YHA (England & Wales) Trevelyan House, Dimple Road, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3YH Tel. +44(0)1629 592 700 www.yha.org.uk YHA Oxford Access Statement Introduction Whether you are visiting this historic, vibrant city for work or for pleasure, YHA Oxford is the perfect base. Located right next to the train station and just a short stroll from the city centre, the hostel has facilities which are ideal for families, backpackers, individuals and groups. We aim to cater for the needs of all visitors in this 203-bed hostel, a 3-storey purpose built youth hostel ideally located next to the train station. YHA Oxford has three bedrooms on the ground floor, all of which are accessible with accessible bathrooms. We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require any assistance please phone 01629 592700 or email Customer Services Pre-Arrival The nearest rail station is Oxford which is less than 200 metres away. It is fully wheelchair accessible. The nearest bus stop is less than 200 metres away. There is a frequent bus service with low level access. There are several taxi services which can provide accessible taxis. Please find the details in the contact information section. The hostel is just off a main road with a pavement and street lighting. Nearest shop-mobility scheme is in Westgate Multi-storey Car Park, Norfolk Street, Oxford, OX1 1LR (0.6 miles away) - 01865 248 737. www.yha.org.uk; please scroll down to the Maps and Directions section to view a map and transport options. You can contact the hostel by phone, fax or e-mail (please see contact information). Arrival & Car Parking Facilities There are two accessible parking spaces available for blue badge holders, adjacent to the hostel. We have no other parking, but there is space for drop off and pick up off the main road, where in some places there is a dropped kerb. If you let us know what time you are coming we will do our best to provide assistance moving to and from cars. 1
The nearest NCP car park with marked accessible bays is on Worcester Street; approximately 500 metres from the hostel along a level, even pavement lit with street lighting. The Park and Ride also stops 1 mile down the road. It has regular buses, all of which are accessible. Access to the main entrance from the street is provided either by a flight of steps, or via long sloped paths circa 1 in 22, with total change in level from the main footpath of 1.8m. The area at the top is evenly paved and there are some potted trees on either side of the doors. Main Entrance & Reception Entrance into the hostel is via manual double leaf doors which open outwards, and over a flat threshold. The door is glazed and un-patterned, but there are often advertisements displayed on the glass. The main entrance hall is a spacious open plan area which contains the reception desk, café bar and soft seating dining area. This area is level throughout, with laminate flooring from the entrance and carpet in the seating sections. The room is evenly lit by ceiling lights. The reception desk is immediately to the right of the entrance. There is a low level section and a portable induction loop is available on request. We also have a vibrating pillow alarm available. There is a range of seating here consisting of sofas and armchairs. Public Areas Halls and Corridors There is good colour contrast to floor, walls and doorways throughout the building. Corridors are well-lit with ceiling and wall lights, and the floors are a mixture of laminate and carpet. All public facilities including the café bar, dining room and lounge are on the ground floor. We do not have a lift so all upper floors are accessed by stairs. Public WCs There is one unisex accessible WC on the ground floor central corridor, which has level access from reception via double leaf doors. It is well-lit with fluorescent lighting, has nonslip flooring, grab rails and a low basin fitted with lever taps. Transfer onto the toilet is left handed. There is also a standard unisex WC in this area. Café Bar The café bar is an extension of the reception desk. We do not have a low level serving section, but we are happy to provide table service on request. There are low and high 2
