Accessibility guide

Find out about the Scottish Parliament's accessibility features and services

There are multiple sections to this guide. Use the headings at the top of the guide, or the arrows at the bottom of each page, to navigate.

Inside the building

A BSL map is available
Information and direction signs throughout the building have Braille equivalents next to the text
There are lots of windows in the building, so it is well lit depending on weather. Light levels can vary, but there are some very bright lights in the committee rooms and the debating chamber
The building can be busy and noisy, especially on days when the Parliament is meeting. Mondays and Fridays are usually quieter days. If you come on a day when the Parliament is meeting in the debating chamber, you may hear the division bell. This sounds loudly 10 minutes and 5 minutes before decision time, which usually takes place at 5pm. It may also sound at other times if MSPs have to vote
We have a designated quiet space, which can be organised ahead of your visit on request
Staff are available to assist disabled visitors but are not able to assist with pushing wheelchairs
There are accessible toilets in several parts of the building including the entrance area, near the way out and near the stairs to the debating chamber. There is also a Changing Places toilet with a hoist and changing bench on the ground floor
Hearing loops are fitted throughout the public areas, including at the visitor information desk, debating chamber, committee rooms, café and shop

The building has six lifts, and these can be used to get to all floors of the building. Dimensions for these lifts follow
The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters
The lift shows the floor number at each floor, and has a voice announcement that states the floor that it has arrived at and that the doors are opening or closing

Stairs in the building have a handrail at each side, but some landings have no handrails.

There are

61 steps (split by 5 landings) in the staircase from the Main Hall to the public gallery of the Debating Chamber
9 steps in the staircase to the Garden Lobby
28 steps (split by 1 landing) in the staircase from the Garden Lobby to the Members’ Lobby

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access
The route is 1718mm wide, or more
There is a hearing loop available here. This connects to hearing aids which have a 'T-Switch'
The desk has a low section for wheelchair users
Some of the staff here have disability awareness training, and some have BSL training

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access
The route is 1718mm wide, or wider in places
Some display information is set at a low height to accommodate differing requirements. Videos have subtitles and BSL interpretation
Although there is no seating in the exhibition area, there are portable seats available for visitors to use. These seats are available in the main hall, adjacent to the exhibition

These areas are staffed by stewards who can assist should you require
We have a viewing area for wheelchair users, which has seating alongside and behind

From the main entrance to the viewing area, there is level access
There is a lift. From the lift to the viewing area, the route is 1500mm wide, or wider in places
The door is 900mm wide
There are 6 dedicated wheelchair spaces in the public gallery of the debating chamber. These areas do not have seating for companions, although companions could take seats in adjacent locations. If a wheelchair user requires a companion to sit alongside or behind them there is an area of flexible seating that makes this possible. Visitors should request this seating area at time of booking
The wheelchair spaces are sheltered
There is a hearing loop available in the public gallery. This connects to hearing aids which have a 'T-Switch'
Stewards cannot bring food and drink to anyone using the public gallery. Eating and drinking in the public gallery is prohibited in our code of conduct. However, visitors who have medical conditions that require them to consume food or drink can do so. This should be requested at the time of booking so that arrangements can be put in place

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors. The toilet meets the standards of a Changing Places toilet
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access
The route is 1718mm wide, or wider in places
The toilet door is 900mm wide
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left and right
There is 1100mm at the side of the toilet
There is 1750mm in front of the toilet
The toilet seat is 450mm high

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access
The route is 1788mm wide, or wider in places
The door is 1700mm wide
The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or wider in places
There is a hearing loop available in the shop. This connects to hearing aids which have a 'T-Switch'

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access
The route is 1718mm wide, or wider in places
There are no steps to get to a table
The café's menu is available in large print and staff are trained to assist in explaining menu options
There is a hearing loop available at the café. This connects to hearing aids which have a 'T-Switch'
The dining area is self-service. If you need table service, staff can help you
The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or wider in places
There is no background music
The table and plates have high colour contrast
We cater for sugar free (diabetic), vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs), lactose free (dairy free), nut free, low fat, low potassium, low sodium, no gastric content, high fibre, vegan and halal specific diets

Hearing loops are available in committee rooms. These connect to hearing aids which have a 'T-Switch'
All committee rooms are accessible for wheelchair users, and spaces are reserved for wheelchair users in the public seating area in each committee room