Accessibility of Minderbroedersberg 4-6
The main administrative building of Maastricht University (UM) is located at Minderbroedersberg 4–6 (MBB). This building houses the auditorium (Aula) where many academic ceremonies take place, as well as the offices of the Executive Board.
Because the building is historic, some parts of the building are not fully step-free. We're continuously working to improve accessibility and are happy to help you plan your visit.
Opening times
The Minderbroedersberg building is open on weekdays from 08.00 to 19.00. The parking area is open from 07.00 to 22.00.
Parking
Behind the building, there is a private parking area with two accessible parking spaces. These should be reserved in advance by the UM employee or PhD candidate who has invited you to the MBB.
How to access the parking area
- Drive up Minderbroedersberg to the main entrance of the building.
- Turn right and immediately left to reach the entrance barrier.
- Use the intercom to contact the reception.
- Give your name to the receptionist so they can confirm your reservation and open the barrier for you.
- Once inside the parking area, follow the road around the building. The two accessible parking spaces are on your right just before the exit gate.
Please note that this parking area has limited spaces and is only for visitors with accessibility needs and visitors of the Executive Board.
Accessible entrances
Main accessible entrance
The front entrance to MBB is only accessible by stairs. A step-free, accessible entrance is located at the back of the building, near the accessible parking spaces. The door opens manually and can be accessed with a UM card. If you do not have a UM card, please use the intercom. The receptionist will let you in and can arrange assistance if needed.
West-side accessible entrance
Rooms 0.103 – 0.121 are accessible through the building's west-side entrance, located next to the parking exit gate. There are steps leading to this level, so these rooms are not accessible by wheelchair from other areas inside the building. The door opens manually and can be accessed with a UM card. If you do not have a UM card, please use the intercom. The receptionist will let you in and can arrange assistance if needed.
Room accessibility
All floors are accessible by lift, except the fourth floor (rooms 4.027 – 4.035).
The DEI+ Office, MUO Technical Support Office, Local Consultative Body, and the Archive, Documentation and Postroom (ADP) (rooms 0.103 – 0.121) are not wheelchair accessible from inside the building. They can be reached through the building's west-side entrance, as described above.
Accessible toilet
An accessible toilet is available on the ground floor near the accessible entrance leading to the parking area.
Aula / auditorium accessibility
The Aula, also called the auditorium, at MBB is where PhD defences and many other academic ceremonies and presentations take place. It offers fully adjustable lighting and auditory assistance.
Wheelchair accessibility
The auditorium is accessible by wheelchair from the building's main accessible entrance.
The accessible door for the auditorium is located past the lift, through the double glass doors and on the right.
There is space for a wheelchair next to the front two rows of seats. Most wheelchair users prefer to sit on the left side of the room rather than near the entrance.
Visual accessibility and lighting
All of the lights in the auditorium, including the ceiling lights and individual spotlights in the front of the room, are fully dimmable and can be adjusted for those with a visual impairment or light sensitivity.
Auditory accessibility
The Aula is equipped with a hearing loop system. To use it, switch your hearing aid to the T or MT setting, or connect via your hearing aid app (if applicable).
If needed, a receiver and headphones can also be provided.
How to request accessibility support for the Aula
Support for ceremony participants and audience members
If you would like lighting or hearing support, please contact the technical support team in the control booth on the balcony. A technician can assist before the ceremony begins. We recommend arriving early so there is enough time to make any adjustments.
If you would like to arrange support in advance, or if no technician is present in the booth, you can request support by:
- contacting the PhD candidate (for PhD defences), who can arrange support via the PhD Office, or
- emailing tech-support-muo@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
Support for PhD candidates and presenters
PhD candidates and presenters can request lighting adjustments or auditory support during the pre-defence or presentation preparation appointment.
Presenters are advised to bring a copy of their presentation on a USB drive. If you need to use assistive software on your own laptop during the presentation, please bring any necessary adapters (especially for Apple devices).
If you have questions or would like to confirm equipment compatibility in advance, please email tech-support-muo@maastrichtuniversity.nl
PhD candidates can request support unrelated to accessibility via the PhD Office.
Evacuating the building
In case of an emergency, the lift will be out of service due to fire safety regulations. If you need assistance evacuating via the stairs, our emergency response officers (BHV'ers) will help you to exit the building using an evacuation mattress.
What to do in an evacuation:
- Go to the nearest stairwell that leads to an exit.
- Inform others that you need assistance so they can alert an emergency response officer.
- If there is a telephone in your evacuation area, call 1333. If not, use your mobile phone to call +31 (0) 43 3875566 and inform the central service of your location.
- Remain in the evacuation area of the stairwell until an emergency response officer arrives.