You are on Accommodation Overview. Skip to the next section.

Accommodation Overview

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• About View
  • Deaconess accommodation is located on Pleasance, near to Edinburgh Old Town.
  • Deaconess is made up of individual blocks, access to each block is via an external uncovered courtyard.
    There are either 4 or 5 floors in each block.
    The flats in the blocks can have 3, 5, or 6 rooms in each flat.
  • Deaconess has 315 rooms.
  • There are 33 rooms with adaptations.
  • The rooms with adaptations are located on various floors throughout the block.
  • More than 10 rooms with adaptations have an ensuite with a wheel-in shower.
  • Standard accommodation has ensuites with stepped shower cubicles.
  • The communal facilities include a common room, a laundry room and toilets.
• Parking and Public Transport View
  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • There is on-street standard parking.
  • The nearest parking is located along Pleasance (on-street parking).
  • The nearest train station is Waverley.
  • The nearest bus station is Edinburgh Bus Station.
  • For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
  • View information on getting here (opens new tab) .

You are on Getting Inside. Skip to the next section.

Getting Inside

• The approach to the building is step-free and level.
• There is a key card activated double automatic door at the main entrance.
• The entrance is signed with the name of the building.
• The main entrance provides a sloped or a stepped access to the reception foyer on the ground floor.

You are on Getting Around. Skip to the next section.

Getting Around

• There is step-free access throughout all the accommodation blocks.
• Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth.
• There is a seating area within the reception lobby area.
• Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the blocks.
• There are some manual doors giving access to lift lobbies in some of the blocks.

You are on Emergency Egress for Building. Skip to the next section.

Emergency Egress for Building

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

You are on Toilet and Changing Facilities. Skip to the next section.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

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• Toilet Facilities View
  • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
  • The toilet with adaptations is located to the left of the main entrance.
  • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
  • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located to the right of the main entrance.

You are on Entrance (Main). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Main)

• This entrance is located to the front of the Deaconess Building.
• 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 ramp at the entrance.
• The ramp has a slight gradient.
• The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
• The ramp bypasses the step.
• There is 1 step with a handrail on the right going up.
• The handrail is easy to grip.
• The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
• The handrail extends horizontally beyond the first and last step.
• The step is unmarked.
• The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
• The height of the highest step is 16cm.
• There is a buzzer at a height of 125cm.
• There is an intercom at a height of 120cm.
• There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
• The doors open towards you.
• The width of the opening is 103cm.
• There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
• The doors have a low visual contrast.
• There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 97cm.
• There is no push pad for the automatic doors, the key card automatically opens the door.
  Key card reader height 100cm.
• There is step-free level access as you enter.

You are on Lift (Main Block 142). Skip to the next section.

Lift (Main Block 142)

• The lift surveyed is located ahead and to the left from the main entrance.
• The distance from the main entrance is 7m.
• The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
• The ground, first, second and third 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 and a high visual contrast.
• The majority of the external controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift door opening width is 90cm.
• The internal dimensions of the lift are 104cm (width) x 138cm (depth).
• The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
• The majority of the internal 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.

You are on Reception (Main Block 142). Skip to the next section.

Reception (Main Block 142)

• The reception is located to the right of the main entrance.
• The distance from the main entrance is 4m.
• There is step-free level access to reception.
• The height of the reception desk is 79cm.
• The reception has glazed screens and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Communal Facilities (Main Block 142). Skip to the next section.

Communal Facilities (Main Block 142)

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• Common Room View
  • The common room is located ahead from the main entrance on the ground floor of main block 142.
  • There is step-free level access into the common room.
  • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 84cm.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The flooring is patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the kitchen includes: chairs with armrests, armchairs, sofas, benches and stools.
  • Furniture available in the kitchen includes: tables and coffee tables.
  • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
• Laundry Room View
  • The laundry room is located on the ground floor of main block 142.
  • There is step-free level access into the laundry room.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 80cm.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Facilities within the room include a washing machine and a tumble dryer.
  • The following machines are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user: washing machine and tumble dryer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Toilet with Adaptations (Black 142 - Main Block - Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Toilet with Adaptations (Black 142 - Main Block - Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

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• Location and Access View
  • The toilet surveyed is located to the left of the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the facility.
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
  • 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 160cm (width) x 221cm (depth) and there is not 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 91cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
  • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
  • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
  • 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 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 low visual contrast.
  • The toilet roll holder is 70cm 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 high 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 87cm 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, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
  • There is no mirror.
  • The cubicle has a waste 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.

