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The Reg Vardy Centre

University of Sunderland, Sir Tom Cowie Campus, St Peter's Way, Sunderland, SR6 0DD

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach from the West car park to the St Peter's Way entrance is step-free via very slight slopes.
  • The step-free approach to the building from St Peter's Way is via a ramp with a very slight gradient.
  • The Reg Vardy Centre has two entrances.
  • St Peter's Way entrance provides step-free access to level 2. This entrance has double automatic doors operated by key card.
  • The University Square entrance provides step-free access from the building car park via a slight slope
  • This entrance has double automatic doors operated by push pad or key card.
  • The St Peter's Way entrance is signed as The Reg Vardy Centre.
  • The University Square entrance is signed as the Faculty of Business and Technology.
  • The St Peter's Way entrance step-free level access to level 2 rooms and the Atrium.
  • The University Square entrance gives step-free level access to level 1 rooms.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all levels.
  • Floor surfaces along all routes are short pile carpet tiles.
  • There are some resting areas on levels 1 and 2 in circulation and seating areas, with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors in some circulation areas leading to some of the rooms.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 8 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 within the male and female toilets.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • All the female toilets with adaptions are right hand transfer, and all the male are left hand transfer.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 at the front of the building.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking (Building Parking - Reg Vardy Centre)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the rear right corner of The Reg Vardy Centre.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac and block paving.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted and have markings which are faded.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 220cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 110cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 45m from the University Square entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access, uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Parking (Site/Campus West Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located between the Reg Vardy Centre and Wearside View.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 12 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 440cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 55m from the St Peter's Way entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy ramp or slope.
    • The nearest designated bay is 140m from Charles Street entrance to Wearside View.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff, students, visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
    • Payment is made online or using the JustPark mobile phone app.
    • Only University registered Blue Badge holders are entitled to free parking.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (St Peter's Way Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of The Reg Vardy Centre on level 2.
  • 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 a very easy ramp at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 94cm.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 87cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 147cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 113cm.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 138cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (University Square Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the rear of The Reg Vardy Centre on level 1.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 100cm.
  • The width of the opening is 135cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 100cm.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 153cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 100cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located on level 2 to the left from the St Peter's Way entrance.
  • The distance from the St Peter's Way entrance is 7m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 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 weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 79cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 107cm (width) x 149cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a low visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead from the main entrance on level 2.
  • Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 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 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 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, with unshaded light sources.

Eating and Drinking (Reg Vardy café)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Reg Vardy café is located on level 2 of the building ahead from the St Peter's Way entrance.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • The width of the opening is 270cm.
  • Service View
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
    • Full table service is available on request only.
    • Menus are handheld and wall-mounted.
    • The following are available: drinking straws and takeaway cups.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The service counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located to on the left side of the café.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 86cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is 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 visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and sofas.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and coffee tables.
    • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Seating Area (Level 2 Atrium)

  • Location and Access View
    • The seating area is located on level 2 in the Atrium, ahead and to the right from the St Peter's Way entrance.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • The width of the opening is 141cm.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Some flooring is patterned.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests, sofas, riser recliner chairs, benches and stools.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables, coffee tables and desks.
    • Some tables are fixed.
    • 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 may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 2 - Female - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on level 2 to the right from the St Peter's Way entrance.
    • The distance from the St Peter's Way entrance is 15m.
    • 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 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 87cm.
    • 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 165cm (width) x 201cm (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 97cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • 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 93cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 114cm 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 73cm 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 are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.