Accessibility at the conference
Find out how we are trying to make the conference as accessible as we can.
We are committed to making the conference as accessible as we can to all delegates, in person and online. If you have any questions about accessibility at the conference that are not covered below, please contact us at ac2024@rgs.org.
We encourage you to use the space in the programme submission and registration forms to let us know about any accommodations you may require. This information is confidential and will only be shared with key parties with your permission (e.g. your session Chair). Where we cannot provide a specific accommodation this time, we will be as clear as we can so that you can plan accordingly.
Online spaces
The online programme and virtual platform will be provided by Ex Ordo.
Virtual sessions will be hosted using Zoom. We will have live automated closed captions enabled in all sessions by default. Instructions on how to access this on your device are available here (you can also ensure that these are not displayed, if they would be distracting to you). You can also find out more about accessibility features in Zoom here.
Captioning of session recordings
Session recordings will be auto-captioned before upload.
Guidance on making presentations accessible
There is guidance about how to make your presentation more accessible here.
Asynchronous content
To help delegates make the most of the opportunities provided by the virtual platform, we strongly encourage session organisers and presenters to upload content in advance and, if hybrid or virtual, to record their sessions for delegates to watch afterwards. Uploading content in advance is also a good back-up option in case of technical difficulties. Both options are entirely opt-in, but we hope that many of you will take the chance to share your research with other delegates who may not be able to attend live owing to time-zones or other commitments.
We will publish more information in our guidance for presenters.
Sign language interpretation
Sign language interpretation can be provided upon request, in-person or in online sessions. Please include this as a request with your conference registration, or email us at ac2024@rgs.org to request.
Hearing loop
At the RGS-IBG, the Ondaatje Theatre is equipped with a hearing loop. We also have a portable hearing loop for use in the other rooms, available on request.
Please see the AccessAble guidance for Imperial College London for information on hearing loops at ICL.
Conference venue
The in-person sessions will be held at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and Imperial College London.
There is step free access for the rooms at the Society, except for the Council Room. Please ask at the helpdesk if you require step free access to the Lowther Room.
Information about the Imperial College South Kensington campus is available on AccessAble.
We will confirm the rooms in use at Imperial College London in summer 2024. These are expected to be in the Sir Alexander Fleming Building; the Royal School of Mines; the Seminar and Learning Centre (SALC) in the Sherfield Building; and the Blackett/Physics Building.
If you have any concerns about the room for your session(s), please contact us at ac2024@rgs.org as soon as possible.
Two seats will be reserved in the front row of every session room for those who prefer or require to sit there.
Getting to and around London
For getting to London, if you are travelling by rail, the Rail Europe website has information about accessible train travel in the UK. You may also want to look at the Passenger Assist pages on the National Rail Enquiries website.
The Transport for London website has information about getting around London.
Complimentary support registration
If you wish to be accompanied at the conference, please let us know by contacting us at ac2024@rgs.org so we can arrange an appropriate complimentary registration.
Quiet spaces
We will have quiet space available for decompression at the in-person conference. These can be found in the Foyle Reading Room and the Members Room. We will also have quiet private space available (e.g. for breastfeeding, or for prayer). Please ask one of the conference team for assistance.
Catering
We will be serving only vegetarian and vegan food, with gluten-free and allergy sensitive options. Please make use of the questions on conference registration to make us aware of any dietary requirements.
Crèche
We offer registered conference delegates attending in person a crèche service for children up to 12 years old. The crèche is provided by Little Hens Childcare, an Ofsted-registered provider, whose staff are all first aid-trained, reference-checked, and DBS-checked. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to delegates who have completed their registration to attend the conference. For more information, please see our guidance on planning to attend the in-person conference.