“The Riga Psychiatric and Narcological Centre (RPNC) is today the largest psychiatric and narcological treatment facility in the country. It was established as such on 1 March 2007. In Riga, a sympathetic attitude towards the mentally ill was already developing in the Middle Ages. There were quite a lot of them, so there was a need to accommodate the weak in one place. A hospital was established in 1786 in the Riga Fortress, but conditions were so deplorable that the Russian Emperor Alexander I, on seeing it in 1818, was deeply disgusted and ordered a new institution to be built. The site was found on the right bank of the Sarkandaugava Canal, on a steep cliff from which Russian troops under Prince Alexander Menshikov cannonaded the unruly city during the 1710 siege of Riga. This is the origin of the name of Alexander Heights, which the institution acquired after the opening of the new building on 21 September 1824.

Due to the nature of the medical services on the site, accessibility should be assessed on a building by building and amenity by amenity basis. The site survey focused on the usability of the different buildings (accessible only to staff, visitors or clients), signage, road surfaces and topography. The assistance of an assistant is recommended when moving around the site. Indoor accessibility of buildings was not surveyed and assessed (due to the specific nature of the institution). There is parking for disabled people. Reconstruction of older buildings is planned. Accessibility in newer buildings is ensured. Maps and information signs are displayed in the area.