Accessibility

Event: Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Conference 2024 (AITCAP)

General information

Contact name

Nicole Campbell - If information on this page isn't accessible to you, please go to: https://aitcap.getaboutable.com/aitcap-2024/accessibility-information/

Travel instructions

The Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference will mostly take place in the Sovereign Room at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. There are 2 main entrances to the MCEC: via Clarendon Street or via the Convention Centre Place. The closest entrance to the Sovereign room is the Convention Centre Place one. Alternatively, arriving from Clarendon Street, you’ll have to walk approximately 500m inside the building on a level surface to the Sovereign Room. The Humanitix formatting shows all the information as one paragraph, so to make it easier to read we have more comprehensive information including car parking and public transport on the accessibility page on our website https://aitcap.getaboutable.com/aitcap-2024/accessibility-information/#Travel_information

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 Humanitix formatting shows all the information as one paragraph, so to make it easier to read we have more comprehensive details for each entrance on our website https://aitcap.getaboutable.com/aitcap-2024/accessibility-information/#Entry_instructions

After entry instructions

Once you reach the Convention Centre Lobby (directly from the Convention Centre Place entrance, approximately 450 metres from the Clarendon Street entrance), you will need to access the first floor where the Sovereign Room is located. GetAboutAble signage will be displayed and we are happy to orientate anyone through the venue. The Humanitix formatting shows all the information as one paragraph, so to make it easier to read we have more comprehensive details about how to get to the sovereign room once you are inside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on our website https://aitcap.getaboutable.com/aitcap-2024/accessibility-information/#after_entry

Hazards

There will be a lot of people at this event. This is a risk because of COVID-19 and other diseases. We recommend you wear a mask, especially while inside. 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 outside on the terrace or down the stairs to the Convention Centre Lobby 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 from a special area so that people can find it easily. If you can’t find this area please ask someone at the registration desk or the catering staff. If you see any other hazards, or there is something you think we have missed here please tell us!

Toilet location

Multiple toilets are available throughout the MCEC. The nearest ones to the Sovereign Room will be located approximately 50 metres from it, on the same floor. These include a gender-neutral accessible bathroom with a baby change table, grab rails near the toilet, and enough room for a wheelchair. The Humanitix formatting shows all the information as one paragraph, so to make it easier to read we have more comprehensive details about the toilet facilities on our website https://aitcap.getaboutable.com/aitcap-2024/accessibility-information/#Toilets

Accessible parking

There are 20 dedicated Access car parking bays within the Melbourne Exhibition Centre Basement Car Park. All are located near doors 1, 6 and 10 which also have access to vertical lifts. You can book a car spot online at Wilson Parking. The Humanitix formatting shows all the information as one paragraph, so to make it easier to read we have more comprehensive details about parking and drop-off zone on our website https://aitcap.getaboutable.com/aitcap-2024/accessibility-information/#Parking

Auslan Interpreters and Presentations

We will have Auslan interpreters available as required for our Conference presentations. We will update this information as requests come in. Speakers will have received advice on how to make their presentations as accessible as possible, including using high-contrast colours.

MCEC Venue Virtual Tour

The MCEC venue has many accessible features and a virtual tour is accessible on their website: https://www.mcec.com.au/plan-your-visit/explore-our-venue-online

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.

Assisted hearing

The Sovereign room where the 2024 Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference will take place is equipped with TTA Hearing Assisted telephones and hearing assisted devices available to hire free of charge. To book, send a message to aitcap@getaboutable.com or call the MCEC Customer Service team on +61 3 9235 8000 preferably 1-week ahead of the event.

Wheelchair access

There are accessible toilets, ramps and lifts throughout our venue, including lift access from the car parks. Within all meeting rooms (including the Sovereign Room where our Conference will take place and the Quiet Room), entry and exit press button automatic door release panels are located on the wall next to doors. They are identified with the international blue and white symbol and use both text and Braille.

Wheelchair hire

The MCEC has a limited number of wheelchairs that can be loaned to you for the day on a first-come, first-served basis. They also have a wider wheelchair available if required. If you’d like to hire a wheelchair, call the MCEC Customer Service team on +61 3 9235 8000 or email them at enquiries@mcec.com.au.

Assistance animals

Assistance animals are welcome in any area all of the event. We will have suitable toileting areas which we will advise you of closer to the event date. To maximise comfort for both patron and animal, we suggest you contact the GetAboutAble team at aitcap@getaboutable.com to make sure we’ve set up the seating space in a way that allows easy access.

What else will happen on the day?

We will put out a program with all the events on the day. When you arrive there will be Tea and Coffee, and 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 an industry event, so people will usually be open to meeting and getting to know other people and why they are attending the event. 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.

Who to go to if you need help?

We will make sure you can identify our team members easily. You can ask any of them for help. A phone number to send text messages to will be shared with attendees closer to the event. We will have a form set up where you can also report things anonymously. This form will be managed by the AITCAP Team. Their managers will also have access to make sure there is someone you can communicate with in case there is an issue to report involving the AITCAP Team.

General Inclusion and Accessibility Policy

We are happy to meet whatever accessibility needs we can. Please contact us in advance if you need something that will require preparation, otherwise, you can approach any of our staff on the day and we will help as best we can.

Travellers Aid

Travellers Aid will be providing assistance to support people to get to and around the conference with a variety of services. The Humanitix formatting shows all the information as one paragraph, so to make it easier to read we have more comprehensive details about parking and drop-off zone on our website https://aitcap.getaboutable.com/aitcap-2024/accessibility-information/#Travellers_Aid

Can I attend the conference virtually?

Yes we are working with the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to deliver virtual access to AITCAP 2024. More information and tickets to attend online will be released in the coming months.