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.

Minto House

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, 20-22 Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JZ

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.
  • Minto House has three entrances.
    The accessible and rear car park accessible entrances have step-free access via a slight slope.
    There is stepped access at the main entrance.
    There are key card activated automatic doors at all entrances (the alternative being a manual door at the accessible entrance).
    There are single doors at the accessible entrances and double doors at the main entrance.
    The accessible and main entrance provide access to the ground floor.
    The rear accessible car park entrance provides access to the basement floor.
  • The entrances are unsigned.
  • The accessible entrance provides step-free access via slight slope to the reception foyer on the ground floor.
  • The main entrance is located in Chambers Street and has stepped access.
    The rear accessible entrance is located in the car park and has step-free access via a slight slope.
  • The second floor does not have a main circulation corridor in some areas where rooms are passed through.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access via slopes throughout the building on all floors.
  • On the ground floor there is a slight slope leading from the accessible entrance to the central corridor which bypasses nearby steps.
    On the ground floor there is a slight slope to the rear of the building.
    On the ground floor there are ramped thresholds in some doorways.
    On the basement floor there is a steep slope leading to Seminar Rooms 1-3 and toilet facilities.
    On the basement floor there are steps leading down to rear rooms.
    On the second floor there is a slight slope leading down into the workshop area where there is no circulation corridor.
  • On the second floor there are steps near a rear staircase which can be bypassed using the platform lift.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish, and some being patterned.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounting wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building.

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 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor, basement floor and third floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The female toilet facilities are located on the basement floor.
    • The male toilet facilities are located off the staircase near the basement floor.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located on the basement floor.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the rear of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of cobbles.
    • There are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays have faded markings.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 260cm (width) x 480cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 10m from the rear car park - basement floor entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access, uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for permit holders only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located at the front of the car park.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking and standard parking is available .
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Chambers Street.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.

Entrance (Accessible)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, to the left.
  • 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 slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The slope bypasses the steps.
  • There are 2 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps have some clear markings.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 92cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 90cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • There is also a manual door available to the left of the automatic door.

Entrance (Rear Car Park - Basement Floor)

  • This entrance is located at the rear of the building, to the right.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and a bollard.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 103cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 110cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 90cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is step-free access via ramp as you enter.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with a handrail on the right going down.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the right as you enter.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 35m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has manual doors.
  • There is step-free access via slope to reception.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The height of the reception desk is 75cm.
  • The reception has windows.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: sofas and benches.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located down the slope and to the left as you enter the accessible entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 40m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has slight ramps or slopes and manual doors.
  • The basement, ground, first and second floors 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 external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
  • None of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 77cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 107cm (width) x 180cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • Some of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The interior lift controls refer to the basement as G, ground floor as 1, first floor as 2 and second floor as 3.

Lift (Platform Lift - Second Floor)

  • The lift surveyed is located on the second floor, to the left from the lift.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the lift is 25m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • The Maltings second floor and Minto House second floor are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • Some 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 76cm (width) x 94cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • None of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • A key available from reception may be required for this lift.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right as you enter, near reception.
  • The basement, ground, first and second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have some clear markings and have a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail does not cover 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 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are further staircases throughout the building.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - G.Z21 - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the far right of the ground floor, beyond Student Services.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 60m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has slight ramps or slopes and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial, written text and ‘Not All Disabilities Are Visible’ signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens by sliding and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 79cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 160cm (width) x 216cm (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 97cm (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 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 91cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm 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 cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 88cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 104cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 162cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.