Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

George Square, 40 - Lower Ground Teaching Hub

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, 40 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JX

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level, or step-free via slight slope.
  • There is step-free level access on approach from the internal link entrances.
    There is step-free access with a slight slope on approach from George Square or Buccleuch Place.
  • George Square, 40 Lower Ground Teaching Hub has 4 entrances.
    The main, George Square, 40, and George Square, 40 Lecture Theatre link entrances provide step-free level access via lift and automatic doors.
    The George Square, 40 link entrance provides step-free level access via lift and manual doors.
    The rear parking entrance provides step-free sloped access via automatic doors.
  • The entrances for this venue are not clearly signed.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in all circulation and lobby areas, with a mixture of seating available.
  • Limited wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are no manual doors in any circulation routes, only to access the George Square, 40 link entrance.

Emergency Egress for Building

  • General Building Information View
    • Please note the fire evacuation strategy from the upper floors of this building relies on the ability to self-transfer into an evacuation chair.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located along the main circulation route within the building.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations and a right-hand transfer space is located to the right side of the building as you enter the main entrance.
      The toilet with adaptations and transfer space both sides is located at the rear left of the building, as you enter the main entrance.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the right side of the building as you enter the main entrance.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations which is on the right side of the building.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking (Windmill Lane)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the right of the rear parking entrance, off Buccleuch Place.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are no designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for permit holders only.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, in the southeast corner of George Square.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 119cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There are 2 sets of similar automatic doors at this entrance.
    The doors surveyed are to the right as you approach the entrance.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 121cm.
  • The second door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access via lift as you enter.
  • The lift bypasses the steps.
  • There are 13 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The step markings are not clearly visible.
  • 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.
  • The above staircase information is for the stairs located between the first and second set of automatic doors.
    These steps can be avoided by using the lift within the entrance vestibule.

Lift (Main Entrance)

  • The lift surveyed is located within the main entrance vestibule.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 2m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and automatic doors.
  • The ground and lower ground floor are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 115cm (width) x 149cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located ahead and to the right as you enter the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and a lift.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 198cm (width) x 217cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 127cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • 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 medium 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 74cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 86cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 91cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 126cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 86cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Transfer Both Sides)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located at the rear left of the building when entering vis the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 38m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and a lift.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 202cm (width) x 248cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet, however the left side is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 80cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • The lateral transfer space on the right is 83cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the left transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a medium visual contrast.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 100cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a low 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 86cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 85cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 125cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.