West Court accessibility - reception, meeting and conference rooms
West Court contains the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½Ó¿Ú conference centre and meetings rooms. It is in the southwest of the site, with step free access from the West Court entrance on Jesus Lane, or internally from the Orchard, via the corridors next to the Roost Café Bar.
If you are a conference guest, you can also visit the conference room information for the individual rooms in West Court: Bain Room, Bawden Room, Frankopan Hall, Fulburn Room, Radegund Hall.
Location
West Court is in the southwest corner of the site. It can be accessed from the Orchard, via either of the doors to the side of the Roost Café or from the West Court entrance on Jesus Lane.
Entrance access
West Court entrance: The pedestrian entrance to West Court from Jesus Lane has step-free access with two sets of automatic double-doors. The width of the first pair of doors is 147cm, the second set is 149cm. There is a small lip at the threshold of 2cm on both doors and a small slope with an easy incline. There is a recess providing weather protection. The entrance doors contrast visually with the immediate surroundings.
Approach from the Orchard: Access from the Orchard is via either of the two corridors either side of the Roost Café. See the Webb Library accessibility for details about using this access.
Inside the building
Circulation:
There is step-free access throughout the majority of the building via the lift, with the exception of the Bain Room, which has stepped access. There are doors in corridors and walkways that must be opened manually. Some corridors and walkways have a surface width of less than 120cm. The flooring in the corridors and walkways is tile, with some areas featuring patterns or colours that could be confusing or resemble steps or holes to some individuals. Certain sections of the flooring are shiny, which might cause glare or appear slippery to some people. There is poor colour contrast between the walls and floors in most corridors and walkways. Bench seating and single seats without armrests are available at regular intervals. The lighting levels in the corridors and walkways are varied.
Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building, and the colour, design, and typeface of the signs are consistent. The venue does not play background music in communal areas, and there is no hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.
Lift:
The lift is located to the right as you enter via West Entrance and is clearly visible from there, being approximately 4 meters away. It is a standard lift that does not require staff notification for use. The lift provides access to floors G, 1, and 2, with a weight limit of 630kg. There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm by 150cm in front of the lift. The lift doors contrast visually with the lift lobby walls, and the external controls are positioned within 90cm to 110cm from the floor with good colour contrast between the controls, control plate, and wall. The clear door width is 99cm, and the lift dimensions are 105cm by 135cm. The lift does not have separate entry and exit doors but includes a mirror to aid in reversing out. Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are present on the lift lobby landings. Inside the lift, a list of floor services is available along with a visual floor indicator, but there is no audible announcer. The internal controls are within 90cm to 120cm from the floor, and the lift has tactile but not Braille markings. There is no hearing loop system in the lift. The lighting levels in the lift are good.
Stairs:
The stairs are located to the left as you enter via West Entrance and are approximately 4 meters from the entrance, clearly visible from there. There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on the second floor. The stairs provide access to floors G, 1, and 2, with more than 15 steps between each floor. The step height is between the recommended 15cm and 18cm, but the step depth does not meet the recommended 30cm to 45cm. The steps are not clearly marked. Handrails are present on both sides of the steps and are at the recommended height of 90cm to 100cm. These handrails cover the entire flight of stairs, are easy to grip, and extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps. The lighting levels at the steps are low to moderate. There is a similar additional set of stairs located ahead and to the right as you enter (opposite the accessible toilet) that provides access to the first floor only.
The reception point is located ahead and to the left as you enter, approximately 4m from West Entrance. It is clearly visible from the entrance, with step-free access and a clear, unobstructed route. There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens, or mirrors at or behind the reception point that could hinder lip reading. The reception counter is not set against a patterned background, and lighting levels are moderate to good. The counter height is 122cm, providing sufficient space to write or sign documents. There is a lowered section of the counter at 75cm in height, but it does not offer enough space for writing or signing documents, and there is no clear knee recess beneath it. The counter is staffed, but there is no hearing assistance system available at the reception. There is a waiting area close to the reception point with unobstructed access. The waiting area is furnished with sofas, and there is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to comfortably use the area.
Step free access to the room can be obtained via the ground floor, with two sets of single doors (with locked extension leaves) at the front and rear and opening widths of 75cm or more. However, the doors for the room are not push pad activated. The corridor outside the room is wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass freely.
