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Rutherford Extension

University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NX

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free level.
  • The Rutherford Extension has three entrances. The main entrance provides access to the ground floor via a ramp and a single automatic door. Both rear entrances provides step-free level access via single push pad activated automatic doors.
  • All three entrances are signed as Rutherford Extension.
  • The Accessible entrance provides step-free level access to the lower ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access via lift throughout the building.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are carpeted.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located immediately to the right after the main entrance.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the lower ground floor.
    • The shared step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor.

Parking (Rutherford Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Darwin Road and outside Rutherford College and Annexe.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 220cm (width) x 450cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 50m from the rear entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access, a very easy ramp or slope and bollards.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders, permit holders, staff permit holders and student permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available.

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is 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 between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 5 steps with 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 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 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 105cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 108cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 101cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (Rear)

  • 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 step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 102cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 102cm.
  • The width of the opening is 86cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 109cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located ahead from the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 5m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 109cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 74cm.
  • The reception has windows.
  • 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 some 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: sofas.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located on the staircase to the right from the main entrance.
  • This lift is a stair lift.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 5m.
  • the ground and the lower ground floors are accessed by this lift.
  • 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 low visual contrast.
  • It was not possible to fully survey this facility as at the time of our visit (February 2026) the lift was out of order.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right after the main entrance.
  • the ground and lower ground floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 16 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is not easy to grip.
  • 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 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located immediately to the right after the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 1m.
    • 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 inwards automatically via a push pad and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
    • 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 151cm (width) x 298cm (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, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 85cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a wall sensor flush on the non-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 high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high 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 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 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a sensor 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 90cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 90cm from the floor.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 174cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.