Accessibility and Diversity

e-mail us at accessiblity@chiplay.acm.org

Welcome to the CHI PLAY Community! Our goal is to be welcoming of all peoples regardless or gender, orientation, ability, beliefs, or other factors. We hope that our implementations meet this goal, we welcome your feedback on how to make our community warm and welcoming.

ACM Commitment to Accessibility

If you require additional considerations (e.g. interpreter, quiet room access, or other) please let us know in advance of the conference (by the early registration deadline).

The Venue

Care has been taken to ensure the venue is accessible. The spaces in use are all accessible through wheelchair ramps and/or elevators. There are special areas for wheelchairs in the auditorium.

Map of Poblenou Campus. The map outlines the main entrance from the street (Roc Boronat street) and indicates the position of the escalator and elevator (through the lobby to the right for the elevator and straight ahead for the escalator). Upstairs is shown to have a washroom (to the left when exiting the elevator), the canteen (forward when exiting from the elevator) and the coffee/lunch area (past the canteen when exiting the elevator and to the left). The presentations are located at the back of the room and can be accessed by crossing the canteen, past the escalators. Two additional washrooms are located to either side of the auditorium presentation space.

The City

In this iteration of the conference series, we travel to beautiful Barcelona. The Barcelona Tourism site has made available a list of friendly places for people with varying abilities.

City Safety

Exercise general caution around the city. Remember to guard your belongings in crowded places which may be home to pickpockets. Conceal valuable items when not in use. Bring a friend walking around a night.

Badges

This year we are implementing pronouns on badges. This originates from our commitment to diversity. The idea behind adding your pronouns is to reduce assumptions about one’s identity.

Cool Down Break Rooms

Rooms will be provided for quiet time, breaks, or conversations for those who need a quiet space in which to conduct meetings.

Information for Caregivers

Caregivers in need of access to special accommodations should contact the accessibility chairs by the early registration deadline. Caregivers are welcome to use the break room as needed.

Dietary Restrictions

Dietary Restrictions will be able to be specified at the time of registration.

CHI PLAY Accessibility FAQ

CHI PLAY is committed to providing an inclusive environment and we will do our best to accommodate requests for special assistance. This page describes the accessibility features of CHI PLAY, to help you make an informed decision about whether the conference will be accessible to you. Please contact us if your question is not answered here, or if the conference arrangements as described are not enough to allow you to attend. We will work with you to the best of our ability, to make the conference accessible.

Contents



How do I communicate accessibility needs to CHI PLAY organizers?

The Accessibility Chair for CHI PLAY is Rina R. Wehbe & Joshua Newn, whose goal is to ensure the conference is accessible to everyone. When you register for the conference, there will be a registration question labeled “Do you have a disability or special need which requires our awareness?”. 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 by emailing accessiblity@chiplay.acm.org.

Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?

More information about accessibility at Poblenou Campus, 22@ District is available on their accessibility information page.

Please contact the venue on (+34) 93 542 20 00 to discuss your specific needs with the venue directly.

If there is specific accessibility information you would like to see here, or if you wish to discuss any conference accessibility requirements, please contact our Accessibility Chair, Rina R. Wehbe & Joshua Newn by email: accessiblity@chiplay.acm.org, and someone will respond to you shortly.

Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?

The conference will provide a team of sign language interpreters or captioners if requested by any attendees during the early registration period. Please make your request as early as possible. Our Accessibility Chair will follow up with you to discuss your needs in more detail. After Early Registration Deadline (the deadline for early registration), a best effort will be made to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee that interpreters or captioners will be available.

What are the taxi and public transport options for getting to the conference venue?

From Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, the easiest way to get to the Poblenou Campus, 22@ District is Public Transportation (R2N & N7) or Private Taxi

Recommended options for getting to the conference include:

Public Transportation (R2N & N7) or Private Taxi

  • Route: from Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, 08820 El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain to Carrer de Roc Boronat, 138, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
  • Pickup point: Outside the arrivals area
  • Cost: Please check directly with the vendor
  • Time: Please check directly with the vendor
  • Wheelchair accessibility: Please check directly with the vendor
  • Service animals: Please check directly with the vendor
  • Book: Please check directly with the vendor

Who can I ask about accessibility in Barcelona ?

For information about Barcelona accessibility, including public transport, go to online accessibility information or contact Barcelona Accessible at http://www.barcelona-access.com/ACCESSIBLE/Altres-p%C3%A0gines/Varis-Contacta/_XHxTrasl4-ariNVK5OjsymHrkdjk15ZA5KUhfxICA9QXXT-UbtiDfw.

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 do not need to register for the conference. If the assistant will be having food and drink provided by the conference during coffee/tea breaks, lunches, and/or the reception, we ask that these be added into the attendee’s registration at the ‘extra options’ stage of the registration process.

