Further developments in the union upgrade project have been completed, with the opening of a new ramp and lift aimed at improving accessibility in the building.

 

Although significantly behind schedule, a new lift has now been completed, which will allow students to travel easily between three floors, from the Riley balcony to Old Bar, without changing a route – a first  in LUU history.

 

The stairs leading from the corridor next to Santander down to Old Bar have been replaced with a ramp, one of the final stages in the Old Bar renovation project.

Accessibility has been a main priority in the redesign of the union space, as well as the functioning of LUU as a whole.

 

With ongoing building work and noise having a disruptive effect on accessibility in the building, LUU introduced the #accessibleLUU hashtag with an aim to improving communication with students around the issue.

 

Equality and Diversity Officer Emma Healey said: “Accessibility is a priority for us as a Union and that’s part of the reason we’re going through the Union Upgrade. When the Upgrade is finished we should have a building that is fit for purpose for all our students.

 

It’s important to remember that accessibility isn’t just about lifts and ramps (though they are great), it’s about culture, environment, and communication. I’ll be setting up an accessibility advisory board and carrying on using #accessibleLUU to make sure that accessibility outlasts this Exec.”