Campus Environment
What is meant by the ‘campus environment’?
The campus environment simply means everything within the campus area - buildings, equipment, signage, furniture, landsape. The way in which the campus environment has been designed impacts significantly on all people, including those with disabilities. In many buildings, old and new, poor architectural design can limit opportunities for students with disabilities and also for people of small or tall stature, the elderly, children, parents with buggies and many others. Steps without ramps leading up to buildings, narrow doorways, inaccessible toilets and poor signage are just some of the obstacles that can cause difficulties for many people.
In the past number of years however, many colleges have taken significant steps to improve their campus environment. Many main entrance and exit doors are now a little more user friendly, tiered lecture halls are somewhat easier to access and parking spaces and toilet facilities are more universally accessible.
What does an ‘orientation programme’ mean?
Almost all colleges run orientation / induction programmes for all first year students before the first term officially commences. As well as providing a tour of the campus, the programme normally always consists of the following:
- A welcome from the college or university
- A presentation from the Dean of Faculty
- A presentation from Student Services (including Health and Counselling Services, Restaurants, Clubs and Societies, Accommodation Services, Disability Service, Careers Service and others)
- A presentation from the Students' Union
- A Library briefing
Some students who are blind or visually impaired or who have mobility difficulties may require a more comprehensive tour (or orientation) of the campus. It is always advisable therefore for students to obtain a map of the campus before the first term commences and arrange to spend a few hours locating lecture halls, the student restaurant, campus residences, sports facilities, students’ union etc (summertime is generally a good time to visit). In some cases, the Disability / Access Service will provide a specific individual orientation programme for students with disabilities.
What things need to be considered when carrying out an orientation of the external campus environment?
In relation to the college’s external environment, it is important to give consideration to the following questions:
Parking
- Where are the accessible parking bays located on campus?
- How many accessible parking bays are there and where are they located in relation to lecture halls, restaurant facilities etc?
- Are the parking bays well lit and clearly signed?
- What is the college’s policy is relation to those who park in accessible bays illegally (are vehicle owners penalised, clamped or simply ignored?)
- Is there a clear pathway with dropped kerbs leading to the buildings to ensure ease of access?
- Are any of the pathways obstructed with bicycles, cars, mopeds etc?
Pavements
- Are the pavements uneven pavements and likely to lead to puddles being formed in bad weather conditions?
- Is tactile paving used to indicate steps, crossings or information display boards?
- Are pedestrian crossings controlled or uncontrolled?
- Are there any paved areas that are covered to help protect against poor weather conditions?
- Is there ample lighting at night time along these pavements?
Steps / Ramps
- Do steps have tactile information or colour nosing (i.e. steps with white lined edges)
- Are the steps open thread or closed thread?
- Are ramps available as an alternative to steps leading into a building?
- Do steps and ramps have support railings?
- Are these railings kept clear of obstacles?
Way-finding
- Is the signage on campus clear and easy to follow?
- Is the signage colour contrasted (e.g. white font against a navy background)
- Are campus maps easy to read?
- Are tactile maps or display boards available?
Seating
- Is open / sheltered seating provided along campus routes?
- Where are street items such as telephones, bins, and information posts, post boxes located in relation to seating – do they cause difficulty when navigating?
Transport
- What is the public transport system like (what bus / train routes serve the college?)
- Is there a transport system within the college itself?
- What are the bus and train routes to the college?
- How far is the college from the town / city?
- Where is the nearest hospital, cinema, shopping centre and are these accessible by public transport?
- If you have any concerns about the external / internal environment, you should contact the Buildings / Estates office on campus.
What things need to be considered when carrying out an orientation of the internal campus environment?
In relation to the college’s internal environment, it is important to give consideration to the following:
Way-finding
- Is the signage clear and easy to follow?
- Is the signage colour contrasted (e.g. white font against a navy background)
- Are campus maps easy to read?
- Are tactile maps or display boards available?
Doors
- Are the main entrance doors manual and easy to push / pull open?
- Are the main doors automatic and easy to use?
- Are revolving doors installed and easy to use?
- Do the internal doors have vision panels?
- Are the door handles / locks easy to grip and use?
Toilets
- Do the buildings have wheelchair accessible toilets?
- Are they fitted appropriately with level handles, raised toilet seats, sanitary boxes, alarm cords, internal door bars etc?
Lighting
- Is there sufficient lighting with regard to changes in level or direction?
- Are mounted light switches easy to find and easy to use?
- Are loop systems located in lecture halls?
- If you have any concerns about the internal / external environment, you should contact the Buildings / Estates office on campus.
Where can I find out more information?
“Building for Everyone”
This book, produced by the National Disability Authority (NDA) is a useful guide for designers, and includes checklists, drawings and illustrations, in relation to all aspects of accessibility.
The Centre for Accessible Environments
The Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE) is concerned with the practicalities of inclusive design in the built environment, and have a list of useful publications
The Universal Accessibility Auditing Programme
is a 5-day programme run by the Centre for Universal Accessibility at the University of Ulster for designers.
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