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Whitworth Park - Grove House

The University of Manchester, 316 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9NG

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The paths leading to all accommodation buildings are ramped/sloped or stepped.
  • Entrances into all blocks within Whitworth Park are via steps.
  • There is one main entrance with manual doors to each accommodation block.
  • Grove House has a reception entrance giving access to the communal facilities for Whitworth Park halls of residence and reception.
    Access to Grove House reception entrance is via ramps or steps.
  • The entrances do not have signage other than the building name.

Getting Around

  • There is stepped access into and around all blocks within Whitworth Park.
  • There are 3 clearly marked steps within the computer room on the first floor.
  • Access to the squash courts in the basement is via 3 not clearly marked steps without a handrail.
    The doors to the squash courts are single, manual and open away from you.
  • There is a music room and ResLife room located on the first floor to the right at the top of the Reception stairs.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth. Some flooring has a shiny finish and some flooring is carpeted.
  • There is some seating in circulation and in the reception.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the buildings.
  • There are manual doors in circulation areas.
    There is an Amazon locker located on the left after entering via the Grove House reception entrance.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on the first floor within the computer room and opposite the music room.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located in the basement, opposite The Grove.
    • The shared toilet facilities are located in the basement, opposite The Grove.

Entrance (Grove House - Reception)

  • This entrance is located to the side of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and a bollard.
  • 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 ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • The ramp bypasses the step.
  • There is 1 step with no handrails.
  • The step is clearly marked.
  • The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 84cm.
  • 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.
  • There are two other slight ramps or steps on the approach prior to the ones detailed near the entrance.

Reception (Whitworth Park/Grove House)

  • The reception is located to the right at the end of the corridor from the reception entrance.
  • The distance from reception entrance is 25m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has manual doors.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 116cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 70cm.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is not 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: armchairs.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Stairs (Grove House - Reception entrance)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left from the Grove House - Reception entrance.
  • The basement, ground floor and first floor 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 not 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 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • These stairs access the gym, computer room, standard toilets, squash courts, laundry room and bar.

Stairs (Grove House - Reception)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right before the reception.
  • The ground floor and 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 not 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 not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 20cm.
  • 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.
  • These stairs access the music room, standard toilets and ResLife room.

Communal Facilities

  • Laundry Room View
    • The laundry room is located in the basement of Grove House, to the right at the bottom of the stairs.
    • There is stepped 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 76cm.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Gym

  • The gym is located on the first floor of Grove House, to the right at the top of the Grove House - Reception entrance stairs.
  • There is stepped access into the gym.
  • There are 9 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 clearly marked.
  • 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.
  • There are not handrails for the second set of 3 steps.
  • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 164cm.
  • There is a card reader on the door handle.
    The height is 110cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: free weights area.
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The gym is not staffed.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • There is not clear manoeuvring space between equipment (150cm x 150cm).
  • Equipment includes free weights and cable resistance machines.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Eating and Drinking (The Grove)

  • Location and Service View
    • The Grove is located in the basement of Grove House, to the left at the bottom of the stairs.
    • The most accessible route has steps and manual doors.
    • This area has a bar where drinks can be ordered, staff who can provide assistance with ordering and numerous seating options.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • Menus are wall-mounted, available on a board and displayed on the counter.
    • The following are available: drinking straws and takeaway cups.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The payment counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located to the left after entering The Grove.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 110cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • The following areas have stepped access: pool tables to the rear of the bar.
    • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, sofas, stools and high stools.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables, coffee tables and high tables.
    • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.