RSU library premises are now more accessible

To make Rīga Stradiņš University premises more accessible to students and other patrons with disabilities, in December 2018 a lift was launched in the library, located in the main building, providing library users with added access between floors. On the first floor the lift can be accessed via the Open Access Loan area, while on the second floor – access is via the Reading Room. Also, the books from the Reading Room on the second floor can now also be read in the Open Access Loan Reading Rooms on the first floor.

The lift is accessible in the Library Information Centre (Block G, 2nd Floor) during working hours:

• Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 8:30–20:00 (January and May – until 21:00);
• Fridays 8:30–19:00;
• Saturdays 10:00–17:00.

The initiator of this solution to improve access to the library premises is the long-standing head of the library, Ināra Aploka. Construction costs totalled 105 thousand euros that were covered from the university’s own funds.

The majority of RSU buildings designated for the study process are accessible to people with disabilities. In those university buildings that have undergone reconstruction, the built environment is gradually being made increasingly accessible, in compliance with construction standards. The RSU Medical Education Technology Centre, launched in 2013, received an award from the Ministry of Welfare for a disability friendly environment. The recently opened RSU hostel at Dārza iela is also adjusted to the needs of students with special needs – the hostel offers wheelchair accessible rooms.

The next RSU infrastructure project to improve the accessibility of the built environment is the reconstruction of the lift, located on the RSU Institute of Stomatology premises at 20 Dzirciema iela, to be undertaken in 2019. Currently, the design stage of the lift construction is in progress as well as ensuring that the built environment in the historical building of the RSU Anatomical Theatre at 9 Kronvalda bulvāris is accessible. Construction works are scheduled to be completed in 2020.