There are three car parking spaces for users with disabilities at the front of the Essex Record Office (ERO) building. These cannot be booked in advance and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a car park with additional spaces for users with disabilities next door to the ERO building which offers short stay and long stay parking.
Tickets
Everyone visiting the ERO will need to have a County Archives Research Network (CARN) ticket. Tickets can be issued at the ERO reception if you do not already have one. You will need to fill in a form to obtain a CARN ticket. We have a pen for users with arthritis and similar conditions and a magnifying glass. Please ask if you would like to use these.
Hearing induction loops
There are hearing induction loops at both the reception desk and at the Searchroom counter on the first floor, where you sign in.
Lifts and toilet facilities
There is a lift up to the Searchroom on the first floor. The lift has been fitted with an audio commentary which announces when the doors are closing and when it arrives at the first floor. There are wheelchair accessible toilets on the ground floor, near reception, and on the first floor, inside the Searchroom.
Lockers
All bags must be secured in lockers. Low level lockers and a low level coat rack have been installed, with sufficient space for wheelchair users.
Searchroom facilities
Only pencils may be used to make notes in the Searchroom. We are in the process of acquiring pencils suitable for users with arthritis and similar conditions.
An accessible PC near the Searchroom staff counter has been fitted with a larger monitor screen with a white keyboard, featuring black characters on a yellow background. A new mouse with a larger tracker ball has been installed.
Magnifying glasses are available on request for use in the Searchroom.
Members of staff are on hand to provide assistance adjusting the height and rake of the Searchroom chairs. Outsize or heavy documents can be difficult to manoeuvre, but members of staff will be happy to provide assistance if required.
Leaflets
All leaflets are produced in a standard 12 point typeface. Frequently used leaflets are also produced in an 18 point version. Leaflets can be printed on yellow paper if required.