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The Oaks - Accommodation

Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5JD

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Access Guide

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Accommodation Overview

  • About View
    • The Oaks is part of a site of 2 accommodation blocks located at Holly Cross, on the Keele campus, off Keele Drive.
    • It is an accommodation made up of self-catered cluster flats on 4 floors, in 2 blocks, A and B.
    • The floors are numbered -0, 1, 2, and 3.
    • Oaks Block A has 97 rooms; Block B has 83.
    • There are 6 rooms with adaptations, all in Block A.
    • These rooms are located on a single corridor, on the ground floor of Block A.
    • All rooms with adaptations have an ensuite with a wheel-in shower.
    • Standard accommodation has ensuites with shower pods.
    • Kitchen and dining facilities are available on all floors of the accommodation buildings.
      There are also lounges and study rooms on the ground floor.
      Laundry facilities are shared with, and located at Holly Cross.
    • There is a shared social space, The Cross, located at ground level between Blocks A and B.
  • Parking and Public Transport View

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via slight or very slight slopes.
  • The step-free approach to Block A is from Keele Drive.
  • There is a push pad activated, single automatic door available at the entrance to Block A.
  • The main entrance is not named (signed as A Oaks).
  • There is stepped access on the approach to Block B.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout Block A on all floors, via the lift.
  • Floor surfaces along circulation routes are hard and smooth or carpeted and smooth.
  • Wayfinding signage is limited in this building.
  • There are some manual doors to access stairwells and corridors.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor in block A, and in The Cross common room.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the rear and side of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of block paving.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted and have markings which are faded.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 240cm (width) x 500cm (depth).
    • There are no hatched/marked zones.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy ramp or slope.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Block A)

  • This entrance is located at the side of Block A.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 105cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 102cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 90cm.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right from the entrance in Block A.
  • The distance from the entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and automatic doors.
  • G, 1 and 2 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 107cm (width) x 146cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The lift in block B is identical.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located centrally within Block A.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • G, 1 and 2 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 16 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the left going down.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Bedroom with Adaptations (Room 141)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bedroom surveyed is located on the ground floor of Block A.
    • The distance from the Block A entrance is 25m.
    • The most accessible route to the bedroom has step-free level access and automatic doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the bedroom.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 90cm.
    • The door opens inwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm.
  • Bedroom Features View
    • The bedroom has a double bed.
    • The top of the mattress is 60cm from the floor.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre next to the bed (150cm x 150cm).
    • The following is available in this bedroom: bedside plug sockets and a desk.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • This bedroom does not have an adjoining room.

Ensuite with Adaptations (Room 141)

  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the ensuite.
    • The ensuite door opens inwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening to the ensuite is 78cm.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the ensuite are 175cm (width) x 175cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 115cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 63cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 83cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a twist/turn tap.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is a shelf, however there is an obstruction in front of it.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The ensuite has a pedal bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 183cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • The ensuite has a wheel-in shower.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a fixed height shower head.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 52cm from the floor.
    • There is a grab rail and a dropdown rail for the shower.
    • The shower grab rails have a low visual contrast.
    • The shower dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.

Communal Facilities

  • Common Room View
    • The common room is located on the ground floor of Block A.
    • There is step-free level access into the common room.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Seating available in the kitchen includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in the kitchen includes: tables.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Kitchen/Dining

  • The kitchen/dining area is located on the ground floor corridor in block A.
  • There is step-free level access into the kitchen/dining area.
  • There is a single automatic door with a low visual contrast.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 78cm.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • The work surface is 92cm from the floor.
  • A lowered work surface is available with a clear knee recess.
  • The lowered work surface is 74cm from the floor.
  • Overhead and under counter cupboards are available.
  • The hob is 93cm from the floor.
  • A lowered hob is available with a clear knee recess.
  • The lowered hob is 81cm from the floor.
  • The oven is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The sink is 92cm from the floor.
  • A lowered sink is available with a clear knee recess.
  • The lowered sink is 81cm from the floor.
  • The sink has a lever mixer tap.
  • Facilities within the kitchen include a fridge freezer, a microwave, a kettle and a toaster.
  • Seating available in the kitchen includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the ground floor corridor of Block A.
    • The distance from the entrance is 10m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and automatic doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 168cm (width) x 275cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 98cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 98cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 80cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 112cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.