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University of Manchester Students' Union

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

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • The University of Manchester Students' Union has four entrances, one entrance at the rear provides sloped access (accessible entrance).
    The accessible entrance has automatic doors.
    The left and right entrances have manual doors.
    The front entrance has an automatic door and manual doors at either side of the automatic door.
  • The entrances are signed with the building name.
  • The accessible entrance gives access to the basement level.
  • The front entrance is stepped/ramped access via a steep ramp.
    The side entrances are stepped with manual doors and are unnamed.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building.
  • There are ramps and steps in Club Academy in the Basement.
  • There are some floor surfaces which are patterned or have a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 5 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the Basement, Ground, 1 and 2 floor.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on floors 1 and 2..
    • The gender inclusive toilet facilities are located on the Basement, Ground and 2 floor..
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the accessible toilet in the Basement.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located on floor 1.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Accessible)

  • This entrance is located at the rear of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is ramped and stepped access at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 8 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 between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key pad at a height of 80cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 85cm.
  • The width of the opening is 170cm.
  • 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 114cm.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors .
  • The second set of doors opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 210cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.

Reception

  • The reception is located on the ground floor.
  • The distance from lift is 11m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has manual doors.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 107cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 77cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens and a television.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
  • Some chairs and tables are fixed.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located on the left as you enter through the accessible entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 2m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The Basement, Ground, 1 and 2 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 tactile markings and 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 100cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 145cm (width) x 115cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a medium visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • 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, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the right of the building.
  • Floors Basement, Ground, 1 and 2 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have low visual contrast markings and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • 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 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.

Toilet with Adaptations (Basement - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the Basement, along the corridor, on the right from the accessible entrance.
    • The distance from accessible entrance is 25m.
    • 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 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 90cm.
    • The door has a 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 186cm (width) x 230cm (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 125cm (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 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 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 high colour 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 71cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 96cm 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 90cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 104cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 92cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor on the right of 532 Bar and Kitchen.
    • The distance from the lift is 24m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has manual doors, a lift and 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 low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • 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 low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 147cm (width) x 217cm (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 65cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a medium 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 46cm 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 colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 86cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 102cm 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 within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 107cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.