Accessibility

Event: A11y Camp Australia 2024

General information

Contact name

Julia Svaganovic

Contact number

camp@a11ybytes.org

Travel instructions

There are 2 entrances to the Melbourne Convention And Exhibition Centre, one from Clarendon Street and one from Convention Centre Place. You can get to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre via public transport (tram, train or bus). There are also vehicle drop-off zones and accessible car parking.

Entry instructions

There are two ways to enter the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, one from the Clarendon Street and the one from the Convention Centre Place end of the building. The Clarendon Street entrance is the closest to A11y Camp, the Convention Centre Place entrance is about 500 m from where A11y Camp will take place.

After entry instructions

Once you reach the Clarendon Street entrance, you will need to access the first floor where the Clarendon Auditorium is located. A11y Camp signage will be displayed, and we are happy to orientate anyone through the venue. There is also a customer service desk as you come in the Clarendon Street entrance, who can also help direct you to the Clarendon Auditorium.

Hazards

There will be a lot of people at this event. This is a risk because of COVID-19 and other viruses. Having many people around could also be a hazard in terms of navigating spaces. If you need space away from other people, you can go downstairs to the MCEC lobby or outside the lobby where there is seating and a grassed area on the right of the building or use our quiet room. If you have a food allergy or need other types of special food, please let us know in advance. These meals will be served in a special area so that people can find them easily. If you can’t find this area, please ask someone at the registration desk or the catering staff. If you see other hazards or think we missed something here, please let us know.

Toilet location

Multiple toilets are available throughout MCEC. The nearest ones to the Clarendon Auditorium are located approximately 6 metres from it, on the same floor. These include two gender neutral rooms of regular toilets, one with stalls and one with stalls and urinals. There are accessible toilets on the ground floor of MCEC.

Accessible parking

There are 20 dedicated accessible car parking bays within the Melbourne Exhibition Centre Basement Car Park, the car park entry is located on Normanby Road. All accessible car parks are located near doors 1, 6 and 10 which also have access to vertical lifts. You can book a discounted car spot online at Wilson Parking. Accessible car parking bays often fill up quickly, so we highly recommend pre-booking. https://www.wilsonparking.com.au/parking-locations/victoria/southbank/melbourne-exhibition-centre-car-park/ The nearest door to the Clarendon Auditorium is Door 1.

Conference content

Auslan interpretation and Live Captioning will be available. Please let us know if through the registration process if you require Auslan interpretation. Speakers will be advised on how to make their presentations as accessible as possible, including using high-contrast colours.

Companion Cards

A11y Camp accepts Companion Cards and will provide free registration for your support person. When you register for A11y Camp, you will be able to indicate if you require a companion ticket.

Hidden Disability Sunflower

We recognise Sunflower lanyards and buttons for hidden disabilities. Please don’t hesitate to approach staff, who will be identifiable by their T-shirts with A11y Camp in large letters on the front, if you need some extra help.

Assistance animals

Assistance animals are welcome in any area of A11y Camp. There is a suitable area for toileting nearby and we can direct you to it. We are happy to orientate anyone in the building. To maximise comfort for handler and animal, we suggest you contact the A11y Camp team at camp@a11ybytes.org to make sure we’ve set up the seating space in a way that allows easy access.

Wheelchair access and hire

There are accessible toilets, ramps and lifts throughout our venue, including lift access from the car parks. The MCEC has a limited number of wheelchairs that can be loaned.

Vision impairment

Braille is provided on all room door signage and fixed directional signage throughout the venue. MCEC is guide dog friendly and welcomes any registered assistance dogs into all areas of the building.

What else will happen on the day?

We will put a program with all the events for the day on our website and send it to all registered attendees. When you arrive, there will be a chance to talk to other attendees. There will also be breaks for morning tea, afternoon tea, and lunch. These breaks will have food and drinks provided. This is a community event, so people will usually be open to meeting and getting to know other people. It’s okay to approach other people and introduce yourself if they are not already busy in another conversation or on their phone. There will be a short session concluding the day, but it’s okay to leave the event at any point during the day. There is no sign-out process, you can just leave when you are ready.

Dietary requirements

When you register for A11y Camp Australia via the Humanitix Platform, you will be able to indicate your dietary requirements which we will communicate to the catering company. Meals compatible with dietary restrictions will be served from a special area so that people can find them easily. If you can’t find this area, please ask one of our staff or the catering staff. If you have other requirements, don’t hesitate to contact us by email camp@a11ybytes.org

Can I attend the conference virtually?

Yes, we are working with the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to deliver virtual access to A11y Camp Australia 2024. Please email camp@a11ybytes.org for more information.