Accessibility
We want everyone to feel comfortable and included at our conference, and we are committed to making the event accessible to all.
The University of Salford works with AccessAble, an online resource which provides helpful information about accessibility details for public spaces. Information about our venue’s accessibility is provided at the link below:
Throughout the day of the conference, conference organizers will be available to support any accessibility needs. Please feel free to speak to a member of the conference team at any time.
Venue Access
// Location
The University of Salford at Media City UK offers step-free access, including lift access and accessible toilets on all floors.
Most conference activities will take place on the third floor. Lunch, sound installations, and the performances will take place on the ground floor.
For more information on how to travel to our venue, please visit the University of Salford’s webpages on travelling instructions: https://www.salford.ac.uk/travel/mediacity
You can also find information about campus accessibility here: https://www.salford.ac.uk/accessibility-on-campus
// Lifts and Navigation
Lifts and restrooms are clearly signposted in the building, and their locations can be checked in advance through AccessAble: https://www.accessable.co.uk/university-of-salford/access-guides/media-city-uk-university-of-salford#93A6E887-3E84-5C45-B595-11CB8F28B40E).
All-gender toilets are located on the first floor.
Members of the conference team will also be available to help you find your way around the building as needed. The team will be recognisable by their University of Salford lanyards.
When using the lifts, you must select the floor you wish to access before entering: You need to press the button before you enter the lift. There is a dedicated wheelchair-use button available for the lifts.
Water fountains with drinking water can be found next to the café, where people can help themselves, as well as in the open kitchen on the second floor.
// Conference Rooms
The conference will take place in Rooms 3.11/10 and 3.08/07, as well as on the ground floor in the Digital Media Performance Lab (DMPL). The DMPL will only be used for live performances and sound installations.
Conference rooms will be equipped with moveable chairs.
Please note: with the exception of building entrance doors and lift doors, other doors throughout the building cannot be opened automatically via button press. Also, doors leading into the DMPL provide limited space for manoeuvring for wheelchair users.
// Venue Map
We have created a venue map showing the floor plan and conference locations for anyone who would like to familiarise themselves with the space before arriving. Here is a rough ground plan.
// Quiet Spaces
The building will be quieter than usual, given that the conference takes place during the university’s vacation period when fewer students are on campus.
There are several places throughout the building where attendees can take a break away from conference activities. A dedicated quiet room will be made available in Room 3.07, which also serves as a multi-faith room. An additional quiet booth is located on the second floor.
Please note: the building’s air conditioning system produces a continuous background hum, which is also audible in the quiet room and booth.
Conference Accessibility
// Live Captions
Live captioning will be available for all talks and performances.
Captions will be displayed alongside presentation slides for both in-person and online audiences.
If you require reserved front-row seating, please let us know in advance if you have not already done so. You may email your request to auraldiversityconference@gmail.com.
// Earplugs
We will provide foam earplugs for conference attendees. They will be available at the entrance to the DMPL auditorium and in the common room on the third floor within boxes. Instructions on how to use the earplugs correctly will be displayed alongside with them.
// Sound Levels
As a sound-level advisory, please note that live performances will include acoustic performances with microphone amplification. These performances will feature musicians including Neesa Suncheuri Sunar (viola) and Noa Kurumi Nishizawa.
Additional recorded sounds are featured in the Sound Installation room (DMPL), some of which explore themes associated with tinnitus.
For hearing protection if needed, you are welcome to use the earplugs provided or your own hearing protection.
We encourage attendees to remember that wearing headphones or ear plugs during a talk or performance does not mean someone is not listening or participating. Therefore, please do whatever helps you to feel comfortable if the environment becomes too loud or overwhelming.
If at any point during the conference you need a break from the activities, you are welcome to spend time in the common areas or designated quiet room.
// Audience Guidelines
Throughout the conference, we will use silent clapping (jazz hands) instead of traditional applause. If you are unfamiliar with this practice, you can find an example here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOxT5P7YvUI
Please do your best to remember, but if someone forgets, we ask everyone to be understanding.
We also encourage attendees to be considerate of different ways of participating. Some people may use headphones, stim, move around during talks or performances, or engage as a conference attendee in ways that differ from typical social expectations. We ask everyone to respect these differences and support an inclusive environment where all attendees can participate comfortably.
If you feel overwhelmed, distracted, or uncomfortable at any point during the event, please speak to a member of the conference team. We will do our best to help.
// Requesting Accessibility Support
If you have accessibility requirements, please contact us in advance so that we can plan appropriate support.
When contacting us, please include your name, contact information, and details of the support you require. We will work with you directly to accommodate your needs.