ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

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At SXSW Sydney, we strive to create an inclusive and accessible environment for all participants, regardless of age or ability.

We recognise the importance of accessibility and are making every effort to accommodate where possible, that all attendees and talent have equal access to the event and can fully participate in the experience.
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Accessibility Liaison

SXSW Sydney are working in collaboration with Tibi Access to provide guidance in making our event as accessible as possible. Tibi Access will be our accessibility liaisons working across the event to ensure accessibility assistance is available throughout the event.

For any enquiries about accessibility at the event you can reach out through email accessibility@sxswsydney.com.au , call (02) 82402131 or visit one of the friendly team located at the accessibility information desk.

Location: ICC Convention Centre, Ground Level.

Open: Monday 14^th – Sunday 20^th October

Hours: 9am – 6pm

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Below is a list of the accessibility options available this year:
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Companion Card Program

If you purchase a ticket to SXSW Sydney and hold a companion card, you are eligible to receive (1) x complimentary companion ticket to mirror the credentials purchased.

*Badges will mirror the purchased ticket attendee with companion, the companion must be with the original ticket holder to enter a SXSW Sydney venue.

To arrange your companion card, Purchase a ticket to SXSW Sydney and email accessiblity@sxswsydney.com with a copy of your order, your companion’s full name and attach a clear image of your companion card. Please bring this companion card to the event to pickup your companion credentials. We will be in touch to confirm your complimentary companion ticket.

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KEY LOCATIONS

ICC Convention Centre - MAP

Tumbalong Park - MAP

Tumbalong Park Rideshare - MAP

Lightrail Station (Paddys Market) - MAP

UTS Building 1 - MAP

Central Station - MAP

Central Park Mall - MAP

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VENUE ACCESSIBILITY

As there are so many different venue spaces and sessions across the event, the best place to check venue accessibility is through the SXSW Sydney App. You can filter sessions based on the accessibility offering. Once you have downloaded the App, open the menu through the three horizontal lines in the top left corner. Select Schedule and then Filters. Select content based on your interest, credential and the accessibility offered within a session or a room.

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Designated Accessible Seating

There will be designated accessible seating for sessions and film screenings. All designated SXSW Sydney accessible seating is based on capacity and provided on a first come, first served basis.

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AUSLAN Interpreters and LIVE Captions

Auslan Interpreters will be available for conference sessions in the Darling HarbourTheatre and the Pyrmont Theatre.
They will also be available at the
- ICC Darling Harbour Theatre, all sessions (Monday 14th - Saturday 19th)
- ICC Pyrmont Theatre, all sessions (Monday 14th - Friday 18th)
- Tumbalong Park Opening Ceremony (Monday 14th October - 17:15 to 18:00)
- Platinum Opening Party, UTS Building 1 - Great Hall (Monday 14th October - 18:30 to 19:30)
- Screen Opening Party, Tumbalong Park (Monday 14th October - 18:30 to 19:30)
- Music Opening Party, UTS Underground (Tuesday 15th October - 18:45 to 19:30)
- Tech & Innovation Opening Party, Fortress at Central Park Mall (Tuesday 15th October - 18:30 to 19:30)
- Games Opening Party, The Abercrombie (Wednesday 16th October - 19:30 to 20:30)
- Screen Q&A, The Ritz Randwick (Thursday 17th October - 20:00 to 21:00)
- Discovery Stage, Tech & Innovation Expo (Saturday 19th October - 11:00 to 11:30)

Live Captioning will be available across multiple conference session spaces at the ICC and Tumbalong Park Stage. Check the SXSW Sydney app to confirm exact sessions.

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ASSISTIVE HEARING TECHNOLOGY

Infrared hearing augmentation systems are provided in all meeting rooms and theatres of the ICC, including Darling Harbour Theatre and ICC Sydney Theatre. Complimentary hearing augmentation devices (hearing loops) are available and can be provided to guests free of charge with a form of photo identification from ICC Sydney’s Customer Service Desk.

The hired device must remain on ICC Sydney premises and be returned at the conclusion of the day. Hearing loops may not be compatible with Cochlear Implants. Please note hearing loops are compatible with t-switch (telecoil) enabled hearing aids or cochlear implants. Patrons can collect either a personal induction loop or a set of lightweight headphones from ICC Sydney’s CustomerService Desk upon arrival to access this service. It is recommended that people who use a hearing aid or cochlear implant utilise the personal induction loop system.

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ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Assistance animals are welcome at SXSW Sydney. Given the noise and lighting conditions of the event, we encourage patrons to consider an alternative navigation aid if required. UTS Building 1 provides an assistance animal spending area outside of building 1 on Broadway. If required, a bowl for water can be provided for assistance animals upon request at the ICC.

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BLIND AND LOW VISION ACCESS & bindimaps

The ICC provides Braille on room door signage and fixed directional signage throughout the venue. Tactile flooring is provided at egress points. Otherwise, with 80 different venues in the precinct we recommend bringing a companion to help navigate the site safely or contact our accessibility liaisons to organise an escort.
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BindiMaps is an inclusive wayfinding app designed to help people of all abilities navigate complex and unfamiliar indoor locations, such as office buildings, hospitals, shopping centres and more.

