General physical access

• The British Embassy at Prague is a late 16th century Grade 1 listed building located at the end of a very steep and narrow cobbled street. The hill is impossible to negotiate for wheelchair-users without assistance. There are a short flight of stone steps up to the public entrance and no handrails. Access for wheelchair-users or those with limited physical mobility is through the vehicle gates. An intercom linked to the duty Security Guard is currently being fitted at the bottom of the steps to the public entrance at a height suitable for wheelchair-users;
• Steps and staircases: Some staircases in public areas (particular up to Consular Section) are very steep and consist of at least four flights with clear step edging. Other staircases are very broad with no step edging and no handrails.
• Ramps: The Embassy is not fitted with any ramps (permanent or mobile). We are looking at the possibility of purchasing a ‘Stair walker’ for wheelchair-users.
• Lifts: Lift access is available to the main part of the Embassy building and to the Residence but only between the ground and 3rd floor. However, to access the lift at the ground floor a short flight of four steps must be negotiated. Access to the 4th floor by lift is restricted by two steps at the top landing. The lift is not large enough to take a standard UK size wheelchair.
• Toilets: The Embassy has no disabled toilet facilities. There is one toilet on the 1st floor beside Reception that could be used by those with limited physical mobility.
• Parking: Parking within the Embassy courtyard is limited and restricted to official vehicles only. Requests for wheelchair-users or those with limited physical mobility to use the courtyard must be made in advance. N.B. the courtyard is cobbled and not level;
• Floor coverings: Floor coverings are generally good but some floors are wooden and tiled and due to their age are uneven.
• Handrails: There are no handrails on the steps to the main entrance or on the main staircase. There is a handrail on the stairs to Consular Section, which is fairly easy to grip.
• Doors: Doors are not easily accessible to all users. Many are quite narrow. Others are security doors and fitted with strong self-closing devices.
• Lighting: In certain parts of the building, particularly the fine rooms, lighting is provided by chandeliers and this does not always provide good lighting.
• Emergency/evacuation: There are currently no help alarms in the building and we are reviewing our evacuation policy;
• Phones: Most phones are located at a height suitable for wheelchair users.

Access for visually-impaired visitors

• Signs: Fire evacuation signs are to ISO standards. We have no signs in Braille and other signs and notices are not particularly easy to read for those with a visual impairment.
• Guide dogs: Guide dogs are welcome.

Access for Deaf/hard of hearing visitors

• Hearing loops: There are no hearing loop facilities.
• Minicom and textphones: There are no Minicom or textphone facilities.
• Sign language: No members of staff are qualified in sign language.
• Interpretation: The following organisations may be able to help with interpretation facilities:

Česká Unie Neslyšících (Czech Union for the Deaf)

Česká komora znakového jazyka (Czech Sign Language Chamber)

Contact us

Hearing dogs are welcome.