New Access guides to transform accessibility at Swansea University

The guides developed in partnership with AccessAble, and informed by feedback from students and colleagues, provide detailed, practical accessibility information for 76 of its academic buildings, student services, residences and key facilities across its Bay Campus, Singleton Campus and Bay Sports Park Campus. 

They include details such as: 

• accessible parking and drop-off points 

• step-free access and routes 

• building entrances and reception areas 

• lifts and internal circulation 

• accessible toilets and changing facilities 

• teaching, study, sport and social spaces 

• other accessibility features and facilities. 

AccessAble’s guides are fact-based and genuinely detailed, moving well beyond unhelpful phrases like “fully accessible” to give clarity on what students, staff and visitors can expect. 

The free guides are designed to support people with a wide range of accessibility requirements, including those with mobility or sensory needs and those who may feel anxious about unfamiliar environments.

The guides can be accessed via the AccessAble website, making it easy to use both when planning a visit and while on campus. 

Greg Ducie, Director, Estates, Digital and Campus Services, said, ‘‘At Swansea University, we are committed to ensuring that our campuses are accessible, welcoming and inclusive for everyone. Our access guides will provide clear and practical information to help students, staff and visitors plan their journeys and navigate our facilities with confidence. By improving access to information, we are helping to remove barriers and create an environment where everyone can fully participate in university life.’ 

Dr Gregory Burke, Founder and Executive Chair, AccessAble, said “Starting university, visiting a new campus and attending a lecture for the first time can be exciting yet challenging times for everyone. For a disabled student or member of staff you can expect these challenges to be amplified. These Detailed Access Guides share the practical information people need to plan around their own requirements and feel more confident when they arrive. They reflect the experiences of disabled people and the careful work of our trained surveyors.

“Swansea University has embraced that approach. In less than a year, we’ve worked to create 76 Detailed Access Guides across its campuses and facilities. Making them available through the University’s own website puts free, practical information where people are already looking for it. It has been a pleasure to work with colleagues across the University to make this happen.”