Disabled Access and Facilities

This guide covers:

• disabled access to our search rooms and visitor facilities
• adjustable seats
• computer screens, keyboards and visual aids
• helpers and guide dogs
• induction loops
• parking
• toilets

Disabled Access to Our Search Rooms and Visitor Facilities

The disabled entrances to General Register House and New Register House are accessed from the Archivists' Garden. They are shown on our location map and by external signage.

The ScotlandsPeople Centre Dundas search room, the Historical Search Room within the Reid search room and our visitor facilities are on the ground floor of both buildings. The Legal Search Room remains closed.

• to go to the Dundas Room, which re-opens from 4 May, use the ramped entrance (a one in 12 gradient) from the Archivists' Garden which leads to an automatic door on the east side of New Register House.
• to go to the Reid Room, where the Historical Search Room will be located from 26 April, use the ramped entrance from the Archivists' Garden to the west side of General Register House where the ‘push pad’ activated door takes you to the corridor to the north of the Reid Room.

Helpers

If you feel that you will require assistance then we recommend that you bring a friend or helper along too. However, the requirement for a friend or helper must be stipulated in advance and approval in writing received to ensure that COVID safe conditions are provided. 

Helpers are admitted free of charge to the ScotlandsPeople Centre and are given a second seat at the terminal beside the disabled person.

Helpers have to be issued with a reader's ticket if accompanying a disabled person who is using the archives in the Historical Search Room. Please read our guidance on how to obtain a reader's ticket before you visit.

Disabled persons may be required to provide evidence of their disabled status. 

Guide dogs

Guide and assistance dogs are welcome. We are committed to supporting access to our collections for people with sight loss and will make reasonable adjustments to assist. You must let us know in advance of your visit in order to help us to help you and to ensure that access is approved.

Toilets

The disabled toilets are available in both New Register House and General Register House.

Computer screens, keyboards and visual aids

The ScotlandsPeople Centre provides:

• two screens in every search room with software installed which allows the monitor to take on a "negative appearance" -  please let us know of your requirements before your visit so the correct seat can be made available
• text size can be enlarged on all computers
• large print keyboards are available upon request.

The Historical Search Room will provide a large print keyboard or a magnifying glass on request.  The microfilm readers there can magnify images between 10 to 24 times the original size.

Adjustable seats

There is one height-adjustable table suitable for people who use wheelchairs or walking aids in the ScotlandsPeople Centre Dundas search room and in the Historical Search Room located in the Reid search room. If you require one of these please let us know in advance.

Microfilm readers are not available at this time in order to provide a COVID safe environment.

All enquiry desks and counters are designed for wheelchair users.

Induction Loops

Induction loops have been installed at all enquiry desks and counters.

Parking

There are two disabled parking bays in the court-yard in front of New Register House. Please email customerservices@scotlandspeople.gov.uk in advance to book a space. Please provide your name, car registration number, model and colour of car, your expected arrival time and duration of visit.

Please note that these car parking spaces can only be available 15 minutes ahead of opening hours of the search room and that your disabled badge must be displayed in the car at all times.

There are two further disabled parking bays nearby in West Register Street.