Evaluating accessibility on campus

First year Geography students have been learning about accessibility issues on campus. The project links to classes on geographies of disability, and staff research on accessibility issues.

Some groups borrowed a wheelchair to help them evaluate campus spaces. They took measurements of slopes, door widths etc, and tried negotiating particular pathways and corridors.

Thinking about how the angle of slopes can help or impede wheelchair access

Trying popular routes around campus

Thinking about the width of pathways

Other groups used goggles to help them understand the experiences of people with common visual impairments. They thought about challenges related to climbing stairs, reading signs, and crossing roads.

Using goggles to help give some insights into some common visual impairments

This project work has been supported by the University's ASSIST team, who provide support to students with a wide range of disabilities and additional needs.

Students assess wheelchair access on campus

First year Geography students have been carrying out fieldwork to evaluate the accessibility of Avenue Campus for wheelchair users. This relates to work carried out in class on 'geographies of disability'. Before conducting the exercise, students had the opportunity to interview members of the University's Wheelchair Basketball team, to find out more about the experiences of wheelchair users.

Dilan, Sharan, George, Aimee and James reviewing wheelchair access at Avenue Campus

Working in groups, students have taken a 30-minute walk with a wheelchair around an everyday route on campus. Everyone has had an opportunity to push, and be pushed in, the wheelchair. During the walk, students made fieldnotes reflecting upon how familiar everyday spaces can look and feel very different from the perspective of a wheelchair user.

Students then measured footpath and corridor widths, kerb heights, and slope gradients. These measurements were compared to Department for Transport guidance about accessible pedestrian environments.

Each group is now working hard to prepare an annotated map and summary of their key findings, ready for assessment. This exercise is designed to help students engage with recent academic research about geographies of disabilities. The project also provides a wealth of data which is really valued by the University of Northampton, as we seek to make the campus an accessible and inclusive place for all.

Enhancing accessibility on campus

Dr Faith Tucker, Dr John Horton and Dr Michelle Pyer have been awarded a £3,000 Innovation Fund grant to develop resources to enhance accessibility on campus.

Since 2005 the team have facilitated annual student-led audits of accessibility issues encountered by students with diverse disabilities.  The project will build upon this work by supporting student involvement in the production of innovative maps, guidance and resources for disabled students, visitors and staff at the University.  They will be working closely with the University’s ASSIST team.

Students carrying out a wheelchair accessibility audit earlier this year.

In September 2015 a number of student bursaries will be advertised.  The successful students will carry out site audits, consult with students with diverse disabilities, and develop the resources.

Current students with disabilities identified some ways in which accessibility could be enhanced
- these three ideas will inform the project.

Wheelchair accessibility audit carried out by first year Geography students

First year Human Geography students have been carrying out fieldwork to evaluate the accessibility of Avenue Campus for wheelchair users. Working in groups of 4 or 5, students completed two activities (wearing the famous Geography fieldwork hi-viz jackets, of course!). Before conducting the exercise, students had the opportunity to interview members of the University's Wheelchair Basketball team, to find out more about the experiences of wheelchair users.

Jack and Laurence auditing wheelchair accessibility at Avenue Campus

• Each group has taken a 30-minute walk with a wheelchair around an everyday route on campus. Everyone has had an opportunity to push, and be pushed in, the wheelchair. During the walk, students made fieldnotes reflecting upon how familiar everyday spaces can look and feel very different from the perspective of a wheelchair user.
•  All students gained experience of using field equipment to measure footpath and corridor widths, kerb heights, and slope gradients. These measurements were compared to Department for Transport Guidance about accessible pedestrian environments.

Each group will prepare an annotated map and summary of their key findings. This exercise is designed to help students engage with recent academic research about geographies of disabilities. The project also provides a wealth of data which is really valued by the University of Northampton, as we seek to make the campus an accessible and inclusive place for all.

University Wheelchair Basketball team attend Geography class to discuss accessibility issues on campus

Big thanks to Brian, Gianluca and Kieran from the University of Northampton Wheelchair Basketball team, who visited today’s first year Geography class to share experiences of using a wheelchair on campus.

 

Members of UoN Wheelchair Basketball Team, telling first year Geographers about their experiences of university life.

It was really helpful to hear first-hand experiences of university life from the perspective of wheelchair users. For example, we learnt about:

·         long routes and delays involved in getting around buildings;

·         stress and hazards caused by inconsiderately parked bikes and cars;

·         frustrations caused by blocked doorways, congested corridors, and engaged disabled toilets;

·         experiences of feeling ‘pitied’, ‘stereotyped’ and ‘patronised’;

·         the hard physical effort involved in getting across campus in a wheelchair;

·         the challenges and dangers of everyday activities like buying a coffee and pastry!

The discussion will be really useful to students preparing to research wheelchair accessibility for a forthcoming assignment.  This links to a series of classes all about geographies of disability.

We also heard about the excellent opportunities to get involved in volunteering, sport, exercise and/or fundraising with the Wheelchair Basketball team. Hopefully some students will be inspired to get involved. For information and contact details click here: https://www.facebook.com/UoNWheelieBBall