For our 2023 Congress, we have paid particular attention to inclusion and accessibility. We want to break down the barriers to Congress attendance to people from all over the world.
We have worked closely with the Charleston team to make sure all dietary requirements are catered for and will be clearly signposted. All food suppliers have full lists of allergens and, if you can't see the information you need, will be able to provide advice on ingredients and food preparation conditions.
Congresses are full of opportunities to learn and experience new things, but they are also rich in stimulation, and with the constant outward facing and switched on nature they can also be overwhelming, exhausting and triggering, both mentally and physically.
We will have a dedicated quiet space which we are calling our Quiet Room in Room 4, on the second floor of the Congress Centre (it will be signposted in the venue) where you can take some quiet time to reground before returning to the congress activities. No devices, talking, eating or food will be allowed so that the space is truly welcoming and calming for all please.
Whether you're joining the Congress virtually or attending in-person, we want to make sure you understand what's being said. For this Congress, we are trialling a live translation service, called Wordly. You'll be able to translate from the English of the presentations to your first language. We'll be working in the background to make sure the translation is as accurate as possible, but as this is our first time, please share any feedback you have on how well it works for you.
We are arranging shuttles from the various hotels to the Congress venue and to and from the other venues we are using over the course of the week. More information is available on the relevant page of our website.
We're trying to make sure we have the right kind of transport to meet your needs, including transport options that facilitate wheelchair use. If you use a wheelchair or other mobility aid that doesn't enable you to access a standard car or mini-bus, please make sure you let us know so we can make sure the correct vehicle is available for your transport between venues.
Our Congress venue is The Charleston Area Convention Center. It is a very accessible building. In one of our lecture halls, there is no elevated stage, in the other one, there are ramps to the stage. There is step-free access at the front door and lifts (elevators) to the second floor. You can find more accessibility on the Convention Center website. You can also use this virtual tour to familiarise yourself with the layout of the venue before you travel. It includes the Convention Centre and the Embassy Suites Hotel.
We have created a Wellbeing page, which includes information about our quiet room as well as details of walks and cycle rides in the surrounding area. You can find it here.
Our Information page and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) contain a great deal more information about the Congress, local information and what to expect. We hope you find it helpful.
