Special assistance: in the terminal
Facilities for the hard of hearing, blind and partially sighted
Induction loops are found in various locations throughout the airport (look for signs showing the 'sympathetic ear' symbol). Payphones and credit card telephones are available in all parts of the airport and are adapted for hearing aids. There are also text payphones in the arrivals area of each terminal, after exiting Customs.
Guide and hearing dogs are the only dogs allowed in the terminal buildings. The airport's directional signs are black on yellow, providing optimum contrast to assist all users.
Reserved seating areas
Reserved seating areas, identified by the use of special needs pictograms, are located in all terminals within the general seating areas. They aim to have the following features:
- Low-level flight information screens.
- An induction loop.
- Arms on both sides of seats.
- Space for wheelchair users.
Security checks
Our security staff are obliged to carry out a hand-search whenever a passenger activates the archway metal detector alarm. If you are a wheelchair user, that’s likely to be the case. We recognise that it may be more suitable to have this search carried out away from the main search area, so please don’t hesitate to request this if you’d prefer it.
Toilets
Most toilet blocks include a unisex accessible toilet nearby. Occasionally the accessible toilet is located inside the men's and ladies' toilets. Parents travelling with children of the opposite sex are welcome to use the unisex accessible toilets.
For further enquiries about special needs assistance at Heathrow Airport please call 0844 335 1801 (UK only). If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please call the Heathrow minicom service on +44 (0)20 8745 7950.
