Venue Information
For further information on getting to the Homerton College, Cambridge please use the following links...
Getting to Cambridge (149kb, PDF)- Getting to Homerton College (179kb, PDF)
- For more detailed travel information please see the Homerton College web site
Campus map
Disability Access Report
Inspected and report prepared by Gina Hardesty, March 2008
Disabililty Access Report (PDF file, 23kb)
Blue Badge Parking Bays
There are a total of eight parking spaces for blue badge holders on the campus. Four close to the accommodation block West House, three more to the side of the college in the main parking area with reasonably easy access via a foot path (which is wheelchair accessible) to the accommodation block and porters lodge inside the Mary Allen Building. A further Space is available on entering the college in the small car park at the front. Further spaces can be made available if notice is given at the time of booking so that they can be correctly reserved. If disabled people are travelling with carers they can also use the car parks near the accommodation blocks to drop off luggage and passengers, and then park their cars in the main car parks to the side of the college. There is a short walk from these car parks back to the campus.
Most walkways around the college are smooth and paved. There are some slight slopes and inclines to the rear of the site which proved to be a barrier for my wheelchair, but there is a ramp available. All the main buildings are sited around a square lawn and are within easy reach and view of each other. There is a paved level footpath around the perimeter of the lawn which allows easy access for wheelchair users to and from buildings.
Accommodation
External doors leading to the accommodation in West House open outwards with the use of an electronic key fob. The electric doors electronically open towards you. Once through the double outer doors there is a double set of inner doors which open towards you but have to be pulled manually. This can prove to be a difficult system for wheelchair users especially those who are entering the building alone. There is also a metal lip on the threshold of the outer main doors which presents a slight barrier to get a manual wheelchair over if alone.
Once inside the building it is very spacious with seats placed along the lower floor which allow for resting places for people with mobility impairments. Corridors are nice and wide and allow ample room for manoeuvring wheelchairs (larger models may still need to take care). There are two lifts in this building which have enough room for larger models of wheelchair and some scooters. There are no ground floor accessible rooms in West House but there are some accessible rooms on other floors available. This accommodation is for single occupancy only; there are no double rooms for anyone on the entire campus. Therefore if anyone needs to be close by to their personal assistant or carer then they must request that at the time of booking as they will be able to be allocated a room next door. All accessible rooms have an accessible toilet and shower which although small is accessible. A wheelchair can fit and turn in the bathroom, and a person can transfer to and from the wheelchair to shower/toilet.
The Great Hall
Meals will be served in the Great Hall. Access to the hall is fine, however the set up of the dining hall is so that the tables are laid out in long rows leading away from the entrance. This presents a barrier for disabled people and wheelchair users to be able to access seats at tables further towards the back end of the Hall. The staged area also has tables and although it can be ramped will have a similar problem.
There is an accessible toilet available just down the corridor from the dining hall on the right hand side.
Combination Room
Access to this room can be found via the corridor by leaving the great hall and crossing the lobby. This space is very accessible and wheelchair friendly. There is another accessible toilet a short walk down the corridor which runs parallel to the combination room. Please be advised there is a slight slope back from the combination room to the dining room in the hallway.
Buttery/Bar
This can be found on the left at the end of the corridor after leaving the dining room. This is an accessible space with free moving tables and chairs. The bar is quite high but it is possible to access one side of it for service, staff will also assist people to get drinks etc if they need it. There are some double doors to the left which are used as a fire exit but are sometimes open in the summer. Wheelchair users are to take care when exiting these doors as there is a large metal lip on the threshold which presents a difficulty. However it is accessible as long as one approaches it with care.
Mary Allen Building
This building houses the porters lodge. There are double doors from the outside leading from the accommodation block and great hall. These doors are a barrier to wheelchair users as this entrance is on a slight slope and the doors open outwards as well as being quite heavy. There is a central lift that accesses all levels. There are accessible toilets on all floors and all training and seminar rooms are accessible and fully equipped.
Bouland Room
This is very accessible room. There's good lighting and it's very spacious.
Main Auditorium
A reasonably spacious room with all seating on one level.