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Accessibility FAQ

UMAP2024 is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment and actively working to accommodate special assistance requests. This guide outlines the accessibility options available at UMAP2024, aiming to assist you in determining if the conference meets your accessibility needs. Should you have any inquiries not addressed in this guide, or if the described arrangements do not fully support your participation, we are committed to collaborating with you to facilitate your attendance to the best of our abilities.

How do I communicate accessibility needs to UMAP2024 organizers?

At UMAP 2024, we are committed to making the conference inclusive and accessible for all attendees. As part of the registration process, you will find a question regarding any disabilities or special needs that might affect your access to the conference’s facilities and resources. If you respond affirmatively, a variety of accommodation options will be available for your selection, such as facilities for wheelchair users, sign language interpretation services, or personal guidance assistance. 

Once you’ve indicated your requirements, our Accessibility Chairs will be in touch to further discuss and ensure your needs are adequately met. Additionally, you can proactively reach out to them at umap2024-inclusion@um.org for any specific concerns or requests. We kindly ask that you submit your accessibility requests by May 16, 2024, to ensure we can effectively meet your needs. While we strive to accommodate all requests, please note that late requests, especially those made after the aforementioned date, may be challenging to fulfill.

Regarding dietary preferences or restrictions, there is a section on the registration form where you can provide this information. We appreciate your understanding that some dietary accommodations might be difficult to arrange without sufficient notice. Our goal is to make UMAP 2024 as welcoming and inclusive as possible, and we’re here to assist with any special requirements you may have.

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

At UMAP 2024, we are committed to creating an environment that is welcoming and accessible to all. If you have specific accessibility needs or suggestions for improvements, we encourage you to reach out to our dedicated Accessibility Chairs. You can share your requirements or ideas by emailing us at umap2024-inclusion@um.org. Rest assured, your queries will be addressed promptly as we strive to ensure a comfortable and inclusive experience for every attendee.

Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?

The conference is committed to accessibility and is considering providing sign language interpreters or captioners for attendees who request these services by May 16, 2024. Requests should be made as early as possible by contacting the Accessibility Chairs at umap2024-inclusion@um.org. While efforts will be made to accommodate requests made after this date, availability of interpreters or captioners cannot be guaranteed post-May 16, 2024

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

The Sant’Ignazio Campus is located in the city center and within walking distance to Cagliari’s train station (Piazza Matteotti, 15-17 minutes).

The conference venue can also be easily reached by bus or by taxi from Piazza Matteotti, which is the central square of Cagliari (in front of the Cagliari Port and the train station). From Piazza Matteotti, you can take the CTM’s local bus No. 8 to get to Via Sant’Ignazio, venue of the conference. The departing bus stop is on the west side of Piazza Matteotti (near the train station), while the arrival is the second stop in Viale Buoncammino. For more information, please look at the Google Maps route from the Cagliari’s train station to the conference venue.

Who can I ask about accessibility in Cagliari?

For information about Sardinia accessibility, including public transport, go to Accessibility Information for Travelers with Special Needs or contact the Disability and Communication Access Board at UMAP 2024 local chairs at umap2024-local@um.org.

Can a student volunteer assist me during the conference?

At the conference, we will have student volunteers ready to help guests with disabilities. They can guide you around, assist with meals, and meet other accessibility needs. If you need this kind of support, please let us know when you register for the conference.

For those who need personal care support, we encourage you to bring your own assistant. Personal care assistants must register for the conference, but they can use a special code for this. Please reach out to our accessibility coordinators to get this code for your personal assistant.

What is the conference space like?

For the overall layout of the venue, please refer to the venue information page.

The Sant’Ignazio Campus has three levels. At street level are the main meeting rooms for conference sessions, the restrooms, and the hallway where buffets will take place. On the other two levels, there are the meeting rooms for conference sessions and workshops. All levels have elevators and restrooms accessible to wheelchair users.

The Sant’Ignazio Campus has both audible and visual strobe fire alarms.

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

Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?

Yes, the conference will be accessible to wheelchair users. Accessible parking is available. Accessible loading and unloading zones are available at the Sant’Ignazio Campus main entrance. All floors are accessible by elevator. All restroom facilities are wheelchair-accessible and hands-free. Wheelchair accommodations are available in all rooms, including wheelchair elevators to access the upper level.

The Sant’Ignazio Campus has at least one ramp and one wheelchair elevator.