There is step-free access to the speaker's area at the front. The lectern is height adjustable, ranging between recommended heights of 80cm and 110cm at its lowest part.
A hearing assistance system is available in the room. There are no visual fire alarm beacons in the room.
The room has two sets of movable terraced setting. Access to the first row of seats is via two steps, the final row of seat is up 19 steps. The steps measure 15cm in height and 30cm in depth and there is no handrail. For some events the terrace seating is stored out of sight. If it is in use, step free seating or space for wheelchair users can be provided, please contact the conferencing team in advance. Other furniture in the room is not fixed. The clear floor space beneath tables in the room is 66cm. Chairs with armrests on both sides are available within the room. The room has an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm, with even floor coverings and no trip hazards.
The room contains a the balcony area, consisting of padded bench seats not fixed to the floor. This setup allows space to be created for a wheelchair user if needed. Step free access to the balcony area is via the first floor of West Court using the main lift in the lobby.
You can also view a .
Signage for the room is displayed in upper and lower case lettering on or near the door. The corridor outside the room provides ample space (150cm+) for wheelchair users to pass without obstruction. Step-free access is available from the corridor into the room, with door opening widths of 75cm or more. The door for the room is not push pad activated.
A hearing assistance system is available upon request from the Porters' Lodge. There are no visual fire alarm beacons in the room.
There is no fixed furniture within the room. The clear floor space beneath tables in the room measures 70cm. There are no chairs with armrests on both sides. The room offer an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm, with even floor coverings and no trip hazards.
Access to the Bawden Room can also be gained through a second door from the West Court courtyard entrance. However, note that there is a steep slope leading to the West Court courtyard entrance.
You can also view a of the Bawden Room.
Signage for the room is clearly presented in upper and lower case lettering on or near the door. The corridor outside the room provides ample width (150cm+) for wheelchair users to pass unimpeded. Step-free access is available from the corridor into the room, with door opening widths of 75cm or more. The door for the room is not push pad activated.
A hearing assistance system is available upon request from the Porters' Lodge. There are no visual fire alarm beacons in the room.
There is no fixed furniture within the room. The clear floor space beneath tables in the room measures 69cm. There are no chairs with armrests on both sides. Chairs with armrests on both sides are available within the room. The room does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm, but furniture can be rearranged to accommodate wheelchair users. The floor coverings in the room is even, without any trip hazards.
You can also view a of the Fulburn Room.
There is not step-free access from the corridor. Access to the room involves navigating a slight ramp, which measures 75cm in width but lacks handrails. The ramp does not bypass the 9 steps which are 11cm - 17cm in height leading to the room. These steps are clearly marked and equipped with a handrail on the left side for assistance.
Signage for the room is clearly displayed in upper and lower case lettering near the door. The corridor outside the room falls short of the required width (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass. Although the door opening width meets the required 75cm+, the door for the room is not push pad activated.
A hearing assistance system is available upon request. There is no visual fire alarm beacon within the room.
The floor coverings are uneven, potentially posing a tripping hazard. Wiring within the room may also present a trip hazard. The room offer a clear floor space beneath tables measuring 69cm. There are no chairs with armrests on both sides. The room has an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm. A small kitchen area with a counter height of 91cm is available for use.
You can also view a of the Bain Room.
The entrance is clearly marked with signage. Step-free access is available at this entrance, and the door stands out visually from its surroundings.
The door is single width, heavy and with an opening of 84cm. The door opens by pushing away from you.
There is plenty of space for wheelchair users to manoeuvre comfortably. The flooring in this area consists of wood, and some sections feature shiny surfaces that may cause glare or appear slippery to certain individuals. The lighting levels are good.
Meals at West Court events are often served in the Radegund Hall. Food and drink can be ordered at the counter, and staff are available to bring orders to tables. Menu options are displayed on written wall menus, which are clearly written and presented in contrasting colours. Staff can assist customers by reading menus if needed. Takeaway cups, adapted cups, adapted cutlery, and drinking straws are not provided. Background music is not played in this area, and there is no hearing assistance system available. The service counter has a height of 90cm.
You can also view a of Radegund Hall.
Closest toilets
For detailed information about the facilities in each accessible toilet, see Accessible toilets.
The closest accessible toilet can be found on the ground floor, to the right as you enter the West Court entrance.
The closest standard toilets are in the same location.
