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Richmond Park

The University of Manchester, Whitworth Lane, Fallowfield, Manchester, M14 6YY

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Access Guide

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Accommodation Overview

Getting Inside

  • The paths leading to some of the accommodation buildings are level, some have slight slopes and some are ramped or stepped.
  • The approach to the Richmond Park Amenities Building is ramped or stepped.
  • There is 1 entrance to each accommodation block
    There are automatic doors in Poplar Court Flats 9-16 and Willow Court Flats 1-8.
    There are manual doors at the entrances for all the other accommodation blocks.
  • The entrances do not have signage other than the flat numbers.
  • The entrances provide step-free level access to the ground floor of the accommodation blocks.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access on the ground floor of all the accommodation blocks.
  • Floor surfaces along circulation routes are carpeted and smooth.
  • There is limited wayfinding signage within the building.
  • There are manual doors to access the flats and stairwells in all accommodation blocks.

Entrance (Poplar Court - Flats 9 To 16)

  • This entrance is located at the front of flats 9 to 16.
  • 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 over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 143cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 100cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 91cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 100cm.
  • At the time of survey the power-assisted door was not working (23rd July 2024).
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Stairs (Poplar Court - Flats 9 To 16)

  • The stairs surveyed are located within Poplar Court, in the building housing flats 9 to 16.
  • Floors G, 1, 2, 3 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 16 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have 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 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.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Bedroom with Adaptations (Poplar Court - Flat 9 - Room 72)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bedroom surveyed is located within Flat 9 of Poplar Court.
    • The distance from Flats 9 To 16 Entrance is 7m.
    • The most accessible route to the bedroom has step-free level access and automatic doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the bedroom.
    • There is a single automatic door to enter Flat 9 with an opening width of 84cm. The door opens towards you. The height of the key fob reader is 100cm.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 100cm.
    • The door opens inwards and has a medium 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 52cm from the floor.
    • The space under the bed is 22cm from the floor.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre next to the bed (150cm x 150cm).
    • The following is available in this bedroom: a chair without armrests, a height adjustable bed, a height adjustable desk, wardrobes for seated users, bedside plug sockets, a ceiling track hoist and a mobile hoist.
    • The hoist accesses all areas.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
    • This bedroom does not have an adjoining room.

Ensuite with Adaptations (Poplar Court - Flat 9 - Room 72)

  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the ensuite.
    • The ensuite door opens outwards and has a medium visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening to the ensuite is 81cm.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the ensuite are 185cm (width) x 170cm (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 120cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is an elbow pad flush for the toilet.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high 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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 81cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • There are no vertical grab rails at the wash basin.
    • There is not a soap dispenser.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The ensuite has no disposal facilities.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 110cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • The sink is height adjustable. At the time of survey the sink was at its highest position of 85cm. It was not possible to lower the sink at the time of survey (23rd July 2024).
    • The ensuite has a wheel-in shower.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
    • There is no shower seat.
    • There is a ceiling track hoist that covers the majority of the ensuite.

Kitchen/Dining (Poplar Court - Flat 9)

  • The kitchen/dining area is located within Flat 9 of Poplar Court.
  • There is step-free level access into the kitchen/dining area.
  • There is a single automatic door with a medium visual contrast.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 84cm.
  • The height of the push pads for this door is 90cm.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • The work surface is 92cm from the floor.
  • A height adjustable work surface is available.
  • The lowered work surface is 92cm from the floor.
  • Overhead and under counter cupboards are available.
  • The hob is 92cm from the floor.
  • A height adjustable hob is available.
  • The lowered hob is 92cm from the floor.
  • The oven is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The sink is 92cm from the floor.
  • A height adjustable sink is available.
  • The lowered sink is 92cm from the floor.
  • The sink has a lever mixer tap.
  • Facilities within the kitchen include a fridge freezer, a microwave and a kettle.
  • Seating available in the kitchen includes: chairs without armrests.
  • 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 suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • The height adjustable counter was in its highest position at the time of survey (23rd July 2024).