You are on Entrance (Courtyard). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Courtyard)

• This entrance is located to the left of the main entrance within the main block 142 entrance lobby.
• The entrance area is not clearly signed.
• There is step-free level access at the entrance.
• There is a key card reader to gain access back into main block 142.
  The key card reader height is 102cm.
• There is a single manual door at this entrance.
• The door opens away from you.
• The width of the opening is 75cm.
• The door has a low visual contrast.
• There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 105cm.

You are on Lift (Platform - Courtyard). Skip to the next section.

Lift (Platform - Courtyard)

• This lift is a platform lift.
• The distance from the courtyard entrance is 9m.
• The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
• The ground and lower ground floors 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 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 89cm.
• The internal dimensions of the lift are 89cm (width) x 125cm (depth).
• The internal lift control buttons have 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.
• At the time of survey (March 2025) this lift was under maintenance.

You are on Stairs (Courtyard). Skip to the next section.

Stairs (Courtyard)

• The stairs surveyed are located ahead from the courtyard entrance.
• The ground and lower ground floors can be accessed by these stairs.
• There are 18 steps between floors.
• The steps are unmarked and have handrails on both sides.
• The steps have tactile markings at the top.
• 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 height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
• The height of the highest step is 15cm.
• The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.

You are on Outdoor Spaces (Courtyard). Skip to the next section.

Outdoor Spaces (Courtyard)

• The following is available in this area: seating area and access to other accommodation blocks.
• Outdoor areas consist of block paving.
• There are no footpaths.
• There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
• The following areas have stepped access: access to the accommodation blocks with lower ground access.

You are on Entrance (Block 146 - From Courtyard). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Block 146 - From Courtyard)

• This entrance is located to the front of the block, within the courtyard.
• The entrance area is clearly signed.
• There is 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 110cm.
• There is a single manual door at this entrance.
• The door opens towards you.
• The width of the opening is 90cm.
• The door has a low visual contrast.

You are on Lift (Block 146). Skip to the next section.

Lift (Block 146)

• The lift surveyed is located ahead from the block entrance and to the left.
• The distance from the block entrance is 6m.
• The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
• The lower ground (-1), ground, first, second and third 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 and a high visual contrast.
• The majority of the external controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift door opening width is 90cm.
• The internal dimensions of the lift are 107cm (width) x 138cm (depth).
• The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
• The majority of the internal 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.
• There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

You are on Stairs (Block 146). Skip to the next section.

Stairs (Block 146)

• The stairs surveyed are located to the left of the block entrance.
• The lower ground (basement), ground, first, second and third floors can be accessed by these stairs.
• There are 18 steps between floors.
• The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
• The handrails are not easy to grip.
• The handrail extends 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 not between 30cm and 45cm.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Bedroom and Ensuite with Adaptations (Block 146 - Flat 2 - Studio). Skip to the next section.

Bedroom and Ensuite with Adaptations (Block 146 - Flat 2 - Studio)

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• Bedroom Access View
  • The bedroom surveyed is located on the lower ground floor of block 146.
  • The distance from entrance of block 146 is 16m.
  • The most accessible route to the bedroom has step-free level access and a lift.
  • There is step-free level access into the bedroom.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
• Bedroom Features View
  • The bedroom has a single bed.
  • The top of the mattress is 56cm from the floor.
  • The space under the bed is 27cm from the floor.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre next to the bed (150cm x 150cm).
  • Some flooring is patterned.
  • The following is available in this bedroom: a chair without armrests, 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 Access View
  • There is step-free level access into the ensuite.
  • The ensuite door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening to the ensuite is 80cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
• Ensuite Dimensions and Features View
  • The dimensions of the ensuite are 310cm (width) x 165cm (depth) and there is not 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 196cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
  • There is a push button flush on top of the cistern.
  • The toilet seat is 39cm from the floor.
  • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
  • 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.
  • There is a push button emergency alarm.
  • There is a mirror.
  • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
  • The ensuite has a waste 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.
  • The ensuite has a wheel-in shower.
  • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
  • The shower controls are lever mixer.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower, however it was tied up at the time of the survey.

You are on Kitchen/Dining (Block 146 - Flat 2 - Studio). Skip to the next section.

Kitchen/Dining (Block 146 - Flat 2 - Studio)

• The kitchen/dining area is located within the studio.
• There is step-free level access into the kitchen/dining area.
• 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 hob is 90cm from the floor.
• The oven is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The sink is 90cm from the floor.
• The sink has a lever mixer tap.
• Facilities within the kitchen include a fridge freezer and a kettle.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.