Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Whitechapel Library

Queen Mary University of London, Whitechapel, Church of St Augustine with St Philip, London, E1 2AD

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Introduction

  • Comments View
    • This building also contains teaching rooms on the lower ground floor.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The Whitechapel campus is located just off the Whitechapel Road / A11. This road links the City of London with the A12. The A12 then links to the North Circular Road (and the A11 off that) and the M25.
    • There is no College car park on this campus. Only on-street parking is available.
  • By Bus View
    • The campus can be accessed via bus 25 (Oxford Circus to Ilford), 205 (Paddington Station to Bow Church DLR Station), 254 (Aldgate Bus Station to Caledonian Road) and D3 (Bonner Road, Bethnal Green to the Isle of Dogs). The National Express Coach to Stanstead Airport also stops on Whitechapel Road close to the campus.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest railway stations are Liverpool Street Station and Fenchurch Street Station. However, all of the London Terminal stations are within reach of the campus using public transport.
  • By Underground View
    • Whitechapel tube station is located on the opposite side of Whitechapel Road from the campus. It is served by the District, Hammersmith and City and Overground lines.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • The name of the car park is Abernethy Car Park.
    • The car park is located next to the Abernethy Building.
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or marked on street Blue Badge parking bays are available (within approximately 50m of the building).
    • The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 200cm x 600cm (6ft 7in x 19ft 8in).
    • The on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on Ashfield Street.
    • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Turner Street.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is a designated drop off point.
    • There is not a dropped kerb from the drop off point.
    • The drop off point is located on Turner Street.
  • Comments View
    • Standard parking on Ashfield Road is for permit holders only.
    • Standard parking on Turner Street is pay and display only.

Outside Access

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off Newark Street.
    • There is ramped/sloped and stepped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 104cm (3ft 5in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located between the first and second set of doors.
    • The ramp or slope does not bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is easy.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.
    • The width of the ramp is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is / are 8 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Lift View
    • There is a lift to access this entrance.
    • The lift does bypass the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • There is an intercom at a good height next to the lift.

Lift (Entrance)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left of the second entrance door.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • The lift is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the first entrance door.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 93cm (3ft 1in).
  • The lift door is manual, heavy and opens outwards.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 103cm x 144cm (3ft 5in x 4ft 9in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.

Reception (Main Reception)

  • The desk/counter is 15m (16yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The desk/counter is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • At the reception there are two turnstiles one with a width of 61cm and the other with a with of 47cm. There is also a gate with a width of 100cm.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.

Library

  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in large print.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in audio format.
  • There is an ordering service.
  • The library does not have computers with accessible software.
  • Auxiliary aids are available for computer users.
  • A height adjustable table and height adjustable chair is / are available.

Reception (Help Desk)

  • The desk/counter is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the reception barriers.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • The desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • The desk/counter is not staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Level Change (Psychology Books)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located at the rear of the building.
  • There is/are 1 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are bright.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are shallow (2cm - 10cm).
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B-G.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • There is not a landing.
    • There is an alternative staircase which is used to reach the standard toilets (as shown in photographs 3 and 4). These stairs are not in use after 19:00 in the evening or over the weekends when access to the standard toilets is gained via teaching room one on the lower ground floor.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the middle of the library.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are B-G.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the reception.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 97cm (3ft 2in).
  • The lift door is manual, heavy and opens outwards.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 104cm x 150cm (3ft 5in x 4ft 11in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.

Accessible Toilet

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located to your right when you exit the lift.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
    • The key is not a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from main reception.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 240cm x 291cm (7ft 10in x 9ft 7in).
    • Floor manoeuvring space is not clear in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on both sides.
    • The lateral transfer space is 102cm (3ft 4in).
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 103cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is not a toilet roll holder.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a medium colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • The room is L shaped of the 240cmx291cm dimensions. 120cm x 160cm are taken up by masonry.
    • Lateral transfer space size given is for the space on the right. The space on the left is 91cm.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are male and female standard toilets facilities on the basement floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A female standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the basement floor.
    • There is a male standard toilet in the same location.
    • There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.