Augustine House
Information for Disabled People
Augustine House is a brand new Library and student services
centre that has been built to provide students with an improved
range of learning opportunities, including state-of-the-art IT
facilities and creative learning spaces.
Personal Safety
Car Parking and Travel
Facilities and Services provided in Augustine
House
Entrances and Exits
Access to upper floors
Toilet facilities
The Library
Computing
Furniture
Refreshment facilities
Specific provision for visually impaired
people
Specific provision for hearing impaired
people
Accessing individual support
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Personal Safety
Augustine House has
been designed to ensure that all staff, students and visitors
are able to exit the building very quickly in the unlikely event
of a fire or other emergency.
There are two evacuation lifts, which may be used in an emergency, unless instructions are given by designated staff not to do so at the time of any incident. Please see the building plan for location of these refuge areas and evacuation lifts. (insert hyperlink to plans).
Disabled users of the building, who may experience difficulties in exiting from Augustine House in the event of a fire or other emergency, will need to have their own individual emergency exit plan. Students should liaise with the Disability Advice Team via the i-Zone and staff should liaise with the Human Resources Department, to ensure that a plan is put in place for them. Equipment is available to assist disabled people such as Deaf Alerter and Refuge Alerter. Instructions in using these systems will be given as part of an individual’s exit plan. (insert hyperlink to Refuge Alerter flow chart).
Disabled visitors are asked to inform Reception if they have access requirements and to request information on emergency procedures as they enter the building.
Car Parking and Travel
Car
Parking
Disabled drivers or passengers holding a complete Blue Badge will be able to park at Augustine House. There are seven spaces located at the rear of the building, reached by driving down the road between Augustine and the Peugeot Garage. You will be able to leave your vehicle there for up to three hours; the spaces will be monitored by our Security and Care Takers to ensure that only bona fide Blue Badge holders use this facility. There is a controlled entrance into the building from the parking area, which you will be able to use by means of your Smart Card or by video link to request assistance from the Reception staff.
Nearest railway station and bus stops
Canterbury East railway station is approximately 500 metres from Augustine House in the London direction, with trains serving London Victoria, via Faversham, Sittingbourne and Medway, and down to Dover. There is a taxi rank immediately outside the station entrance.
Canterbury West railway stations is situated on the Whitstable side of Canterbury, which involves a fairly long walk (1.5 km) through the town centre. Those with restricted mobility may want to consider taking a taxi from immediately outside this station’s main entrance to Augustine House.
The Bus Station is situated within the city walls on the other side of the ring road from Augustine House, approximately 300 metres away, via an underpass. Wheelchair users should note the steeply ramped entrances into the underpass from Augustine to the Bus Station side of Rhodaus Town.
Shuttle Bus
A free, accessible mini bus serves the route from the Old Sessions House on the North Holmes Road site, to the Augustine House drop off zone at the rear of the building, continuing on to Hall Place in Harbledown. Please follow this link to the Shuttle Bus timetable.
Other means of transport
Some disabled people may prefer to use either taxis or a mobility scooter to travel between the two main sites in Canterbury.
Facilities and services provided in
Augustine House
The new building brings
together a Library, Learning Centre and student services under
one roof, creating a convenient one-stop-shop for students.
The building is situated on the Canterbury ring road, on Rhodaus Town, next door to the Police Station. It is close to the Canterbury East railway station and to the main bus station, where the Park & Ride buses stop.
Opening times for the building will vary according to the facility or service you require. Please refer to the i-Zone for complete and up to date opening hours.
Accessibility issues have been high on the agenda since the inception of the building. The University has employed an access consultant to look at every aspect of the building and how it will be used, to ensure that the needs of disabled people are fully taken into account in the design and build of this flagship facility. Disabled staff and students have been involved in looking at plans and discussing specific aspects of how the building will be used.
Detailed information on accessibility and provision of facilities for disabled people is given in the sections below.
Entrances and Exits
The main entrance into the
building from Rhodaus Town is fully accessible. This leads
straight into the atrium area, where Reception and the i-Zone
are both located.
Drivers holding complete Blue Badges will be able to enter and exit at the rear of the building, having parked their car in one of the 7 reserved spaces. This entrance will be access controlled out of the core opening hours.
Disabled people may request assistance via video or voice link at the rear entrance.
Access to upper floors
Lifts are provided to the upper
floors, as well as stairs. The lifts hold 13 people and will
therefore be of sufficient size to transport large electric
wheelchairs.
Toilet facilities
Accessible toilet facilities
are provided on each floor, including an adapted WC and shower
on the ground floor.
Alarm cords are provided in all accessible facilities, with response provided by the Security Team.
Library
The Library is located over all four floors of the building. The
location of texts and other materials may be identified by using
the OPAC machines on each floor. There is an OPAC machine on at
least one height adjustable desk on each floor.
Library staff, who will be identifiable, will be available to
assist you on each floor. If you need help and cannot find a
member of staff who is free to help you, go to one of the phone
assistance points, and request a member of staff to come to you.