What is the conference space like?

For the overall layout of the venue, please refer to this map of the conference space.

For a full description of our conference venues please see https://chiplay.acm.org/2019/the-conference-venue/

There are contingencies for any person with reduced mobility, in case of emergency or during day-to-day operations (someone will take care that they can get in/out of the venue, accompany them to elevators and the conference area, etc.). Please see this PDF file for additional information.

Please see our other FAQs for more details about wheelchair or power scooter access, provisions for presenters, restrooms, walking and steps, and facilities for assistance animals.

Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?

Yes, the conference will be accessible to wheelchair users. The main conference will take place in the auditorium. Only the corridors at left-right of the auditorium are a bit like a ramp (not completely even, but upwards/downwards). Once you reach the auditorium hall, everything conference-related can be accessed through halls/corridors.

There is no ramp to the stage in the auditorium itself. You reach the stage through an alternative door at the back.

There are contingencies for any person with reduced mobility, in case of emergency or during day-to-day operations (someone will take care that they can get in/out of the venue, accompany them to elevators and the conference area, etc.). Please see this PDF file for additional information.

For more information about wheelchair accessibility at Poblenou Campus, 22@ District, please contact {{venue_contact}} on (+34) 93 542 20 00 .

We are still gathering information on wheelchair access to the offsite events. Please contact us directly with any questions.

What are the restroom facilities like?

The restrooms will be gender neutral (please ignore the gendered restroom signs in lieu of this rule). Paper signs will be used as a reminder to share these spaces.

What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?

The stage has a back door entrance making it accessible for all presenters.

There is no ramp to the stage in the auditorium itself. You reach the stage through an alternative door at the back.

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 Rina R. Wehbe & Joshua Newn at accessiblity@chiplay.acm.org by Early Registration Deadline.

Can I bring my guide dog?

Yes! Guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at CHI PLAY. There will be a relief area with water available. For pet relief please exit the venue. See map here: https://www.upf.edu/web/campus/campus-poblenou. Please indicate on your registration form if you anticipate bringing a service animal to the conference.

Can I attend the conference by robot?

We are sorry, but CHI PLAY will not be able to accommodate remote attendance by robot.

How much walking or standing will be needed?

The conference will require minimal walking since it mainly takes place in the auditorium of the building. The elevator is about 30m to the auditorium entrance. The major social events of the conference may take place offsite. Detailed information on these venue locations may be found here. https://chiplay.acm.org/2019/the-conference-venue/

Disseny Hub Barcelona is also a listed venue provider. Please see the following website for more information about this venue: http://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/dissenyhub/en

Please contact Rina R. Wehbe & Joshua Newn at accessiblity@chiplay.acm.org as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.

Will there be an induction loop in the meeting rooms?

Unfortunately, we do not have induction loops.

Will speakers and audience members asking questions be using a microphone?

Yes, microphones will be used for all speakers. Attendees with questions will be requested to use a microphone so that their question is more easily heard.

What food service will be provided?

The conference will provide buffet lunches and refreshments at breaks. Dishes will be labeled. For more detailed information please contact TBD. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate these clearly on your registration form.

Can the conference accommodate special dietary needs?

Yes. Attendees who indicate special dietary requirements on their registration form will be provided with special meals when the conference catering does not accommodate them. If you have a severe allergy please indicate this on your registration form. For more detailed information please contact TBD.

Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?

The entire conference venue is a no-smoking area. To smoke, please leave the conference area to the surrounding city.

Will there be loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, or other strong sensory experiences?

Participants will be requested not to use flash photography or to wear strong scents. Please indicate on your registration form if there are specific items you would like to know about in advance.

We are still gathering information on sensory demands of the offsite events and availability of quiet places.

Please contact Rina R. Wehbe & Joshua Newn at accessiblity@chiplay.acm.org as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.

Will there be a designated quiet space at the conference?

We hope to be able to provide a quiet space at the conference. Please contact us if you are planning to attend the conference and may need such a space.

What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during the conference?

In case of emergency call 112 (further information here: https://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_city_guide/all_about/useful_numbers) for an ambulance. Hospital del Mar, 3.3km If you require non-urgent medical care, please contact Rina R. Wehbe & Joshua Newn at accessiblity@chiplay.acm.org or ask any student volunteer. They will provide you with information about local doctors, specialists, chiropractors, etc. For non-resident attendees, buying travel insurance that covers medical expenses is strongly recommended as fees for emergency treatment can be very high.



This FAQ has been generated using the Accessibility FAQ Generator tool provided by ACM SIGACCESS. Event organizers are welcome to modify and reuse this template for other events. Please contact SIGACCESS for more information.