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 this location map and by external signage.

The ScotlandsPeople Centre is located on the ground floor in both the Dundas search room in New Register House and the Reid search room in general register House. The Historical search room is located on the first floor in General Register House. The Legal Search Room remains closed.

• To access the Dundas Room, 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 access the Reid Room, use the ramped entrance from the Archivists' Garden to the west side of General Register House.
• To Access the Historical Search Room, 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 and a member of staff will guide you to the Reid Stair. Lift access is available; please speak to a member of staff when you arrive to request this.

Helpers

If you feel that you will require assistance then we recommend that you bring a friend or helper along on your visit.

It would be helpful if you could advise us in advance if you intend to bring a helper. For Scotlandspeople please see information regarding this on the ScotlandsPeople website. For the Historical search room please email us at [email protected] ahead of your visit.

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

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

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. Please let us know in advance of your visit in order to help us to help you and to ensure that access is possible.

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:

• text size can be enlarged on all computers
• larger monitors
• large print keyboards are available upon request.

The Historical Search Room will provide a large print keyboard or a magnifying glass on request.

Adjustable seats

There are two height-adjustable tables suitable for people who use wheelchairs or walking aids in both the ScotlandsPeople centre search rooms and in the Historical Search Room. If you require one of these please let us know in advance.

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 [email protected] or contact us through the ScotlandsPeople website at https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/contact-us 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 made available 15 minutes ahead of opening hours of the search room and your disabled badge must be displayed in the car at all times.

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