The House of Assembly celebrated what Speaker Stanley Lowe described as "momentous occasion" on Friday when two wheelchair users used a new elevator to reach the public gallery.

South African advocate for disabled and human rights Shuaib Chalklen and fellow wheelchair user Keith Simmons, from Devonshire, listened to the evening's debate after using the facility instead of having to negotiate three flights of steps.

Mr. Simmons told The Royal Gazette: "It's great. It's long-overdue. It's been fought for for a number of years. It was great for us to be the first official users. I'm sure others will use it to be recognised and show that they are interested in the workings of the country."

He expressed his hope that more public buildings would now follow suit by addressing disabled access and thanked Dame Jennifer Smith for steering the elevator project to fruition through the House and Grounds Committee.