Individual inductions for disabled students are provided on an
individual basis in Augustine House on request. Contact the
Disability Advice Team via the i-zone to book your session.
Disabled staff should discuss this with their line manager.
The Library in Augustine House will operate a self return system
using equipment which involves physical manipulation of books.
If you find that this is not accessible for you, please contact
the Library staff for assistance.
Here are some FAQs regarding services for
disabled users within the Library
Will personal tours for
individual users with disabilities to discuss their needs be
possible?
Yes, the Disability Advice Team (contactable via the i-zone)
will arrange these for you in liaison with the Reader Services
section of the Library. All disabled students are entitled to a
personal tour of the new Library, including those beyond year 1.
Is coloured paper available?
Yes. Coloured paper will be held by Library staff, so just ask
at the Library help point on the ground floor, or contact them
by the assistance phones if you are on one of the upper floors.
Is there a Braille machine?
Yes. The Braille embosser is located on the ground floor and use
may be booked via the Disability Advice Team, contactable via
the i-zone.
Is there any assistive
software?
Yes. Text Help Read&Write and Inspiration software is provided
via terminal services, so users with a CCCU computing account
will see that it is available when they log on anywhere within
Augustine House. These packages are mainly for use by people
with specific learning difficulties, but are useful for all
students. Software to assist blind or visually impaired students
is available, i.e. JAWS and Supernova are available on a PC with
a large scanner, and should be booked via the Disability Advice
Team to ensure it is available when you require it.
If you require any assistance in using this software, please
contact the Disability Advice Team via the i-zone.
Are OPACs available that are
accessible by people with a visual impairment?
Yes. All the machines will have a zoom facility. Individuals
will be shown how to use this facility as part of their
induction into the Library
Is any other magnification
equipment available?
Yes. A CCTV will be provided on the ground floor. Training in
its use will be given to individual users as part of their
induction into the Library.
In addition all printer/copiers in the Library are able to
enlarge print matter. Assistance in doing this is provided via
the i-zone.
Will there be a scanner available?
Yes. All the printers are combined p/copier and scanner.
Are height adjustable desks available?
Yes. A height adjustable desk is available in each wing. Any
problems with the desks should be reported to Reception.
Are accessible toilets available?
Yes, see section above on accessible facilities.
Are all floors as clear as possible (NB kickstools, low
tables)?
Yes. Kickstools will only be made available in the compact
shelving area.
PCs are provided on all floors in the East Wing. These computers will not be fixed to the desk, but may be moved on the desk as needed; mouse cables are integral to the unit.
Laptops may be borrowed and taken to any part of Augustine House, as it is fully wireless enabled. Combined printer/photocopier/scanners are also available for use on all floors of the building.
Disabled users may use their own laptops if they prefer. Power points are provided at all desks within the East Wing. If you require assistance in using your own laptop within Augustine House, contact the i-Zone.
Software
Text Help Read&Write and Inspiration software is provided via terminal services, so users with a CCCU computing account will see that it is available when they log on anywhere within Augustine House. These packages are mainly for use by people with specific learning difficulties, but are useful for all staff and students. Software to assist blind or visually impaired students is available, i.e. JAWS and Supernova are available on a PC with a large scanner, and should be booked via the Disability Advice Team to ensure it is available when you require it.
If you require any assistance in using this software, please contact the Disability Advice Team via the i-Zone.
Disabled staff requiring assistive software or adapted hardware should seek advice from their line manager.
Furniture
Variable height desks are
provided on each floor of the Library. Please contact the
Library staff if you require assistance to locate one of the
desks or in adjusting it to suit your needs.
Augustine House is equipped with a range of seating that should provide an option for most people.
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Refreshment facilities
There are two cafes in
Augustine House, providing a range of hot and cold food and
beverages. One is situated within the atrium area on the ground
floor, towards the rear of the building. The other is on the
third floor, with a roof terrace looking out over the City
walls.
Disabled users are able to request assistance from staff on duty in the cafes, such as help in carrying trays or plates or description of the menu.
Information will also be provided on special diets available and description of food ingredients.
Specific
provision for:
Visually Impaired people
In addition to those
facilities described elsewhere in this guide, Augustine House
also offers a Guide Dog Relief in the grounds at the rear of the
building.
Colour and texture have been used within the building to aid visually impaired users to orientate themselves within the space and to locate the service or facility that they require.
Hearing
Impaired people
Fixed induction loops are
provided at the Reception Desk, the i-Zone desk, and within the
individual meeting rooms. It is also possible to borrow a
portable induction loop via the i-Zone.
Accessing individual support
Disabled students will be able
to request support on an immediate basis via the i-Zone. In
addition, internal phones are provided at a number of locations
across the main sites in Canterbury, which ring directly through
to the i-Zone. The i-Zone will refer students who have a need
for immediate support directly to the Disability Advice Team.
The i-Zone may be contacted also by email: i-zone@canterbury.ac.uk or from an external phone line on 01227 782222.
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What are your views on Augustine House?
If you would like to give us
some feedback on the provision for disabled people in Augustine
House, then please contact us via the i-Zone.
October 2009