Diversity & Inclusion

On this page, you’ll find information on our efforts to make TEI a welcoming environment for everyone. For more information, please contact the Diversity & Inclusion chairs.

Accessibility FAQ

1. How do I communicate accessibility needs to TEI 2020 organisers?

You can get in contact with our Diversity & Inclusion chairs: Johanna Renny Octavia and Serena Lee-Cultura, via email: diversity@tei.acm.org

They will make sure to meet your accessibility needs when communicated beforehand. During the registration process, you will be asked to indicate any accessibility needs such as wheelchair access, sign language interpretation, guide, or dietary restrictions. Based on your request, the Diversity & Inclusion Chairs will contact you further to understand your needs better and propose possible solutions.

2. Can the conference accommodate special dietary needs?

Yes. You will be asked to indicate your special dietary needs (including allergies) during the online registration process. If the conference catering does not accommodate your special dietary needs, we will make our best effort to provide meals according to your indicated special dietary needs. For more information, please contact our Diversity & Inclusion chairs, Johanna Renny Octavia and Serena Lee-Cultura by email: diversity@tei.acm.org. They will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.

3. Can a student volunteer assist me during the conference?

Yes. There will be student volunteers available to personally assist conference participants with specific accessibility needs. If you will need a designated student volunteer assistance at the conference, please indicate this during the online registration process.

4. What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?

The conference venue has two access ramps and elevators which give wheelchair access to all levels, including Level 3, which includes the speaker space (quiet room), organising committee space, and student volunteer space. There is a ramp to help those with a wheelchair get into the main lecture theatre.

If you are a presenter with a wheelchair and would like a student volunteer to operate slides or help you to go on and off the stage, please contact our Diversity & Inclusion chairs, Johanna Renny Octavia and Serena Lee-Cultura by email (diversity@tei.acm.org) as soon as possible so we can make necessary additional arrangements.

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

Yes. All speakers are required to use a microphone during their talks. Conference participants will be requested to use a microphone when asking questions during the sessions.

6. Will sign language interpretation be available?

The main lecture theatre has a hearing loop available. We will endeavour to provide a sign language interpreter during the talk sessions. If you require this service, please make your request as early as possible by email: diversity@tei.acm.org. Our Diversity & Inclusion chairs will follow up with you to discuss your needs in more detail. The best effort will be made to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee that interpreters will be available.

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

Call 000 (triple zero) during a life-threatening emergency requiring ambulance, fire and rescue or police help. The nearest hospitals are Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, both less than 4 kilometers (3 miles) away.

If you require non-urgent medical care, please contact our Local chairs: Scott Brown and Jeannette Durick at local_chairs@tei.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 an emergency treatment can be very high.

8. Can I bring an assistance/service animal?

Yes. Assistance dogs and other service animals are welcome at TEI 2020. Mary Ann Street Park is a few hundred meters North from the venue (UTS Building 11). This would be a great place for service animals and general escape from the busyness of the main road outside. Please indicate on your registration if you anticipate bringing a service animal to the conference.

9. Can I attend the conference remotely?

No. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide the possibility to attend the conference remotely. 

10. What is the conference and its space like?

• TEI2020 will take place in UTS, Faculty of Engineering and IT (FEIT) Building. Different aspects of the conference are located on levels 0, 3 and 4.
• Level 0: Main conference theatre. Includes registration space.
• Level 2: Sydney is not flat so depending on which building entrance you use, you will either enter on level 0 or level 2. This level is not used for the conference.
• Level 3: Speaker space (quiet room), organising committee space, and student volunteer space.
• Level 4: Workshops and studios.
• Lifts can take you between all floors.
• Snacks and drinks will be located directly outside in the foyer on level 0.
• A complete map of the campus can be found on the UTS website. FEIT is located in building CB11.

11. Will there be a designated quiet space at the conference?

There is a speaker prep space on level 3. This is essentially a quiet room and can be used by participants wishing to retreat to a silent space. This room seats roughly 30 people.

12. What are the restroom facilities like?

The conference space is equipped with accessible all gender washrooms. They are clearly marked with the words ‘All Gender’ and can be recognised by the sign below. They occur on each floor of the FEIT building. See also UTS’ information on UTS All Gender washrooms policy.

13. Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?

• The FEIT building has two access ramps. They are located at (1) the corner of Broadway and Jones St, and (2) the corner of Wattle St and Broadway.
• There will also be accessible washrooms at the venue.

14. How much walking or standing will be needed?

• Registration and the Speaker Prep Space are located on level 3 and the main theatre (where presentations take place) on level 0. There will be ample seating. Snacks and drinks are located directly outside the theatre (minimal walking).
• On the afternoon/evening of Tuesday Feb 11th, the conference will be located at Sydney University. This is a 15-minute walk (5 minutes by taxi or Uber) from the FEIT building.

15. Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?

Yes, the FEIT building is completely smoke-free.

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

If there are other specific accessibility information you would like to be answered or if you wish to discuss any conference accessibility requirements, please contact our Diversity & Inclusion chairs, Johanna Renny Octavia and Serena Lee-Cultura by email: diversity@tei.acm.org. They will respond to your question as soon as possible.

Diversity & Inclusion Lunch

This event aims to build and strengthen the diverse networks of our attendees and support mentorships across academia, research, and industry for those with traditionally marginalised backgrounds.

The lunch is on Monday 10 February, 13.00-14.00. Location is TBD.

Transportation

For general information about transportation to the UTS campus, check out this map on the UTS website and click on the Transport tab. It will give options and information on bus stops, preferred walking paths, parking, car pooling, security shuttle and bicycles around campus. Also, see the page on Travel & Accommodation.

Inclusivity Guidelines

More to come soon. See also the ACM policy against discrimination and harassment that we follow at TEI 2020.

Diversity & Inclusion chairs

Johanna Renny Octavia, Ghent University (Belgium)

Serena Lee-Cultura, NTNU Trondheim (Norway)

If you have further questions about diversity and inclusion matters, contact the Diversity & Inclusion Chairs at diversity@tei.acm.org.