Whether audio handsets are available for visually-impaired people touring the Parliament and, if so, how these are publicised both external…

Visitors to the Scottish Parliament can tour the Main Hall area which comprises our exhibition, shop and café on their own. The exhibition and a wide range of leaflets are available for visitors explaining Parliament and its role. Audio tapes and CDs are available for all our main leaflets and the exhibition text. Leaflets themselves carry wording to explain that they are available in audio tape and CD and Visitor Service Officers in the Main Hall can respond to requests. This is also publicised on the website. Visitor services staff will make all reasonable adjustments in advance for visitors with a disability who indicate a specific requirement for their visit.
On non-business days visitors can also take a paid for guided tour which includes the garden lobby, chamber, committee rooms and Queensberry House foyer. Tour guides are trained to meet the various additional requirements that may be required by a disabled person to allow them to fully participate in the tour. Further disability equality training for the guides is planned in the coming year.
Visitor services will be reviewing the Guided Tour Programme as part of a wider review of Visitor Services planned for autumn 2005 and this will include considering the range and types of tours on offer.