CHI 2018 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 2018, 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 2018 organisers?
- Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?
- When is the deadline for accessibility requests?
- Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair?
- Will there be wheelchairs available for loan at the conference facility?
- How much walking or standing will be needed?
- What are expectations around inclusivity, diversity, and harassment at CHI 2018?
- What restroom facilities are available?
- Are children welcome at CHI 2018?
- Can I bring my guide dog?
- What resources are available for self-care and mental health at CHI 2018?
- Will there be an FM Assisted Listening system available?
- Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?
- What food service will be provided?
- What is the conference space like?
- How do I get to the conference venue?
How do I communicate accessibility needs to CHI 2018 organisers?
CHI values the diversity of our community, and aims to be an accessible and inclusive conference. Attendees are encouraged to mention any requests for accommodation upon registration for the conference. If you have any questions or concerns about accessibility, or any requests for accommodation (such as ASL translation, captioning, etc.), please contact the conference accessibility chairs at accessibility@chi2018.acm.org, and they will work with you to address your concerns. Note that some requests may require advance notice, so please submit accessibility requests as far in advance of the conference date as possible in order to give us adequate time to prepare.
Accessibility Chairs, CHI 2018:
Erin Brady, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, USA
Robin Brewer, University of Michigan, USA
Erin Buehler, Facebook, USA
accessibility@chi2018.acm.org
Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?
For more detailed information about accessibility at the Palais des Congrès, please check the venue accessibility information page, phone the venue information desk at 1-800-268-8122 (toll-free) or 1-514-871-8122 (local), or email info@congresmtl.com.
If there is a specific accessibility information you would like to see here, or if you wish to discuss any accessibility requirements, please contact our Accessibility Chairs by email: accessibility@chi2018.acm.org, and someone will respond to you shortly.
When is the deadline for accessibility requests?
The deadline for accessibility requests is Wednesday, April 18th. However, if you have any accessibility enquiries at this point, please feel free to contact our Accessibility Chairs, Erin, Robin, and Erin, by email: accessibility@chi2018.acm.org.
Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair?
Yes, the conference venue will be accessible by wheelchair. All Palais entrances are wheelchair accessible and feature access doors. To use their adapted services, the Palais recommends taxi drop-offs at 1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle. There are several parking spots in the Viger parking lot that are reserved for individuals with handicap parking permits, which are accessible via Chenneville Street. A map of the conference space will be made available on the CHI 2018 website shortly. Maps of the venue can be found on the Palais website.
Will there be wheelchairs available for loan at the conference facility?
The Palais venue offers free loans of wheelchairs for those who may need it. You may fill out the form here ahead of the conference. If you need to rent a wheelchair on-site, you can also rent one (subject to availability) from the coat check located in Hall Viger.
How much walking or standing will be needed?
The conference, demonstrations, and poster sessions are located on the 2nd and 5th levels of the Palais, which are accessible by escalator and/or elevator. Coffee breaks will be on the 5th level foyer, or in the Exhibit Hall on the 2nd level (220BC). For lunches off-site, we have prepared a map of various food outlets surrounding the Palais, which may be in walking distance.
Standing room will be made available at the back of each paper session room, as well as a standing/pacing area at the back of the plenary room for those that need to stretch their legs. There will be seating at the front of each session room for people who need to sit closer or need a dedicated wheelchair area. The Palais offers seating areas throughout its corridors, and we have created a number of areas to take a seat in the various “Zones” scattered throughout the Exhibit Hall. Health chair m.c. schraefel has put together a page of information about Health & Wellbeing at CHI.
What are expectations around inclusivity, diversity, and harassment at CHI 2018?
We ask that all conference attendees respect individuals’ identities. Please use their stated names and pronouns. This year, this information is included right on attendees’ badges. If you’re not sure – ask! Please see the Diversity & Inclusion Statement that reflects our commitment to a welcoming and safe environment. Additionally, please review expectations stated in the ACM SIGCHI Policy on Harassment and Discrimination.
What restroom facilities are available?
Gender-neutral washrooms can be found in the following locations:
Saturday-Sunday: Outside room 520
Monday-Thursday: 220C (Exhibit Hall), and 517 Foyer (near 517D)
Other washrooms are located throughout the Palais. Most include at least one wheelchair-accessible stall.
Sanitary napkin dispensers can be found in the public washrooms in Hall Viger and Level 1, as well as in the women’s washrooms on Level 4.
For attendees with young children, the gender-neutral washrooms in 517 East Foyer have change tables, the washrooms on the 4th floor which are nearer to the nursing room in 449 have sitting room and plenty of counter space, and a changing table will be available in the nursing room itself.
Are children welcome at CHI 2018?
CHI 2018 values that many attendees are parents and caregivers and provide various options to support attendance at CHI 2018 by attendees with families, including a child pass, on-site childcare, and a nursing room. The nursing room can be found in room 449 on Mezzanine 4. A key for the nursing room is available in the Conference Office, room 523. For more information about childcare options and child passes, please visit the child care nursing room page. For any further questions about accommodations for caregivers, please contact Jon Froehlich and Audrey Girouard, the CHI 2018 Family Chairs, at childcare@chi2018.acm.org.
Can I bring my guide dog?
