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Freemen's Common Cottages

University of Leicester, 161 Welford Road, Leicester, LE2 6BF

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building off Freemen's Common is step-free via slight slopes that bypass steps.
  • The building can also be accessed off Welford Road which has a slight gradient along it.
  • The approach to Freemen's Common is step-free via a long slight ramp which bypasses steps
  • There are two sets of steps which can be used one of which has 10 steps the other 12 steps. .
  • There are two entrances to the building, one off Freemen's Common and one off Welford Road both of which have automatic doors which lead into the ground floor.
  • The Freemen's Common entrance has a slight slope which bypasses steps on approach to reach Freemen's Common.
  • The Welford Road entrance has a slight slope bypassing steps on entering the building and a slight slope along Welford Road on approach.
  • The entrances are clearly signed.
  • The entrance off Welford road has an automatic door operated by push pad that opens towards you. After entering the building there is a slight ramp bypassing three 16cm steps. .

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the building on all floors.
  • To access the raised seating area on the ground floor there is a slight ramp with no handrails to bypass two 12cm steps.
  • There is a steep slope on the ground floor to access the Study Spaces, lift, standard and toilets with adaptations and Prayer Rooms.
  • Floor surfaces along some circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • Other floor surfaces are carpeted.
  • There are resting area in the lobby on the ground floor with a mixture of seating.
  • Overhead and wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground and first floors.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • The shared step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the first floor.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Freemen's Common Entrance)

  • 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 level access at the entrance.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 115cm.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 116cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 116cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.

Reception

  • The reception is located to your right on entrance, via the Freemen's Common entrance.
  • The distance from the Freemen's Commons entrance is 10m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 110cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • The reception has windows and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • 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.
  • 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: sofas.
  • The chairs are fixed.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located towards the rear left of the building.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the Freemen's Common entrance is 30m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has steep ramps or slopes.
  • The ground 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 weight limit for the lift is 400kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high 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 110cm (width) x 150cm (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: an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is a steep ramp in front of the lift on the ground floor only.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located towards the rear of the building.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • The ground floor and the first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers 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 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located towards the rear of the building on the ground floor.
    • The distance from the Freemen's Common entrance is 40m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a steep ramp or slope 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 85cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • 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 270cm (width) x 205cm (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 200cm (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 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 visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 66cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 75cm 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 cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 95cm 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 105cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf meets the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 104cm and 140cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.