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Wearside View

University of Sunderland, Sir Tom Cowie Campus, Charles Street, Sunderland, SR6 0AN

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via slight and steep slopes.
  • Wearside View has one entrance.
  • The entrance is located off Charles Street and provides access via a steep slope.
  • The entrance is signed as Wearside View.
  • The entrance provides step-free access to the circulation area on Level 0.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all levels.
  • Floor surfaces on all floors are short pile carpet tiles.
  • There are resting areas in all circulation areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are not manual doors in any circulation corridors, only to access stairwells.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on Levels 0, 1 and 2 along the short corridor before the lift.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on Levels 0, 1 and 2 along the short corridor before the lift.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located on Level 0 along the short corridor before the lift.

Rooms and Services in the Building

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

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, off Charles Street.
  • 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 slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a steep gradient.
  • The slope bypasses the steps.
  • There are 6 steps with no handrails.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • 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 is a key fob/card reader at a height of 110cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 140cm.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 112cm.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 141cm.
  • The second set of doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Seating Area

  • Location and Access View
    • The seating area is located on Level 0 at the rear of the building, ahead from the Charles Street entrance.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There are double automatic doors with a low visual contrast.
    • The doors open away from you.
    • The width of the opening is 152cm.
  • 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, armchairs, sofas, benches and high stools.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables, coffee tables, high tables, long tables and booths.
    • Some chairs and 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 use of large glazed walls.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead from the Charles Street entrance.
  • The distance from the Charles Street entrance is 25m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Levels 0, 1 and 2 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 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 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 106cm (width) x 143cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift 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 and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead from the Charles Street entrance on the left.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • Levels 1, 2 and 3 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps have low visual contrast markings and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover 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, with unshaded light sources.

Shower with Adaptations (Level 0)

  • Location and Access View
    • The shower surveyed is located on level 0 ahead from the Charles Street entrance then right before the lift.
    • The distance from the Charles Street entrance is 30m.
    • The most accessible route to the shower has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm.
    • 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
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head.
    • The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 44cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails and dropdown rails for the shower.
    • The grab rails have varying visual contrasts.
    • The dropdown rails have varying visual contrasts.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The facility has no disposal facilities.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 180cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 1 - Gender Neutral - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on Level 1 to the left from the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 10m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • 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 lever 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 176cm (width) x 220cm (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 93cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula 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 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 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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 109cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 69cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 99cm 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 80cm 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 have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.