Accessibility
Event: The Australian Social Enterprise Youth Forum
General information
Travel instructions
You can get to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre by many modes of transport. For detailed information about how to get to BCEC you can visit: https://www.bcec.com.au/visit/ Travelling by Car: If you drive to the BCEC you can park in the BCEC undercover car park. There is room for up to 1500 vehicles so it is best that you get to the venue early to find a park. Parking fees are the responsibility of the attendee using the car park. The car park has direct lift access to BCEC’s multiple convention floors. Car park 2 and 3 are best for Grey Street rooms via the Russell Street Walkway. Drop-off & Pick-up points: The best drop-off and pick-up points are at the Grey Street entrance. Grey Street is the closest location and the shortest distance to the Plaza floor where the Forum is to be held. Public Transport You can use public transport to get to BCEC. You can get to BCEC by: Train South Brisbane Railway Station is adjacent to the Convention Centre on Grey Street or South Bank Railway Station are the most convenient stations to BCEC. Bus Services The Cultural Centre Station on Melbourne Street and the South Bank Busway Station, the corner of Colchester and Tribune Streets are closest to BCEC. CityCat and Ferries The public transport ferries CityCats operate every day and stop at the South Bank River Terminal on the Clem Jones Promenade. The inner-city ferry travels between the CBD, North Quay and Kangaroo Point, stopping at South Bank Terminals 1 and 2 on the Clem Jones Promenade. You can visit https://translink.com.au/ to help plan your journey to the BCEC via public transport. Taxi Ranks Taxi ranks are located outside the main entrance to the Centre on Merivale Street. A taxi drop-off is located at the Convention Centre Grey Street entrance. Walking Distance BCEC is a short stroll across from the Brisbane CBD connected by Victoria Bridge. Hotels, restaurants & bars, South Bank beach and its parklands are all within walking distance from BCEC.
Entry instructions
The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) is located between Grey Street and Merivale Street, South Brisbane. The Social Enterprise World Forum will be held on the fourth floor called the ‘Plaza’ Level in the Convention Centre of the building. Each floor has a colour code: - Ground Floor: Grey Street - First Floor: Arbour (grey carpet) - Second Floor: Boulevard (green carpet) - Third Floor: Concord (orange carpet) - Fourth Floor: Plaza (red carpet) Escalators or accessible lifts can take you up or down to all floors.
After entry instructions
The main entrance to the Youth Forum and SEWF is located at Grey Street, closest to the South Bank precinct. Four steps from the footpath will lead you to the main entry automatic doors. Russell Walk is the closest adjoining street which allows access to all car parks. There is a drop-off area outside of the entrance on Grey Street. Venue Location and Access Map: https://www.bcec.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Location_and_Access_Map_2022.pdf The lower foyer has lifts/elevators past the registration desk on your left of the entrance, that provide access to all levels of the building. Escalators are also located to your right, at the end of the foyer past the cafe. These escalators are located throughout each level on the Grey street side. SEWF22 is located on the Plaza level, on the fourth floor.
Toilet location
There are accessible unisex toilets located throughout BCEC building. You can follow the signs throughout the building or ask BCEC, White Box Enterprises staff and volunteers for directions to the nearest bathroom that suits your need. All accessible toilets have hand basins and are fitted with handrails with a monitored emergency duress system installed. Accessible toilets are also located in the parenting rooms, change-rooms, medical centres, VIP and Hospitality Suites. The toilets have both paper towels and automatic hand dryers. You might need to wear my noise-cancelling headphones if you find automatic hand dryers too loud.
Assistant animals
Guide dogs and registered assistance animals are welcome in all areas of the venue as per legislation requirements. We ask attendees to have valid certification for service animals in the form of a valid assistance animal identification card, pass or permit and that their service animal is clearly identified with either an assistance dog harness, a coat, cape or vest, or an identification badge or medallion. Attendees with service animals on-site at the event assume complete responsibility for their animal for the duration of their visit. Because uncertified therapy/emotional support/companion animals are not included in the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992, they do not meet the legal definition of an assistance animal and do not have the same public access rights. These animals may be refused entry.
Emergencies
Frontline staff are trained to respond to emergency situations. BCEC staff will assist in the event of a fire alarm or other emergency. If the Centre has to be evacuated, public address system announcements will be made and audible alarms will sound.
First Aid
BCEC security personnel are trained as first responders in fire/safety and first aid emergencies including the use of on-site defibrillators. The Centre has 2 fully-equipped first aid rooms.
Foyers & Corridors
All foyers and corridors are sufficiently wide and are kept clear for easy wheelchair and pedestrian access. Resting spots are available in all concourses and foyer areas. Loose lounge seating is available in these areas.
