Our aim is to make CALC a role model for other conferences in terms of accessibility and inclusivity for all delegates. To this end, we want to provide specific information regarding accessibility to all potential delegates and speakers. This list is non-exhaustive and further detail on accessibility and inclusivity arrangements will be included in our Conference Code of Conduct.
While we have tried to consider as many elements of accessibility as possible, the limits of our own experience and those we have consulted with and the diversity of individuals’ needs mean it is inevitable there will be some things we have not already accommodated for. Please don’t take this to mean we can’t do so and feel free to contact us using calcconference@gmail.com and we can discuss your individual requirements and what we might be able to do to suit these.
All speakers are provided with guidance and opportunities for training on improving the accessibility of their sessions and any support materials.
Childcare
As a minimum-cost conference we unfortunately cannot provide free childcare or creche facilities to our delegates. When considering a venue for an in-person conference we will endeavor to ensure a family-friendly venue so that delegates are welcome to bring younger children and infants with them to the conference, that both quiet and social spaces are provided, that baby-changing and lactation facilities are advertised. We would encourage delegates to include childcare costs alongside other reasonable expenses (e.g. per diem, travel costs) in claims.
Alternative Formats
All speakers will be asked to provide a set of slides (if using) and transcript/notes of their talks two weeks before the conference and wherever possible these will be made available to all registered delegates to make alternative formats as necessary.
Quiet Room
For in-person conferences a quiet, chill out room will be provided at the conference venue. This room will be for delegates to take space away from the conference as needed. For the comfort of delegates using this space, quiet use of the space will be enforced by the conference team (e.g. preventing the space being used for phone calls). Delegates will also have access to informal breakout spaces in the building.
Prayer Room and Faith Facilities
For in-person conferences we will endeavor to ensure the following spaces are provided: multi-faith meeting room, chapel, Muslim prayer rooms (with ablution facilities).
Toilets
For in-person conferences, male, female and accessible toilets are available in the main conference building. Wherever possible we will give preference for gender-neutral toilet facilities. Conference organisers respect the right of delegates to use the toilet they feel most comfortable with.
Languages
CALC is an English language conference with conference talks and materials provided in English in the first instance. Speakers will be asked to provide a set of slides (if using) and transcript/notes of their talk two weeks before the conference. Wherever possible these will be made available to all registered delegates to make translations as necessary. The conference organisers are open to speakers presenting in non-English languages and BSL where a suitable translator service can be provided, speakers should contact us on calcconference@gmail.com to discuss this.
Physical and General Accessibility
For in-person conferences the venue must have wheelchair access and lifts to all floors. Blue badge parking must be available nearby and can be bookable via email (calcconference@gmail.com). A hearing loop must be provided on request (calcconference@gmail.com). We cannot guarantee a BSL intepreter but please email us if you would require one so that we can investigate this further (calcconference@gmail.com).
More details on our accessibility and inclusivity arrangements will be provided in our Conference Code of Conduct. It is a requirement of all delegates and speakers to ensure they have read and understood the code of conduct in advance of the conference.
Online Accessibility
For online conferences live auto-captioning will be provided. Any recordings of sessions will be manually captioned and published openly. In designing a programme, conference organisers will provide frequent breaks between sessions.
Content Warnings
All speakers are asked to to identify any potentially disturbing, upsetting or offensive content in their sessions in advance of the conference. Content warnings will be provided in the conference programme where applicable.
Michelle Bond and Darren Flynn