Users can navigate by following turn-by-turn directions via the visual map or receive accessible audio, wheelchair accessible routes and text directions designed for people with vision impairment.

The BindiMaps wayfinding app features a user-friendly interface that provides precise location information and delivers the optimal and most accessible routes, helping everyone to confidently and independently navigate complex and unfamiliar indoor locations.

We are utilising BindiMaps for both the ICC & UTS locations navigation to the BindiMaps integration will be via the SXSW Sydney app.

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ADULT CHANGING FACILITY

There is a Changing Places facility available at ICC, located on Level 2 of ExhibitionCentre. It provides the following features: a height-adjustable adult-sized change table; a constant-charging ceiling track hoist system; a right-hand railing ambulant toilet as well as an island toilet; an automatic door with a clear opening of 950 mm and push-button entry / exit; nappy bin sanitary disposal unit and wash station.
The changing place is open to ICC Sydney guests at all times, and possession of a changing place Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK) is not required.

Sensory Rooms

If you are feeling overwhelmed or need to decompress, you can access a sensory space where we will have low lighting, a comfortable place to sit and rest. Limited sensory packs will be available from the UTS Building 1 Information desk. Sensory packs include glasses, ear plugs and a fidget toy.
Locations:
ICC Exhibition Centre, Room E3.8 – Level 3 (Mon-Fri 9:00 to 17:30 only)
UTS Building 1- Level 5 (Next to Great Hall - Wed-Sat 10:00 to 20:00, Sunday 10:00 to 18:00)
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SUNFLOWER LANYARDS

To support people who may have a hidden disability, SXSW Sydney have implemented the Sunflower Lanyard Program into our planning and training. If you have forgotten your lanyard, please see staff at the ICC information desk or the SXSW Sydney accessible information desk located in the ICC Convention Centre.

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AVOID INTENSE LIGHTING

There may be some use of pyrotechnics, strobes or other intense lighting used at some SXSW Sydney events. Check session and venue pages on the SXSW Sydney app for more.

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OTHER INFORMATION

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HOW TO GET TO SXSW SYDNEY

As SXSW Sydney is across a large footprint of Central Sydney, there are multiple forms of transport available to assist you to get to the event – Train, Bus, Light rail, Taxi or Uber, Driving. Depending on where you want to start your events daily, will depend on what sort of public transport access is available to you. For any public transport services, you can head to the Transport NSW Trip Planner HERE to plan your trip each day.

For anyone driving there will be multiple car parking stations around the precinct that have accessible parking spots. Parking tends to fill up fast, arriving early will increase your chances of securing an accessible spot.

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Accessible Parking

Parking will be very limited around the precinct, if you have a disabled car hang tag you can park in designated disabled parking spots or pay in private parking stations for a fee. Parking locations in and around the Precinct: ICC Parking, Wilson Parking - Market City, WilsonParking - Sydney Central.

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HOW TO GET BETWEEN VENUES

SXSW Sydney will be providing a free accessible shuttle bus on certain days and times.

This service will be available Wednesday 16^th –Saturday 19^th between 12pm and 9pm only. You will need to prearrange your shuttle service by calling the shuttle service hotline (02) 9266 4059. Please be aware that this service operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and exact times cannot be guaranteed if already booked. We will do our best to accommodate your needs and get you to your destination on time.

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Accessible accommodation

Rydges Sydney Central

28 Albion Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Furama Darling Harbour

68 Harbour Street, Haymarket NSW 2000

TAG - travel & accommodation agency

Please email for more information

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HOW TO ACCESS DIFFERENT SXSW SYDNEY EVENTS

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At most venues there will be two lines, one for primary access and one for secondary access.

Access will be dependent on your badge type.

Platinum: Primary access to conference and all other events. Platinumbadge holders will have access to Xprss passes daily to help secure seatsin selected Keynote and Screen headliner sessions. For these select sessions there will be an additional line for Xpress Passes, where passholders will need to be 15 minutes prior to doors to gain access.

Tech & Innovation: Primary access to conference and Tech & Innovation events, secondary access to other industry events. There is a Fri-Sunday Tech & Innovation Badge as well as the full 7 day badge.

Screen: Primary access to conference and Screen events, secondary access to other industry events

Games: Primary access to conference and Games events, secondary access to other industry events

Music: Primary access to conference and Music events, secondary access to other industry events

OTHER ACCREDITATIONS

Wristbands: Secondary access to ever session in the selected festival only (Screen, Games, Music)

Expo Pass: One Day access to the Tech & Innovation Expo

Rush Screen Ticket: One Session access to a specific Screening at a Screen Festival Cinema venue

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Contact Us

Should you require further information regarding accessibility at SXSW Sydney, please contact:

Phone: (02) 8240 2131
Email: accessibility@sxswsydney.com