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.

IGC Centre & West Buildings (HGU)

The University of Edinburgh, Western General, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU

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 via uneven surfaces.
  • There is a step-free approach via a steep ramp from Carrington Crescent. There is a step-free approach via a dropped kerb from the car park.
  • IGC Central and West Buildings has one entrance. This entrance provides step-free access via a slight slope. There are double automatic and double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The entrance is signed as Human Genetics Unit.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are no resting areas along circulation routes and lobby areas.
  • There is no wayfinding or overhead signage in 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 in to 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, off the main corridor.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on each floor, off the main corridor.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located on the second floor off the main corridor.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off the main hospital service road.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There is 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay available.
    • The Blue Badge bay is clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 234cm (width) x 465cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 132cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 13m from Central Building Entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and uneven surfaces.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders, permit holders and staff permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located on the right side of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is not 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 over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 5 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 14cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 116cm.
  • There is a key pad at a height of 112cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 92cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors .
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 115cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • There are an additional set of doors past the two doors surveyed. The doors are double manual and have a width of 156cm.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located at the front left of the building.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 19m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • 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.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 119cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 153cm (width) x 116cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and Braille markings.
  • Some of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located at the front right of the building.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • The ground, first, second and third floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do 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 size of the space.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor, off the main corridor.
    • The distance from the entrance is 12m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and 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 85cm.
    • The door has a 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 141cm (width) x 211cm (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, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 72cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have 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 99cm 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 rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 103cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 88cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • The mirror has been angled for ease of use.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.