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Visitor accessibility

Information for visitors with disabilities or other accessibility requirements. Disabilities can include visual, hearing, mental, cognitive, and learning, as well as medical or physical impairments.

Accessible public transport and parking 

Public transport

Nearby stations with step-free access include Euston Square, King’s Cross St Pancras, and Tottenham Court Road. 

Nearby bus stops include Russell Square, Tavistock Square, and Goodge Street Station.

Street parking 

Street parking is managed by Camden Council, one of the four central London boroughs in which the "blue badge scheme" does not apply fully. Unless your blue badge was issued by Camden Council, you are restricted to using designated "blue badge parking bays".

There is a blue badge parking bay, which can accommodate three cars, outside 20 Bedford Way.

Access to the building

During our construction works there will be changes in access to our building and inside the building. Please check this page and with your host before you travel.

Via Bedford Way

Approaching 20 Bedford Way at street level, there is step-free access to the main reception area and café. Enter through the portico entrance doors and through the turnstiles. This is Level 3.

There is a platform lift by reception, which will take you to the lower level providing access to Core A lifts on your left, or down a corridor to the Core B lifts on your right.

Please note however, that disabled access to Level 1’s Jeffery Hall, Drama Studio and Logan Hall is affected from mid-October until mid-December. Works will be taking place on the Level 3 Core A lift lobby, with only one lift operational, which will affect disabled access, particularly for those who want to get directly from Level 3 Reception to Level 1.

Between 8am and 5pm, access is still possible via the Level 3 Core A lift lobby with the assistance of a Move Marshall. Outside of these hours, please use the platform lift past the café to Level 4 Reception, from where you can access the Level 4 Core A lift lobby down to Level 1.

Street view of 20 Bedford Way IOE entrance as of March 2023. Credit: IOE.
Via Thornhaugh Street/Russell Square

If you approach from the pedestrian walkway between Woburn Square and Thornhaugh Street/Russell Square, the building entrance is at the top of the concourse, which has a slight uphill gradient, and has wide step-free entrance doors to our security desk area.

Google Street View of pedestrian walkway and entrance


Exiting the building in an emergency

All areas of levels four to nine of the building are accessible and feature horizontal means of escape and adapted facilities.

In the case of an emergency, levels one and three can be exited via the fire evacuation lifts in Core A. A reception staff member or a trained personnel will need to operate the lift to assist the mobility impaired person.  

  • If you are on level three, the horizontal exit is to the north in core C.
  • If you are on levels four to eight, horizontal exits are to both north (core C) and south (core A)
  • If you are on level nine, the horizontal exit is to the south in core A.

Students, staff, and visitors with disabilities or sensory issues are advised to submit a risk assessment-based PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) to ensure that any specific issues are addressed.

If you have not been in contact with a member of staff prior to visiting or attending an event, notify a staff member at the front desk when you arrive to submit your PEEP and raise any additional requirements or questions you may have.


Inside the main building

  • Guide dogs are welcome.
  • Wheelchair accessible toilets can be found all levels (with the exception of Level 2) .
  • There are no hearing loop facilities available, but let us know if you need assistance planning or reserving seats in advance of an event. 

Direct Messaging System (DMS)

DMS is a mass notification system that sends emergency text messages to users who have subscribed to the service.

The system directs fire alarm information to an individual’s mobile phone. It can inform deaf or persons with hearing impairments when a fire alarm has been activated.

This could be used for pre-alarm notifications and evacuation alerts.

  • Subscribe to the DMS service of 20 Bedford Way by texting “ioebedfordway1” to 07797 870999.

Events 

We aim to make our events as inclusive as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements or enquiries that are not covered in the access profile, please contact the Events and Marketing team at ioe.marketing@ucl.ac.uk