tables available and the same soft seating as mentioned above. Chairs can be moved by a member of staff, please ask if you would like us to do this for you. Lounge The lounge has level access from the reception area through a single door. There are arm chairs and tables available. Furniture is generally well spaced, allowing room for a wheelchair, and can be moved on request. The room is well-lit with ceiling lights and has carpet flooring. Dining Room The dining room is accessed via the central corridor. There are double doors and a level threshold leading into the restaurant area which is then level throughout. The flooring is laminate and the room is evenly lit with ceiling lights. There are tables and wooden, straight backed chairs available. All of the furniture is moveable. Table service in the restaurant can be provided; please just ask at reception if you require this and we will be happy to help. We are also happy to cater for special diets or any particular likes or dislikes. Please advise us of these before your arrival. Self-catering Kitchen Access to the self-catering kitchen is level, through a single leaf door from the central corridor. There are clear, large font warning signs and directions on storage displayed on the walls. The room is well-lit with ceiling lights and has laminate flooring. The kitchen is equipped with 3 domestic style hobs and a microwave with work top space running along one side of the room. All worktop space is at 3ft height. Laundry & Luggage Space The laundry is also located on the ground floor. There is level access off a corridor from the reception area, and through a single leaf door. This room is equipped with two commercial washers and dryers and has some drying space. The flooring is laminate, and the room is well-lit. This room has sufficient space to allow access to wheelchair users. Meeting Rooms We have one meeting room which is available for hire. The meeting room is located on the 1 st floor and access is only via steps. Bedrooms and Bathrooms All bedrooms are carpeted and well-lit with ceiling and individual bunk lights. Unless otherwise stated the beds are standard single bunk beds. All bedding is provided. 3
All bathrooms are well-lit and have non-slip flooring. All standard showers have a step up to enter. Ground Floor Two bedrooms on the ground floor are accessible and have accessible en-suite bathrooms complete with grab rails, low basins with lever taps and shower. Transfer onto the toilet in these bathrooms is left handed. There is another bedroom on the ground floor which also has an en-suite adapted for wheelchair users; however this bathroom is smaller than standard and so may not suit all customers. The transfer onto the toilet in this bathroom is right handed. First Floor The first floor is accessed via a staircase of 20 steps which has handrails on both sides. We have a variety of bedroom sizes from 1-6 people. Some rooms have single beds, some have en-suite bathrooms and a few have single beds. There are two rooms and one WC accessed off the main corridor for use by all guests. Second Floor The first floor is accessed via a staircase of 16 steps which has handrails on both sides. We have a variety of bedroom types which sleep from 2-6 people. Some are twin rooms and some have a double bed. Most of the rooms on this floor are en-suite. There is also one shower room and one WC accessed off the main corridor for use by all guests. Grounds & Gardens YHA Oxford has an outdoor seating area at the rear of the building. This area is level, with level access from the dining room. The floor is patio paving and there are bistro style table and chairs available. There is also a lawn which is accessed via 6 steps with no handrail. Cycle Shed Our cycle shed is 50 metres from the main reception, connected by a level paved path and then a ramp. Additional Information We do not permit pets, but assistance dogs are very welcome. We do not permit smoking anywhere in the hostel. 4
A member of staff is always available on site, including at night. Emergency lighting and fire alarms fitted. We ensure that all guests are evacuated in the event of fire or any emergency requiring evacuation. Arrangements for guests needing assistance to evacuate in case of fire should be discussed beforehand. Evacuation procedures shown on information board in each bedroom. Mobile phone reception is good within immediate vicinity. Wi-Fi internet connection is available in the reception lobby. Contact Information Address: YHA Oxford, 2a Botley Road, Oxford, OX2 0AB Telephone: 0345 3719131 E-mail: oxford@yha.org.uk Hours of operation: Reception is open 24 hours. Ordnance Survey Map 164; Grid reference SP486063. Local bus: Oxford Bus Company has several lines including the 3, 3B and 5 which have low level access. For the hostel get off at either the Railway Station or Frideswide Square. For more information see the Oxford Bus Company website. Services run by Stagecoach also have low level access. Local accessible taxis: 001 Taxis - 01865 240000; ABC Taxis - 01865 770077; City Taxis - 01865 794000; Radio Taxis - 01865 242424. We welcome your feedback to help us to continue making improvements. Please contact us directly if you have any queries or if you would like to make any comments. 5