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The Students’ Union Building

University of Aberdeen, Elphinstone Road, Aberdeen, AB24 3TU

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is sloped.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • The most accessible entrance surveyed was the main entrance.
  • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of The Students' Union Building.
  • There is step-free access via a steep slope at the most accessible entrance.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access between floors via lift.
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Circulation View
    • Doors are held open along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include narrow walkways, pillars and moveable physical obstructions.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along circulation routes.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • There may be background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signage is consistent throughout.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: sofas.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations are located on the ground and first floor.
    • The transfer space varies between toilets with adaptations.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the ground, first and second floors.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

ATMs

  • There is one ATM.
  • The ATM is located to the left of the entrance on the outside of the building.
  • The ATM is clearly signed.
  • The approach to the ATM has uneven surfaces and a slope.
  • This ATM is a Talking ATM.
  • Headphones for the ATM cannot be provided.
  • This is a cash withdrawal ATM.
  • The height of the ATM features vary between 85cm and 125cm.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a slope at the entrance.
  • The slope gradient varies between slight and steep.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 136cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 148cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.

Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located ahead as you enter the building.
    • The distance from the entrance is 4m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 104cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 74cm.
    • The reception has a television which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Games Room

  • The room is located at the rear of the building on the ground floor.
  • The distance from the building entrance is 40m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 83cm.
  • The door has a low colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs without armrests and sofas.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: tables.
  • Some of the tables are fixed.
  • The surface height of some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a television.
  • There may be background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • There is a pool table that is 84cm high.
  • Floor level cabling from equipment may present a trip hazard.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located in the central area of the ground floor.
  • The distance from the building entrance is 8m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • The ground, first and second floor can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 1000kg.
    • The control buttons have a low colour 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 150cm (width) x 149cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
    • The lift has a separate door to exit.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs (A)

  • The stairs are located on the left side of the building.
  • The ground, first and second floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are permanently held open doors to access the stairwell.
  • There are 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 steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm-45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Stairs (B)

  • The stairs are located on the right side of the building.
  • The ground and first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • There are 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 steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm-45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor.
    • The distance from the lift is 3m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial, written text and numbered signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The width of the opening is 89cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a high colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 154cm (width) x 216cm (depth).
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 84cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 86cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 71cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour 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 high colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 88cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a long 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 colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.