Accessibility

Information on accessibility and inclusivity at #WCEU

WordCamp Europe 2019 aims to create an accessible and inclusive environment for the WordPress community.

To help familiarise you with facilities at the venue and the additional assistance that will be available, we have prepared a list of relevant information.

If you have any questions or require special assistance, please contact us.

General information

On-site at the Estrel Congress Center, the WCEU venue, all volunteers will be wearing pink shirts and are available and happy to assist you.

A venue map and photographs are available on our Accessibility Zone post. If you would like a printed version of the talks and workshop times before you arrive, you can download a PDF of the schedule. You will receive a printed copy inside our booklets available at registration too. Large print versions of the schedule will be available, just let us know.

Useful info

Disabled parking spaces are available in the official venue car park.
Toilets in the venue are not gender-neutral. Sanitary items will be available in every toilet for anyone to use. Please let a volunteer know if you need anything else or if additional sanitary items are needed.
Toilets and elevators (lifts) are marked on the venue map which will be provided to all attendees.
Guide dogs are welcome at the venue, but please note assistance dogs are not permitted.
Childcare will be provided on both days of the conference 21-22 June. More information at Free childcare at WCEU.
Live captioning will be available in English for all presentations, but not during the workshop sessions.

For people with physical disabilities

Nearest public transport station, Sonnenallee S-bahn, has an elevator (lift).
Estrel conference venue is accessible by wheelchair via ramps and elevators (lifts).
Power outlets are available, which you are welcome to use to charge a powered wheelchair or mobility scooter. Please bring your own charger and a travel adapter for a two-pin outlet (if applicable).
Accessible toilets are available and clearly marked on the venue map which will be provided during registration.
Some, but not all, doors are power assisted and have doorbells. Volunteers will be on hand to help at the doors.
All main doors are wide enough for wheelchairs.
Comfortable sofas and soft chairs are available at the venue, although not in all of the session rooms. If you have particular seating requirements, contact us.
General information about getting around Berlin with a physical disability can be found at:
1. https://www.visitberlin.de/en/accessible-berlin
2. https://www.visitberlin.de/en/out-and-about-without-barriers-berlin
3. https://wheelchairtravel.org/berlin/public-transportation/

Companions

People with physical challenges who travel with companions and have purchased a ticket can contact us to reserve a free ticket and badge for their companion.

For people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or sound sensitive

Live captioning will be provided in English for all presentations in the main conference tracks. This will not be available in the workshops.
Unfortunately, we will not have resources for sign language interpreters.
Hearing loops will probably be available at the conference venue. We are awaiting confirmation regarding this. Please contact us to request a hearing loop.
We recommend bringing ear defenders if you require hearing protection in large social gatherings, though it is not expected that this event will be loud or disruptive.
General information can be found at Visit Berlin: Advice for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

For people who are blind, partially-sighted, photo or light sensitive

Guide dogs are welcome at the venue, but assistance dogs are not permitted.
Large print versions of the schedule and other documents will be available at registration desks.
The schedule and other relevant information are also available on our website. If you have any difficulty zooming in or viewing resources at WCEU online, contact us and we will fix it.
Audio, Braille and tactile diagram versions of resources will not be available during the event. All presentations will be recorded and published on WordPress.tv after the event.
General information can be found at Visit Berlin: For people who are blind or partially sighted.

For people with autism, anxiety or neurodivergence

A quiet room will be available at the venue.
Unfortunately, assistance dogs are not permitted in the venue.
Anyone feeling anxious or nervous about the event is welcome to arrive early to help get settled in the venue.

Food and dietary information

Food and drink will be available at the venue. Menus will be made available closer to the event date.
An assortment of beverages, including tea, coffee, fresh water and soft drinks are available at the venue. There will be snacks available, lunch is provided, and there is a restaurant in the venue.
We requested information about your personal dietary requirements when purchasing your ticket. The following options are available for those who specified dietary needs: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, kosher, and halal. Please let us know of any allergies or dietary requirements when purchasing your ticket.
Alcohol, tobacco and unlawful drugs are not permitted at the venue. You are welcome to bring your own prescription medication. A smoking area is available outside.

For parents

Nursing and Lactation Room

This is a breastfeeding-friendly event. We will also have a nursing and lactation room available for anyone who requires it. The location will be near to the childcare area and marked on the venue map provided during registration.

Childcare Room

We provide childcare services on both days of the conference (21-22 June). The location is near the nursing and lactation room. Sign up for free childcare at WCEU.

Note that the venue’s closest baby changing unit is a short walk away from the designated childcare area. All relevant rooms are marked on the venue map provided during registration.

About separate/quiet zones

Multi-faith Room

A multi-faith room will be available for all attendees. This room is for religious purposes only and marked on the venue map. If you are looking for a quiet area, please use the quiet room.

Quiet Room

A quiet room is available for all attendees to use during the conference. The location is marked on the venue map provided during registration. This room is intended to provide a quiet space to relax away from the main conference areas. Please do not use this room for phone calls.

After Party

The WCEU After Party will likely be noisy and dark with flashing lights. There are quieter areas immediately outside the After Party area for those who find the party overwhelming or would like to hang out in a quieter space.

For travellers

Visa applications

Attendees can request a letter of invitation to apply for a visa.

Accommodation

For information about accessible accommodation, go to the Visit Berlin Accessible Hotels page. General information about accommodation in Berlin is available at our Accommodation page.

Getting around Berlin with a disability

The majority of the Berlin trains, trams, and stations are accessible via elevators or ramps, though not all of them. All Berlin buses are wheelchair accessible.

General information to assist people with a physical disability travelling in Berlin:
1. Accessible Berlin https://www.visitberlin.de/en/accessible-berlin
2. Download the accessBerlin app https://www.visitberlin.de/de/accessberlin-app
3. Visit Berlin without barriers https://www.visitberlin.de/en/out-and-about-without-barriers-berlin
4. Wheelchair accessibility on the Berlin public transport system https://wheelchairtravel.org/berlin/public-transportation/

Special thanks to WordCamp London 2019 and WordCamp Europe 2018 for the accessibility information on their websites, which helped inform our own page this year.

If you think we are missing useful information on this page, or if you have any questions or feedback, please contact us.