How does Parliament House accommodate members and senators who have disabilities?

Thanks for your question. The Australian Parliament makes every effort to assist all members of Parliament to undertake their duties, inclusive of disability. For example:

  • The Senate and House of Representatives are wheelchair accessible.
  • Hearing loops operate in the Senate, House, committee rooms and other working spaces.
  • Parliamentary proceedings are available in multiple formats including video, audio and transcripts.
  • Disabled bathrooms are available for senators, members, staff and visiting members of the public.

Other accessibility features include assistance animal access, modifications to senators’ and members’ offices and accessible lifts and signage.

The red Senate chamber. There are people sitting in seats which are arranged in a U-shape around a large central table.

The Senate

DPS AUSPIC

The Senate

The red Senate chamber. There are people sitting in seats which are arranged in a U-shape around a large central table.

DPS AUSPIC

Description

The Senate is a large room with red furnishings. The seats and desks are arranged in rows in a U-shape around a large central table. There are 3 large chairs at the open end of the U-shaped seats that are elevated above the other chairs. The President of the Senate sits in one of these chairs. Senators sit in the U-shaped seats. Members of the public and the press sit observing from the balconies above the Senate

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.