Guide to Physical Access

The public facilities at the Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland are designed to be accessible by wheelchair users.  We also have basic aids to assist anyone with hearing or sight difficulties.  Staff are more than happy to assist with access to the resources at the Record Office.

Car Parking
There is a free visitors' car park on the corner of Long Street & Elizabeth Court opposite the Memorial Park, a short distance from the office.  There is one designated space for a disabled visitor.  Please contact the office in advance to make sure that the parking space is available on the day you wish to visit.

There are also several public pay car parks within easy walking distance.  Most have free parking for 3 hours and an approx charge of £2 for the day.

Entrance
There is a ramp leading from the street up to the main entrance. Please note that the front doors are not automatic and assistance may be required.

Floor levels within the building
The searchrooms, reception, foyer, refreshment area & toilets are all on ground floor level.

Toilet Facilities
There is an accessible toilet with sliding door near the reception area.  There is a pull-switch alarm for visitors to activate should the assistance of reception staff be needed within the toilet.

Refreshment Facilities
There is a rest area near reception where visitors are welcome to sit and eat their own food.  A machine selling hot drinks is available. There is also a free drinking water dispenser giving room temperature or chilled water.

Hearing Aids
The reception counter and searchroom counter are fitted with an induction-hearing loop.

Magnifying Aids
Searchroom users may borrow magnifying glasses from the searchroom counter.  All microfilm/microfiche readers in the searchroom have magnification controls.  One special microfilm/microfiche reader has greater magnification to assist readers with visual impairment.

Guide Dogs
Guide dogs are admitted.

Searchroom Tables
All tables are suitable for most standard wheelchairs.  There is space at the searchroom tables for a companion to assist.

Searchroom Shelving
Most catalogues and indexes are at a medium or low level.  Some shelves, especially for library books, are up to 1.8 metres high and others are at floor level.  Please ask staff for assistance.

Electrical sockets
Electrical sockets are fitted at each table in the searchroom.  3-way adaptors, if needed, are available from the searchroom counter.