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.

Old Surgeons Hall

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, Surgeons Square, High School Yards, Edinburgh, EH1 1LZ

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.
  • The most accessible entrance into the building is via the front of the venue, which is step-free and level.
  • The entrances are not signed. But the rear entrance does have a sign pointing towards the main entrance.
  • The Accessible Entrance (main entrance) provides step-free access to the ground floor and the accessible lift.
  • The Rear Entrance is located in the rear of the venue, by Drummond Street. The approach to this entrance has a steep wide ramp followed by two steep ramps at the entrance. This entrance also leads the visitor to the building staircase and the accessible lift can't be reached step-free. This second entrance has a width of 107cm and the card reader is at a height of 110cm.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Floor surface along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, the type of flooring is carpet. There are no shinny or repeated patterns on the flooring.
  • There are no resting areas in the circulation.
  • There are wayfinding signage on each floor letting visitors know of the facilities on each floor.
  • There are no manual doors in circulation corridors, only to access the stairwell.

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 is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the first floor, to the right as you exit the lift.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor to the left beyond the main entrance.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located on the first and floor, to the right as you exit the lift.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the second floor, to the right as you exit the lift.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking (High School Yards)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located within the High School Yards, in front of The George and Kaity David Centre (ECCI).
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 247cm (width) x 488cm (depth).
    • The hatched/marked zones vary between bays.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 38m from main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders and permit holders only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 2 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 240cm (width) x 600cm (depth).
    • The controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available .
  • Public Car Parks View
    • Visitors need to be part of the Car Club in order to use the EV points. Payment is done using a Car Club top up card.

Parking (Drummond Street)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Drummond Street.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of concrete.
    • There is 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 245cm (width) x 475cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 175cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 38m from main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has steep ramps or slopes and steps.
    • The approach from the car park to the main entrance has stairs and a steep ramp. The stairs has 19 steps, with hand rails on both side. The highest step is 15cm, the going of the step is 27cm. The steep ramp has hand rails on the left going down and has a width of over 150cm.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders and permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available .

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the venue.
  • The entrance area is 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 key fob/card reader at a height of 105cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 57cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 110cm.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 108cm.
  • The width of the opening is 101cm.
  • The second door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 110cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right beyond the entrance.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from main entrance is 7m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Ground, First and Second are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift does not have 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 high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 100cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 123cm (width) x 168cm (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.
  • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located immediately to the right beyond the main entrance.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • The Ground, First and Second floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail that switches sides.
  • The handrail is not 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Kitchen/Dining (Coffee Room)

  • The kitchen/dining area is located to the left as you exit the lift on the first floor.
  • There is step-free level access into the kitchen/dining area.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 85cm.
  • 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 90cm from the floor.
  • Overhead and under counter cupboards are available.
  • The sink is 90cm from the floor.
  • Facilities within the kitchen include a fridge, a dishwasher, a microwave, a kettle and a toaster.
  • The following machines are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user: dishwasher.
  • Seating available in the kitchen includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the kitchen includes: coffee tables.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Coffee machine is on a table which is 72cm high.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor, to the right as you exit the lift.
    • The distance from Lift is 6m.
    • 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 87cm.
    • 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 high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 210cm (width) x 222cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 141cm (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 low visual contrast.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The dropdown rail has a low 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 108cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 86cm 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 96cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 152cm and 158cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.