SPCB Written Question · S4W-13992 · Session 4
What it is doing to make (a) chamber and (b) committee business (i) in and (ii) outside of Parliament more accessible.
The question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what it is doing to make (a) chamber and (b) committee business (i) in and (ii) outside of Parliament more accessible.
The answer
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) is aware of its responsibility to ensure that the Parliament is accessible and that provision is put in place to enable everyone to engage in committee and chamber business. To meet this commitment both chamber and committee business is made accessible to people who attend parliamentary business and to those who wish to view business outside of the Parliament.
For people who are interested in attending chamber or committee business, the SPCB makes information available about making a visit to the building on the Parliament website, for example it provides detail on how to get to the building; the physical layout of the building; how to book tickets to observe chamber or committee meetings; and the type of facilities available. A wide range of information leaflets can be downloaded from the Parliament website and are also available in other languages and alternative formats including audio and BSL. In addition, the SPCB has produced an accessibility guide to assist disabled people with their visit to the Parliament. Disabled visitors are encouraged to advise staff of any additional assistance they might require when they wish to attend a meeting of the Parliament. There are also procedures in place to ensure that staff check whether there are any additional requirements so that provision can be made in advance of their visit to the Parliament.
People who wish to attend chamber business can watch from the gallery of the chamber. The gallery is accessible to everyone with seating for wheelchairs users; an induction loop and infra red system for people who are hard of hearing; and TV screens for people who find it difficult to view the chamber from the gallery. Headsets and receivers are available from the front desk which enhances the level of sound when listening to proceedings and if someone prefers not to attend the gallery, there is the option to watch the proceedings from the main hall. Where business is specifically relevant to for example deaf people, provision is made by way of BSL interpreters.
Similarly, provision is made available for the committee rooms which have loop systems and TV screens and additional communication support can be provided where it is required.
For anyone who wishes to engage with chamber and committee business outside of the Parliament, the SPCB films and webcasts all chamber and committee business which is archived on the website, allowing viewers to watch and listen to past meetings for a month online. Since 2012 all videos are available on the Parliament’s You Tube channel which allows viewers to subscribe and re-use the videos sharing them on other websites and social media channels. A daily business video round up of Parliament proceedings is produced on Parliament business days and a range of promotional videos are made throughout the year which provide viewers with information about the Parliament and its work.
The SPCB makes available information about current, forthcoming and previous chamber and committee business on the Parliament’s website. This includes access to all key publications and reports from 1999 onwards. Each committee has a dedicated set of webpages which includes details of all current and previous business, and published reports. To enhance the accessibility of this information the home page is updated daily with news and details of forthcoming business, with links to more detailed information.
When a committee meets formally outside Parliament, accessibility is one of the most important features in deciding the choice of venue for the meeting. The venue must be suitable for wheelchair access to both the building and the room where the meeting is taking place, and there should be the availability of an induction loop, suitable lighting and accessible toilets. As with meetings held in the Parliament, the same procedures are applied when booking tickets for the meeting to check whether any access r
For people who are interested in attending chamber or committee business, the SPCB makes information available about making a visit to the building on the Parliament website, for example it provides detail on how to get to the building; the physical layout of the building; how to book tickets to observe chamber or committee meetings; and the type of facilities available. A wide range of information leaflets can be downloaded from the Parliament website and are also available in other languages and alternative formats including audio and BSL. In addition, the SPCB has produced an accessibility guide to assist disabled people with their visit to the Parliament. Disabled visitors are encouraged to advise staff of any additional assistance they might require when they wish to attend a meeting of the Parliament. There are also procedures in place to ensure that staff check whether there are any additional requirements so that provision can be made in advance of their visit to the Parliament.
People who wish to attend chamber business can watch from the gallery of the chamber. The gallery is accessible to everyone with seating for wheelchairs users; an induction loop and infra red system for people who are hard of hearing; and TV screens for people who find it difficult to view the chamber from the gallery. Headsets and receivers are available from the front desk which enhances the level of sound when listening to proceedings and if someone prefers not to attend the gallery, there is the option to watch the proceedings from the main hall. Where business is specifically relevant to for example deaf people, provision is made by way of BSL interpreters.
Similarly, provision is made available for the committee rooms which have loop systems and TV screens and additional communication support can be provided where it is required.
For anyone who wishes to engage with chamber and committee business outside of the Parliament, the SPCB films and webcasts all chamber and committee business which is archived on the website, allowing viewers to watch and listen to past meetings for a month online. Since 2012 all videos are available on the Parliament’s You Tube channel which allows viewers to subscribe and re-use the videos sharing them on other websites and social media channels. A daily business video round up of Parliament proceedings is produced on Parliament business days and a range of promotional videos are made throughout the year which provide viewers with information about the Parliament and its work.
The SPCB makes available information about current, forthcoming and previous chamber and committee business on the Parliament’s website. This includes access to all key publications and reports from 1999 onwards. Each committee has a dedicated set of webpages which includes details of all current and previous business, and published reports. To enhance the accessibility of this information the home page is updated daily with news and details of forthcoming business, with links to more detailed information.
When a committee meets formally outside Parliament, accessibility is one of the most important features in deciding the choice of venue for the meeting. The venue must be suitable for wheelchair access to both the building and the room where the meeting is taking place, and there should be the availability of an induction loop, suitable lighting and accessible toilets. As with meetings held in the Parliament, the same procedures are applied when booking tickets for the meeting to check whether any access r
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-13992 by reference.