Yes, service animals are permitted within the Palais de Congrès. We remind all attendees that guide dogs are working animals, and ask that you refrain from petting, distracting, or otherwise preventing them from doing their job. Water stations can be found throughout the Palais, and we recommend attendees with service dogs bring water bowls to refill for their companions. Dogs may relieve themselves outside of the Palais. The Palais recommends going to Square Victoria, which is a three minute walk from the convention center. Square Victoria is located on the corner of Rue Saint Antione and Rue du Square Victoria.
What resources are available for self-care and mental health at CHI 2018?
A decompression/desensitization room can be found in room 342, on the third floor. We know that attending conferences – especially those with more than 20 simultaneous tracks – can be a challenging experience for many. If you feel anxious or need some breathing room, this desensitization room is provided for that purpose. A place to be quiet and recover, this room is simply here for those who need a break from all of the hustle and bustle of CHI.
Speakers are encouraged to provide content and trigger warnings for their talks. As a listener, take steps to protect yourself in whatever way necessary – getting up in the middle of a talk to take care of yourself is not disrespectful.
If you are in distress, please reach out to conference staff, organizing committee members, student volunteers, or dial 911 (police, fire, ambulance).
Will there be an FM Assisted Listening system available?
Yes, the Palais is equipped with a unique FM frequency for each paper session room that you can use with your personal FM System. The specific frequencies are posted outside each room, and in the table below. You can download this table as a PDF here.
| Room | Frequency |
| 510A | 87.9 |
| 520A | 96.3 |
| 510B | 93.1 |
| 510C | 88.9 |
| 510D | 92.1 |
| 511A | 100.1 |
| 511B | 95.7 |
| 511C | 96.7 |
| 511D | 89.9 |
| 511E | 94.7 |
| 511F | 98.1 |
| 512A | 102.1 |
| 512B | 101.1 |
| 512C | 90.9 |
| 512D | 99.1 |
| 512E | 106.3 |
| 512F | 105.3 |
| 512G | 104.1 |
| 512H | 103.1 |
| 513A | 106.9 |
| 513B | 89.1 |
| 513C | 91.7 |
| 513D | 92.7 |
| 513E | 90.1 |
| 513F | 101.7 |
| 514A | 98.9 |
| 514B | 94.9 |
| 514C | 96.1 |
| 515A | 97.1 |
| 515B | 93.7 |
| 515C | 99.9 |
| 516A | 103.3 |
| 516B | 95.5 |
| 516C | 88.3 |
| 516D | 102.5 |
| 516E | 101.3 |
| 517A | 107.9 |
| 517B | 89.7 |
| 517C | 106.1 |
| 517D | 104.3 |
| 518A | 92.3 |
| 518B | 93.3 |
| 518C | 95.3 |
| 519A | 88.1 |
| 519B | 97.3 |
| 520B | 101.5 |
| 520C | 104.7 |
| 520D | 106.5 |
| 520E | 102.7 |
| 520F | 90.5 |
| 521A | 106.7 |
| 521B | 107.7 |
| 521C | 90.7 |
| 522A | 92.9 |
| 522B | 93.9 |
| 522C | 100.3 |
| 523A | 89.5 |
| 523B | 104.9 |
| 524A | 96.5 |
| 524B | 101.9 |
| 524C | 102.9 |
| 525A | 103.9 |
| 525B | 88.7 |
| 210A | 89.7 |
| 210B | 106.5 |
| 210C | 104.9 |
| 210D | 102.1 |
| 210E | 101.3 |
| 210F | 103.3 |
| 210G | 96.3 |
| 210H | 92.9 |
| 220A | 90.7 |
| 220B | 93.7 |
| 220C | 104.1 |
| 220D | 88.9 |
| 220E | 92.1 |
| 230A | 94.9 |
| 230B | 88.1 |
| 710A | 101.5 |
| 710B | 104.1 |
Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?
The Palais des Congrès de Montréal is a non-smoking facility, as per City of Montreal bylaws. Smoking is permitted only within designated areas at the exterior of the Palais des Congrès de Montréal as permitted by law.
What food service will be provided?
During coffee breaks, attendees can expect light refreshments such as: coffee, tea, water, juice, pastries, fruits, nuts, and some of the special foods that Quebec has to offer, depending on the day. During receptions, a variety of options have been selected to accommodate the diverse dietary needs of the CHI community, and in consideration of dietary requirements indicated on registration forms.
What is the conference space like?
For the overall layout of the venue, please refer to this map of the conference space. Keep an eye on this website for specific CHI 2018 maps that will show areas of the venue that are relevant to attendees. Print programs will contain copies of these maps.
The main conference venue is at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal. Registration is located on the first floor in Hall Viger, with the Exhibit Hall on Level 2, and papers on Level 5. The venue has multiple escalator and elevator options. Please see our other FAQs for more details about wheelchair access, restrooms, walking and steps, and facilities for assistance animals.
How do I get to the conference venue?
The Palais has compiled a number of options to help you get to the venue via bus, car, metro (subway), on foot, and more, which is available on their website. The website also contains several options for reaching downtown Montreal from the airport via car, taxi, or public transit, which is about a 20-minute trip. The main entrance of the Palais is located at 1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle.
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This FAQ has been generated from a template provided by ACM SIGACCESS. Event organizers are welcome to modify and reuse this template for other events. Please contact SIGACCESS for more information.