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The Academy

The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • The step-free approach to the building is from along Oxford Street.
  • There are 2 similar entrances into the building arranged as 3 sets of manual double doors around a common entrance atrium. The doors are usually permanently held open prior to performances.
  • The entrances are not named or signed.
  • The entrances provide step-free level access to the reception foyer on the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the building on all floors.
  • There is a long slope with a steep gradient in the backstage area between the ground floor and the rear left of the stage.
  • There is restricted access to the backstage areas on the ground floor.
    There is restricted access to the viewing balcony, and the dressing room areas on the first floor.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
    The floor surface in the main hall has a very shiny finish.
  • There is limited seating available within the Balcony Bar on the first floor.
    Seating for the viewing balcony may be provided on request, and at the discretion of staff.
  • Wayfinding signage is very limited in this building.
    The signage does vary in terms of type, font and colour.
  • There are manual doors between the entrance foyer and the main performance hall.
    There are push pad operated automatic doors to access the viewing balcony on the first floor.
    There are manual doors in circulation areas on the first floor in the dressing rooms area.
    There are some manual doors to access stairwells and corridors.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor and on the first floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations on the ground floor has a transfer space on the left-hand side.
      There is a toilet with adaptations on the first floor within the Balcony Bar area with a transfer space on the right-hand side.
      There is a shelf within this toilet with adaptations.
      There is a toilet with adaptations on the first floor within one of the dressing rooms with a transfer space on the right-hand side.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located on the ground floor within the female and male standard toilets.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located on the first floor within the dressing rooms.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on the first floor within the toilet with adaptations off the Balcony Bar.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located on the first floor within one of the dressing rooms.
    • Standard shower facilities are located on the first floor within the dressing rooms.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance

  • This entrance is located on the right of the building facing away from Oxford Road.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 188cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Counter (Box Office)

  • The counter is located on the right after the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 4m.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 75cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • The counter has windows.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • There is a service counter to the right of this counter with a surface height of 92cm.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event .
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There are also external box office counters outside the main entrance, to the rear of the entrance atrium.
    The external counters are at a surface height of 83cm above the ground.
    There is an intercom at the external counters 133cm above the ground.
    There are clearly signed hearing assistance systems at the external counters.
    The hearing assistance systems at the external counters could not be tested at the time of survey.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located on the right after the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 17m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground floor and the first floor 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 a medium visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 108cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All 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, with unshaded light sources.
  • There is a similar lift to the rear right of the building in the staff and performers area.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the right after the main entrance.
  • The ground and the first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ 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 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 were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There is another staircase to the rear right of the building in the staff and performers area.
    There is a further staircase to rear left of building in the backstage area.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the right after the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 12m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile, 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 locking handle.
    • 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 180cm (width) x 225cm (depth) and there is 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 111cm (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 high visual contrast.
    • 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 47cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • 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 97cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 80cm 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 high 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 103cm 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 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 92cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Dressing Room - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located within a dressing room on the first floor.
    • The distance from the lift is 45m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • 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 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 270cm (width) x 250cm (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 185cm (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 low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 49cm 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 98cm 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 push tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 85cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 171cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
    • There is a wheel-in shower within the facility.
    • There is an adjustable shower head.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There are grab rails and a dropdown rail for the shower.
    • The grab rails have a low visual contrast.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is not a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower.
    • There is a flip down seat which is 53cm high.