Hearing loop
Complimentary hearing augmentation devices (hearing loops) are available to guests at the Information Service desks located on the Ground Floor of the Grey Street entrance. Hearing loops are available on request. Please let us know if you will require this service. Infra-red emitted hearing augmentation systems are in place in all meeting rooms and theatres, including the Plaza Auditorium and the Plaza Ballroom. Larger rooms on the Plaza Level – in particular, the Plaza Ballroom and Plaza Auditorium, are fitted with loops in required areas and are activated on request.
Information Desk
Information Desks are centrally located on the Ground Level Foyer at BCEC on Grey Street and are operational to suit event requirements.
Lifts/Elevators
Lifts and escalators connect all levels of the building and are fitted with audio information and braille buttons. Each lift is fitted with an emergency button and an emergency telephone and has audible and visual cues to indicate floor levels.
Stairs & Ramps
Stairs and escalators have handrails and slip-resistant surfaces. All stairs have handrails and comply with building standards for height and consistency. Ramps are safe and non-slip. There is good colour definition between walls, doorways & floor coverings in all areas.
Signage
Digital signage will ensure the colours have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 (https://www.visionaustralia.org/business-consulting/digital-access/resources/colour-contrast-analyser) to ensure the text is still readable to those who may have colour blindness. Directional signage will be clear and easy to read and main signage, including lifts, have braille tactile indicators. Directional signs for public amenities incorporate the universal symbol for access.
Wheelchairs
A limited number of wheelchairs are available for hire free of charge. Wheelchairs can be collected from the information service desk on the Ground Floor of the Grey Street entrance. Wheelchairs may be borrowed on a first-come, first-served basis, free of charge, for use within the building. The wheelchairs are manually operated and **may not be taken outside of the building.** Wheelchair ramps to the stage will be provided and comply with Australian Standards. There are a number of wheelchair and companion seating locations in the Plaza Auditorium. Access to these seating areas will be clearly marked. Please let the organisers know if you require accessible seating. Where physical assistance is required please consider providing your own carer. BCEC employees are not permitted to physically assist patrons with wheelchairs, walkers or other aids. Where physical assistance is required this must be provided by the patron’s carer.
Housekeeping and Wayfinding
The emcee/event host will provide a verbal explanation of the layout of the venue at the start of the event. This will include the layout of the room and directions to toilets, meal areas, breakout rooms and fire exits.
Audio-visual
Lapel microphones or wireless / hand-held microphones will be provided for speakers and panellists. Closed captioning will be made available on the Hopin virtual platform. Closed captioning will be available on the Hopin platform on a laptop or tablet device. Unfortunately, the Hopin platform is yet to integrate closed captioning on mobile devices.
Sign-Language Interpreters
The in-person experience will feature AUSLAN interpreters on stage. The main stage is the Plaza Ballroom and the interpreter will stand on stage as well as to be projected onto the big screen. The second main stage is the Plaza Auditorium and the interpreter will stand on stage but will not be projected onto a big screen. It is recommended to sit in seats closer to the stage to have a line of sight of the interpreter. Interpreters will be positioned in a well-lit area and clearly visible to the audience.
Presentations
All videos will be captioned. Videos will be audio described where appropriate. If they cannot be audio described, the presenter will supply any visual information that a person with low vision may not be able to access. Presenters should describe any visual information in their presentations. Presentations will ensure the colours have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 (https://www.visionaustralia.org/business-consulting/digital-access/resources/colour-contrast-analyser) to ensure the text is still readable to those who may have colour blindness.
Room arrangements
Reserve seats in front will be available to enable a clear view for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Provide sufficient space between tables will be made available for wheelchair access. Table heights will be accessible to wheelchair users and people of short stature. This includes refreshment tables and buffets. For standing events, chairs for people who may experience fatigue will be provided.
Sensory information
During your visit to the Social Enterprise World Forum, you might have different sensory experiences. These include: - Areas with echo - Very bright areas - Very dark areas - Very loud areas - People clapping - Calm, quiet areas - Visually stimulating artwork - Lots of natural light and glare - Overlapping sounds of multiple people talking in social spaces - Crowding (especially at meal times and between speaker sessions)
Quiet Room
Quiet Room Sometimes an event environment can be overwhelming to the senses, therefore a dedicated Quiet Room will be available for all Youth Forum and SEWF22 attendees. - It is available for guests who require taking a break in a warm, calm and ambient room. - This room is not for personal meetings or gatherings. - A mindfulness and meditation session will take place at 1:15pm on day two of the SEWF conference. Big thanks for the support of Australian Spatial Analytics and Circonomy in making the Quiet Room possible.
Who to ask for help if you need it
You can ask any of the BCEC staff, White Box Enterprises staff or SEWF volunteers for help if you need it. SEWF volunteers will be wearing **red t-shirts** with the SEWF and White Box Enterprises logos printed on them. They will wear a black lanyard with a wooden name tag with the word CREW or STAFF. Some White Box Enterprises staff may or may not be wearing the red t-shirts.