UbiComp / ISWC 2024
Accessibility FAQ
Questions
Here is a list of questions answered on the below page. Feel free to click on the questions to jump directly to them.
- How do I communicate accessibility needs to UbiComp-ISWC organizers?
- Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?
- Will sign language interpretation or live captioning be available?
- What are the taxi and public transport options for getting to the conference venue?
- Who can I ask about accessibility in Melbourne, Australia?
- Can a student volunteer assist me during the conference?
- What is the conference space like?
- Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?
- What are the restroom facilities like?
- What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?
- Can I bring my guide dog or service animal?
- Can I attend the conference by robot?
- How much walking or standing will be needed?
- Will there be an induction loop in the meeting rooms?
- Will speakers and audience members asking questions be using a microphone?
- What food service will be provided?
- Can the conference accommodate special dietary needs?
- Will the main conference reception be accessible?
- Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?
- Will there be loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, or other strong sensory experiences?
- Will there be a designated quiet space at the conference?
- What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during the conference?
How do I communicate accessibility needs to UbiComp-ISWC organizers?
The Inclusion & Scholarships chairs for UbiComp-ISWC have the goal to ensure the conference is accessible to everyone. When you register for the conference, there will be a registration question labeled โDo you have a disability or special need which requires our awareness?โ. In your response, please indicate any accessibility needs such as wheelchair access, sign language interpretation, or a guide. The Accessibility Chair will follow up with you to clarify your needs. You can contact them directly at any time via email.
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Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?
If there is specific accessibility information you would like to see here, or if you wish to discuss any conference accessibility requirements, please contact the Inclusion chairs.
Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?
TBD
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Who can I ask about accessibility in Melbourne?
A number of accessibility guides are available for visitors to Melbourne and Victoria. You may find these guides helpful:
Can a student volunteer assist me during the conference?
Student volunteers will be available to assist attendees with disabilities with navigation, meal service, or other accessibility needs. If you will need volunteer assistance at the conference, please indicate this on your conference registration form.
Attendees who require personal care assistance should bring their own assistant. Personal care assistants also need to register for the conference, but the conference will provide free registration for them. Please reach out to the Registration Chairs at registration-2024@ubicomp.org to request personal care assistant complementary registration.
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What is the conference space like?
For overall information about the conference venue, please refer to the Sofitel website. The page shows photos of the rooms, floor plans, and a virtual tour. The UbiComp/ISWC conference will be mainly located on the hotel’s conference floor.
In case of an emergency and call for evacuation, the conference center staff and the professional conference staff will assist and orient people with disabilities (e.g., blind and visually impaired attendees, people with hearing impairments) to safety.
Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?
Yes, the conference will be accessible to wheelchair users. The venue has elevators and ramps to all areas where attendees will be meeting.
We have a ramp to every stage for presenters who use wheelchairs. Poster and demo sessions will have space for a wheelchair to move between the posters.
In case of an emergency and call for evacuation, Public safety officers will assist and orient people with disabilities (e.g., blind and visually impaired attendees, people with hearing impairments) to safety.
For more information about accessibility at Sofitel, contact the inclusion chairs.
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What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?
If you are a presenter and need a ramp up to the stage, please know that all stages will have ramps and allow for easy access. Please still let the Inclusion chairs know about your need as soon as possible ideally during the registration process and before August 30th, so we can make sure that all needs are addressed.
Poster sessions will have space for a wheelchair to move between the posters.
If you would like a student volunteer to operate slides or guide you onto and off the stage, or have other accessibility requests please contact the Inclusion chairs by August 30th.
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Can I bring my guide dog or service animal?
Yes! Guide dogs and service cats are welcome at UbiComp-ISWC. The hotel will not allow more exotic service animals. Please indicate on your registration form and before August 30th if you anticipate bringing a service animal to the conference, and we will provide a relief area with water available. Service animals will need to be harnessed, leashed or tethered at all times. While there is no space specifically reserved for guide dogs, we will provide information about close-by pet-friendly areas.
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Can I attend the conference by robot?
We are sorry, but UbiComp-ISWC will not be able to accommodate remote attendance by robot.
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Will speakers and audience members asking questions be using a microphone?
Yes, microphones will be used for all speakers. We will remind all session chairs to enforce their use on equity grounds.
Attendees with questions will be requested to use a microphone so that their question is more easily heard.
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What food service will be provided?
The conference will provide refreshments and snacks in morning and afternoon breaks during the pre-conference and main conference days. A lunch buffet will be provided every day during the main conference.
There will also be appetizers and refreshments being served at the evening reception.
If you have special dietary needs, it is very important that you indicate these clearly on your registration form.
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Can the conference accommodate special dietary needs?
Yes. Attendees who indicate special dietary requirements or allergies on their registration form will be provided with special options by the conference catering. Specific protocols and options will be made available prior to the conference.
If you have any specific need, or a severe allergy please indicate this on your registration form.
Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?
The entire conference venue is a no-smoking area.
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What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during the conference?
You are strongly advised to purchase travel or health insurance during your visit to Australia, since a visit to the hospital may be expensive. In case of any emergency please contact the conference staff or hotel staff, which will ensure that paramedics will be directed to assist in the right area immediately.
In Australia, the emergency phone number is 000. In case of need of hospitalization, there are a number of nearby public hospitals that can attend to your needs. The closest hospital to the conference venue is St. Vincent’s hospital.
If you require non-urgent medical care, please contact the Inclusion chairs or ask any student volunteer. They will provide you with information about local doctors, specialists, chiropractors, etc.
Once again, buying travel insurance that covers medical expenses is strongly recommended as fees for emergency treatment can be very high.
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