetch materials and assist wherever needed.

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There is lecture theatre located at 90 High Street; unfortunately this building is not accessible to those that require level access. 

The room has a lectern and flexible chairs and desks should an ambulant user need any adjustments.  There is also a hearing loop system for users with hearing impairment. 

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University College has many seminar rooms of different sizes and ages. 

Accessible Seminar Rooms:

12 Merton St 

Swire Seminar Room

Sykes I

Sykes II

Swire Seminar Room

Winter Common Room

Green Room

Masters Lodgings

Club Room (Boathouse)

Redcliffe Maud House (Staverton).

Inaccessible Seminar Rooms:

Bostar Hall

Goodhart Seminar Room

9 Merton St 

As you can see there are plenty of options and they are mostly accessible.

All Seminar rooms have moveable furniture, therefore should anyone user have specific needs the room can be set up accordingly.

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The JCR is located on the first floor in Main Quad, with an additional TV room above.  It is currently inaccessible to those that cannot manage stairs. The college intends to move the JCR to an accessible location in the near future. Where possible the college will organise events in accessible spaces to accommodate user's needs.

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The MCR is located up one flight of stairs at the rear of the Fellows Garden.  This area is inaccessible to wheelchair users, where possible the college will organise events in accessible spaces to accommodate user's needs.

The SCR is located at the base of Staircase 2 off Main Quad.  There is level access and keypad (easily reached) to gain entry.  Once inside it is two linked lounges with a small kitchenette for refreshments. It is open plan with plenty of flexible seating.

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The Dining Hall is located at the rear of Main Quad and is accessible via a platform lift. Pass through the right hand side blue door (it is normally held open), immediately to your right is a platform lift. In order to use the lift a member of staff will be needed to operate the lift. The staff will most likely spot you and assist but please call the main lodge, the Porters' will be able to help and can be contacted on 01865 276 602.

The lift leads to a set of wooden doors that will be opened for you by a member of staff, pass through these into the hall. Once inside there are fixed tables and seats can be moved away for those who need wheelchair access. The top table is on a stage and a temporary ramp can be used when appropriate.

The Buttery is adjacent to the Dining Hall and is level access. The Buttery has low counters and plenty of space to get around. Some users may need help to access items from the fridges in the self-service area adjacent.

There is additional dining in the SCR Dining Room. To access this please enter into the Dining Room as above, pass through the lobby adjacent to the servery (turn left after the platform lift),  cross the lobby area and down a ramped corridor. Here you will find another lobby with a passenger lift and head up one floor (to 1st). When exiting the lift turn right and directly in front of you is the SCR Dining Room.

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There are some additional spaces that fall outside of the typical JCR/MCR/bar construct.

There is a music room in 10 Merton Street which will open when the renovations are complete in XXXX.

There is also squash court in the basement of G2 in Goodhart Buildings, but this is not accessible to those who cannot manage stairs.

There are 4 accessible bedrooms within the college.

On the main site the 3 accessible rooms are all located in the Goodhart Building (staircase G3).  There is a bedroom on each floor.  The rooms are large with an accessible ensuite bathroom with a wheel in shower/wet room with shower chair and adapted (shared) kitchens across the corridor. The proportion of the rooms is very generous and would suit most mobility impaired users.  The doors to the room and adjacent facilities are not powered but they are light for users.

There is also one accessible bedroom in Redcliffe Maud House at Staverton. 

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There are kitchens located in many areas of the College

However there is a specially adapted kitchen in the Goodhart Building on Level 1.

An example of the adapted kitchen is shown below.

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Unfortunately the laundry on site is not accessible to those who need level access. In the instance of a member of college having a disability the College will gladly assist you with laundry.

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The bar is located in the basement between Main Quad and the Fellows Garden.  The bar can be accessed by the main passenger lift adjacent to the Dining Hall. The lift exits into a service corridor, therefore it is best to be assisted or call ahead so the bar staff can assist and make sure the route is not obstructed. Once inside there is a mix of flexible and fixed seating.

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The chapel is located at the rear of Main Quad. 

There are two blue doors as you view the quad from under the main entrance archway- the chapel is the left hand side door.

There is a small ante chamber prior to the chapel.  There is a set of wooden double doors to enter the chapel, pass through these doors and you are in the chapel.

The chapel has tiered choral benches and an altar. The college will find any wheelchair users a suitable location to join in services. 

The flooring is a mix of flagstones and tiles and is technically level although due to the uneven nature and the heavy doors some users might want assistance if visiting alone.

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The college has a series of landscaped areas mostly within quads.  The main gardens are the Fellows Gardens, these are more extensive and have mixed planting and seating areas.  There are random benches and areas of planting throughout the college.  They are all accessible too so please have a wonder.

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There are fixed induction loops in the High Street Lecture Theatre and the Squire Seminar Room.

There are also portable hearing support systems available. There are systems suitable for large rooms as well as smaller meeting rooms. It is advisable to request the use of these in advance by contacting The Porters’ Lodge.