Accessibility at the conference
Find out how we are trying to make the conference accessible for all.
We are committed to making the conference as accessible as we can to all delegates, in person and online.
If you have any questions about accessibility at the conference that are not covered below, please contact us.
Online spaces
The online programme and virtual platform will be provided by Ex Ordo.
Virtual sessions will be hosted using Zoom. We will have live automated closed captions enabled in all sessions by default. Instructions on how to access this on your device are available here (you can also ensure that these are not displayed, if they would be distracting to you). You can also find out more about accessibility features in Zoom here.
Captioning of session recordings
Session recordings will be auto-captioned before upload.
Guidance on making presentations accessible
There is guidance about how to make your presentation more accessible here.
Asynchronous content
To help delegates make the most of the opportunities provided by the virtual platform, we strongly encourage session organisers and presenters to upload content in advance and, if hybrid or virtual, to record their sessions for delegates to watch afterwards. Uploading content in advance is also a good back-up option in case of technical difficulties. Both options are entirely opt-in, but we hope that many of you will take the chance to share your research with other delegates who may not be able to attend live owing to time-zones or other commitments.
Sign language interpretation
Britihs sign language interpretation can be provided upon request, in-person or in online sessions.
Please include this as a request with your conference registration, or email the organisers to request this.
Hearing loop
At the RGS-IBG, the Ondaatje Theatre is equipped with a hearing loop. We also have a portable hearing loop for use in the other rooms, available on request.
Please see the AccessAble guidance for Imperial College London for information on hearing loops at ICL.
Venue accessibility
The following section provides information on accessing buildings and rooms during the conference.
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Wheelchair spaces are available in all conference rooms, with the exception of the Director's Office and the Council Room, which are not wheelchair accessible. A hearing loop is available in the Ondaatje Theatre and other rooms on request.
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Personal assistants can be accommodated at the conference — please contact us if you require a personal assistant to be in attendance.
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Registered assistance dogs are welcome.
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An accessible toilet is available in all buildings at the conference.
Accessibility at the RGS-IBG
The RGS-IBG building has an accessible entrance onto Exhibition Road.
The following rooms at the Society are flat-level rooms (or have flat-level space for wheelchair users), and are fully accessible via either a lift or stairlift:
- Ondaatje Theatre
- Education Centre
- Lowther Room
- Drayson Room
- Sunley Room
- Map Room
- Tea Room
- Foyle Reading Room
- Members' Room
The Marquee and Main Hall are also fully accessible.
The Director's Office and Council Room are not yet accessible to wheelchair users. If you have concerns about accessing these rooms, contact us prior to the conference.
Find more information on visiting the Society
Accessibility at Imperial College
Find detailed information about accessibility at Imperial College London buildings on AccessAble, or click on the links under each building listed above.
Getting to and around London
For getting to London, if you are travelling by rail, the Rail Europe website has information about accessible train travel in the UK. You may also want to look at the Passenger Assist pages on the National Rail Enquiries website.
The Transport for London website has information about getting around London.
Complimentary support registration
If you wish to be accompanied at the conference, please contact us to let us know so we can arrange an appropriate complimentary registration.
Quiet spaces
We will have quiet space available for decompression at the in-person conference. These can be found in the Foyle Reading Room and the Members Room. We will also have quiet private space available (e.g. for breastfeeding, or for prayer). Please ask one of the conference team for assistance.
Catering
We will be serving only vegetarian and vegan food, with gluten-free and allergy sensitive options. Please make use of the questions on conference registration to make us aware of any dietary requirements.
Crèche
We offer registered conference delegates attending in person a crèche service for children up to 12 years old. The crèche is provided by Little Hens Childcare, an Ofsted-registered provider, whose staff are all first aid-trained, reference-checked, and DBS-checked.
Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to delegates who have completed their registration to attend the conference.