Biochemistry and Biological Sciences Teaching Centre

There are two accessible parking spaces available off Mansfield Road. Follow the signs for Pharmacology and the Chemistry Extension; you'll see the spaces on the right.  From these spaces there is level access to the entrance. Please note that you will have to come around the Zoology Research building to reach the main entrance. It is advisable to contact the department before using the parking spaces.

Alternatively, there is public accessible parking available on nearby Jowett Walk. Please click on the link below for a map of Blue Badge parking in central Oxford.

• Oxford Blue Badge parking map (PDF)

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The main entrance is off Mansfield Road next to the University Club. Although the surface is even, there is a slope leading down, then up which some people may find harder to use. Once past this there is level access to the main entrance. Alternatively you can use the road leading towards Pharmacology for a more level route; you’ll have to come along the side of the adjoining Zoology Research Building.   

There is level access in the large area in front of the building. To the left you’ll see the Zoology Research building. The teaching labs are to the right. The path between both buildings is covered. The main door is powered and operated by presenting your Bodleian card to the proximity card reader to the left of the door. This is at an accessible height for wheelchair users.

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There is no reception in the building and the main entrance is access controlled.

Department members can gain access with their Bodleian proximity card – the card reader and is on the left hand side and at an accessible height for wheelchair users. The door is powered. There is also a bell push which connects you to staff inside the building. This is to the right of the doors and is at an accessible height for wheelchair users.

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The accessible toilet is next to the standard toilets off the entrance lobby; it is spacious and well laid out. There are also two ambulant accessible toilets – one in the male toilets, and one in the female toilets.

There are male and female toilets off the entrance lobby.

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The main entrance doors are powered.

Other doors are manually operated but none are especially heavy to use. Most of these have vision panels and handles which contrast with the surroundings. Most doors are access controlled with proximity card readers located just above the door handle. 

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The doors from the entrance lobby/breakout space lead into a corridor that also serves as a coat and bag store. There are rows of coat hooks including some at an accessible height for wheelchair users. There are also lockers here including some that are at an accessible height for wheelchair users. 

The coat hooks contrast well with their surroundings to help people with a visual impairment.

The doors at either end of the corridor lead directly into the labs.

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From the entrance lobby there are two doors leading to a corridor with coat and bag storage. There are coat hooks and lockers at an accessible height for wheelchair users. You can access both the Biology and Biochemistry teaching labs from this corridor.

Biology Teaching lab
This is a large room with five rows of lab benches and a teaching area at the front. There is a lowered section of lab bench close to the teaching area. There is also a sink at an accessible height next to the lowered benches. Due to the size of the room, there is a speaker system in place – this may help people with a hearing impairment. There is also a portable hearing loop available. 

Biochemistry Teaching lab
This is a large room with six rows of lab benches and a teaching area at the front. There is a lowered section of lab bench at the fourth row back from the teaching area. There are two sinks at an accessible height for wheelchair users. Due to the size of the room, there is a speaker system in place – this may help people with a hearing impairment. There is also a hearing loop available. 

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Inside the main entrance you’ll find yourself in a large entrance lobby which also serves as a breakout space. There are vending machines with snacks and hot and cold drinks – unfortunately due to the height of the coin slots and buttons these are not accessible for wheelchair users. There is a water point which should be accessible for most wheelchair users. 

There are several tables and chairs as well as sofas arranged around low coffee tables. The chairs are freestanding and can be arranged as needed. The tables have good kneehole space with no obstructions underneath. As the sofas and coffee tables are low, some people may find it hard to use these. 

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Both of the teaching labs have a portable loop available for use. 

Accessible Computers

All the lab benches are equipped with computers, including the lowered benches.

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