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Sheavyn House

The University of Manchester, Old Hall Lane, Fallowfield, Manchester, M14 6HP

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Access Guide

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Accommodation Overview

  • About View
    • Sheavyn House is located on the Fallowfield Campus, off Whitworth Lane.
    • It is made up of Darbishire, Alexander and Stephen Blocks.
      The accommodation block surveyed was Darbishire.
    • The accommodation blocks all have 4 floors.
    • Sheavyn House is made up of around 234 bedrooms and 8 bedsits.
    • There are 4 rooms with adaptations.
    • These rooms are located on the ground floor of the Darbishire Block and Stephen Block.
    • All rooms with adaptations have an ensuite with a wheel-in shower.
    • Standard accommodation has ensuites with stepped shower cubicles and shared bathrooms with baths.
    • Kitchen and dining facilities are available on all floors of the accommodation blocks.
      Laundry facilities are available on the ground floor of Darbishire Block.
      There is a study zone on the ground floor of Darbishire Block.
      There is also a common room on the first floor of Darbishire Block.
    • The building was undergoing extensive renovation at the time of survey in July 2024.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Related Access Guides View

Getting Inside

  • The paths leading to all accommodation blocks are step-free with some slight gradients.
  • All accommodation blocks have a main entrance with manual doors and a slight slope.
  • The entrances are all signed with the block name and flat numbers.
  • The Darbishire Block Entrance provides step-free level access to the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the blocks on the ground floor.
    There is stepped access throughout the blocks on the first to third floors.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes in Sheavyn House are carpeted and smooth.
  • There are no resting areas along circulation routes within Sheavyn House.
  • Wayfinding signage is limited in the buildings.
  • There are manual doors in each block to access the stairwell and individual flats.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the ground floor of Darbishire Block.
    • The toilet with adaptations has no transfer space available.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of Sheavyn House.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays have faded markings.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 330cm (width) x 580cm (depth).
    • There are no hatched/marked zones.
    • The nearest designated bay is 8m from Darbishire Block Entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight ramps or slopes.
    • There is no dropped kerb from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for permit holders only.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Darbishire Block Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the Darbishire Block.
  • 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.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There is a bell at a height of 140cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 130cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Stairs (Darbishire Block)

  • The stairs surveyed are located immediately to the right as you enter the Darbishire Block Entrance.
  • Floors G, 1, 2, 3 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 14 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers 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 not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Bedroom with Adaptations (Flat A - Room 1)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bedroom surveyed is located to the left as you enter Flat A, which is to the right as you enter the Darbishire Block.
    • The distance from Darbishire Block Entrance is 10m.
    • The most accessible route to the bedroom has step-free level access, manual doors and narrow walkways .
    • 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 81cm.
  • 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 29cm from the floor.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre next to the bed (150cm x 150cm).
    • The flooring consists of deep pile carpet.
    • The following is available in this bedroom: a desk and a flashing fire alarm.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • This bedroom does not have an adjoining room.

Ensuite with Adaptations (Flat A - Room 1)

  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the ensuite.
    • The ensuite door opens inwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The width of the door opening to the ensuite is 81cm.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the ensuite are 200cm (width) x 265cm (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 125cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 47cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 77cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever 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 full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The ensuite has no disposal facilities.
    • There are two coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 120cm and 120cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
    • 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 a shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails for the shower.
    • The shower grab rails have a high colour contrast.

Kitchen/Dining (Flat A)

  • The kitchen/dining area is located to the right as you enter Flat A, which is to the right as you enter the Darbishire Block Entrance.
  • There is step-free level access into the kitchen/dining area.
  • There is a single manual door with a medium visual contrast.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the opening is 80cm.
  • 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 93cm from the floor.
  • A height adjustable work surface is available.
  • Overhead and under counter cupboards are available.
  • The hob is 93cm from the floor.
  • A height adjustable hob is available.
  • The oven is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The sink is 93cm from the floor.
  • A height adjustable sink is available.
  • The sink has a lever tap.
  • Facilities within the kitchen include a fridge freezer, a microwave, a kettle and a toaster.
  • Seating available in the kitchen includes: chairs without armrests, benches and stools.
  • Furniture available in the kitchen includes: 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.

Communal Facilities

  • Common Room View
    • The common room is located on the First Floor of the Darbishire Block.
    • There is step-free level access into the common room.
    • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The width of the opening is 87cm.
    • 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.
    • Seating available in the kitchen includes: sofas and stools.
    • Furniture available in the kitchen includes: coffee tables.
    • The surface height of the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • Laundry Room View
    • The laundry room is located to the left as you enter the Darbishire Block Entrance.
    • 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 87cm.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • The flooring is patterned.
    • 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.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (No Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located ahead and to the right as you enter the Darbishire Block Entrance.
    • The distance from Darbishire Block Entrance is 10m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has narrow walkways, manual doors and step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens both ways and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • 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 146cm (width) x 252cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is not a lateral transfer space next to the toilet.
    • There is a lever flush for the toilet.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the right as you face the toilet.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the left as you face the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the left as you face the toilet.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 44cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 65cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high 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 98cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 89cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary 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.