The Sant’Ignazio Campus has both audible and visual strobe fire alarms. Please see the evacuation plan (including for those with mobility limitations).

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

What are the restroom facilities like?

All restroom facilities are hands-free, including the entrance, and a private accessible “family” restroom is located in the lobby. Restrooms have accessible facilities. There are two accessible stalls. Each accessible restroom stall has 2 grab bars. Each door opens manually to 180 degrees. The doors at the narrowest point are 33.5 inches. The sink, soap, and towels are hands-free, while the toilet has a lever that someone has to grasp and pull up or down.

What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?

The stages and podium locations differ between rooms. All stages are wheelchair accessible as they are equipped with ramps.

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 accessibility co-chairs at umap2024-inclusion@um.org by May 16, 2024.

Can I bring my guide dog?

Yes! Guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at UMAP 2024. There are relief areas in the gardens outside the building. Please indicate on your registration form if you anticipate bringing a service animal to the conference.

Guide dogs are allowed to accompany you to “all areas of any facility where the public is normally allowed to go. An individual with a service animal may not be segregated from other people. Limitations are rare and only for those areas where health and safety may be compromised or where doing so would result in a fundamental alteration of the nature of the program, activity, or service.” 

How much walking or standing will be needed?

All the conference rooms are in the same building. They are all directly accessible by wheelchair. If you have any accessibility requests, please contact accessibility co-chairs at umap2024-inclusion@um.org by May 16, 2024.

Will there be assistive listening devices or induction loops on site?

The Sant’Ignazio Campus does not offer assistive listening systems. If you are interested in an assistive listening device, please contact accessibility co-chairs at umap2024-inclusion@um.org by May 16, 2024. Please make your request as early as possible.

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. There are wireless Q&A microphones for the session rooms. 

What food service will be provided?

The conference will provide refreshments at morning and afternoon breaks. The venue will label vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. If you have other dietary restrictions, any of the catering staff are trained to ask the chef directly about any ingredient questions.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact accessibility co-chairs at umap2024-inclusion@um.org. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate these clearly on your registration form.

Can the conference accommodate special dietary needs?

The conference catering service is able to accommodate most special diets, including vegetarian, vegan, low salt, Kosher, Halal, wheat-free, lactose-free, soy-free, fish-free, shellfish-free, and gluten-free. The convention center has indicated they are able to prepare food without cross-contamination from gluten, soy, shellfish, fish, egg, lactose, and wheat.

Attendees who indicate special dietary requirements on their registration form will be provided with options when the conference catering does not accommodate them. If you have a severe allergy or special dietary need, please indicate this on your registration form. For more detailed information, please contact accessibility co-chairs at umap2024-inclusion@um.org.

We do not yet have information about catering at any offsite events.

What about local food options?

Cagliari has a lot of food options that are either very cheap or very expensive. There is a variety of Italian food that can be good for vegetarians and gluten-free folks.

Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?

The entire indoor portion of the conference venue is a non-smoking area. There are smoking areas in the gardens outside the building. 

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

We are still gathering other information on sensory aspects of the conference. 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.

Please contact accessibility co-chairs at umap2024-inclusion@um.org as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.

Will there be a designated quiet space at the conference?

For the whole duration of the conference we will provide a room as a quiet space. Please follow the indications provided at the venue.

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

In case of emergency, call 112 for an ambulance. The nearest hospital is Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio, less than 700 meters away (address: Via Ospedale, 54, 09123 Cagliari CA). If you require non-urgent medical care, please contact accessibility co-chairs at umap2024-inclusion@um.org or ask any student volunteer. They will provide you with information about local doctors, specialists, etc.

What if there is an emergency evacuation during the conference?

If there is an emergency evacuation during the conference, this will be indicated by fire alarms triggering with an audio tone as well as strobe lights. Flashing fire alarms are in all meeting rooms and common areas.

In case of emergency, it is recommended to follow the evacuation plan shown in the conference venue.

How should I navigate between the venue and the hotels?

Regarding the hotels, we recommend following the information we show on the Accommodation page of the website:

Most of the hotels are 10-15 minutes away by walk. The listed hotels can also be reached by taxi or bus (a list of bus routes is available on the official page of the CTM company).

What should I know about the hotels?

Regarding the hotels, we recommend following the information we show on the Accommodation page of the website:

For each affiliated hotel, the page lists the website, location, rates, hotel contact number, email, and description.

Credits to CHI 2020 and 2024 Accessibility Co-Chairs as well as UMAP Organizing committee