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Essex House

University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QN

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Access Guide

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Overview

Disability Advice Contact Details

  • The Student Centre brings together student support services, including Disability Advice, who provide confidential, pre-booked appointments in-person or online on a range of issues.
  • They also run drop-in sessions, events and other activities throughout the year.
  • This service can be contacted:
  • by phone on 01273 075 700
  • by email on disabilityadvice@sussex.ac.uk
  • or via the Student Support Portal.
  • Further disability support information can be found on the Student Hub.

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via a slight slope.
  • Essex House has two entrances.
  • The accessible entrance provides step-free access via a slight slope to the reception foyer on the ground floor.
  • There are push pad activated, double doors at both entrances.
  • The entrances are both signed as Essex House School of Education and Social Work.
  • The front entrance is located off Arts Path and has stepped access, it also gives access to the ground floor.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the building on all floors.
  • On the ground floor there is a slight ramp in the corridor leading to Seminar Room 18 and Education Teaching Lab EH019.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are carpeted. There are tiles in the reception area.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors in some corridor and lobby areas.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground, first and second floors.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the ground, first and second floors.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations on the ground floor.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located on the ground floor and first floor.

Entrance (Accessible Entrance)

  • 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 access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 90cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 85cm.
  • The width of the opening is 150cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 116cm.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open towards you.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 92cm.
  • The width of the opening is 160cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 102cm.
  • The minimum width between the fixed barriers is 92cm.
  • The fixed barrier are before the first set of entrance doors.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the right from the accessible entrance.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 4m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 100cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 80cm.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Some 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: chairs with armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located in the centre of the building.
  • The distance from the accessible entrance is 18m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access, manual doors and automatic doors.
  • The ground, first and second 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 630kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have 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 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 106cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs (Ground Floor to Second Floor)

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the right hand side of the building.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The ground, first and second floor 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 not 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Stairs (Ground Floor to First Floor)

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left of the reception desk.
  • There is a single manual door to access the stairwell.
  • The ground and first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20 steps between floors.
  • The steps have low visual contrast markings and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is not easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • 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 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the right hand side of the building on the ground floor.
    • The distance from the accessible entrance is 28m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, manual doors and automatic 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 93cm.
    • 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 190cm (width) x 222cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 135cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the non-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 42cm 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 112cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 70cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a push tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has 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 medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 89cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 107cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 98cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.