Information on accessibility and inclusivity at WordCamp Europe 2024

This page will be updated over the next few weeks as we finalise arrangements for the event.
Last updated: 8 June 2024

WordCamp Europe 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’ve prepared this page to bring together relevant information for attendees.

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

1. General information
2. Useful info (Venue)
3. Accessible transport in Torino
4. For attendees who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or sound sensitive
5. For attendees who are blind, partially-sighted,  photo or light sensitive
6. For attendees with autism, anxiety or neurodivergence
7. Food and dietary information
8. Smoking
9. For parents
10. Quiet zones
11. For travellers
12. WordCamp Europe website accessibility
13. Are we missing something?

General information

Our venue this year is the Lingotto Conference Centre, known as Lingotto Fiere in Torino, Italy. 

On event days, you’ll be able to locate a member of the organising and volunteering team as they’ll be wearing Black or Grey branded WCEU t-shirts and will be happy to assist you.

The information desk is located centrally within the venue in the main corridor between Halls 1 and 3.

As part of our sustainability commitments, we will not be distributing printed copies of the event schedule or maps of the venue – however, we will have large print versions of both located within the venue for communal use by all attendees.

Lingotto Fiere is all based on 1 floor with no steps or lifts / escalators required to be used by attendees. Where access to a stage is required by speakers, an accessible route (such as a ramp) will be provided.

Some areas of the venue used for event operations (such as Organising teams and for Media / Sponsor meeting rooms) are located on the first floor, and accessible using a dedicated lift. This is located at the entrance to the Organisers HQ identified on the venue map.

If you advised on your ticket booking that you have any accessibility needs, you should have received an email from our Attendee Services team to help you further. Please do contact us if we can be of help.

Venue map

You can view our Venue Map for details of key areas, and we’ve a dedicated sponsors map to help you locate organisations you’d like to meet. All attendee areas are based on the ground floor.

The venue has a number of seated areas available, both within the main conference halls and in the corridors in between these. Additionally, seating is available outside the venue.

All areas which we’re using within Lingotto Fiere will be clearly signposted using WordCamp Europe branded signs in English language, and you’ll find our Volunteers and Organisers around the venue if you need help locating a specific area.

Useful info (Venue)

• Lingotto Fiere is a large complex which was previously used as a factory for the FIAT group, creating a range of cars.
• The event building is adjacent to the larger Lingotto building which has been converted into a range of hotels, restaurants, shopping centre, cinema and leisure complex, along with a museum on the rooftop which was previously a test track.
• The venue will be clearly signposted with signage from the nearby Metro station (called Lingotto) and also with banners on the approach and outside the building.
• The Lingotto Fiere complex is all based on one floor. Only Organisers, Sponsors and Media Partners will need to access the first floor area and there is a lift available to access this area.
• There is a large car park located adjacent to the building which has 3,300 parking spaces, including accessible spaces.
• Electric Car Charging points are located at the rear of the main Lingotto building, accessible from Via Giacomo Mattè Trucco.
• Toilets within the venue are clearly marked including those which have additional access facilities or are allocated as gender-neutral. You can check the location of your nearest facilities on our venue maps, and they will also be signposted accordingly. Sanitary items will be available within gender-neutral and accessible toilets – please let a volunteer know if you need any assistance or if additional sanitary items are needed.
• You can also locate toilets on our venue maps
• Guide dogs as well as assistance dogs are welcome at the venue.
• There is no luggage storage facility at the venue available. If your hotel does not provide storage facilities, we would recommend using the Stow Your Bags service available at Porta Nuova Train Station. Further information is on the Turismo Torino website.

Accessible transport in Torino

Torino has a large public transport network using a variety of modes. 

Metro

The Torino Metro (Metropolitana di Torino) system comprises one line which crosses the city. There are stops at mainline railway stations (Porta Nuova and Porta Susa) and a station is located right outside our venue (Lingotto Metro station).

All services are fully autonomous and are accessible with ramps and elevators (lifts) located on each platform and station. 

If you need assistance, speak with a member of staff at the station

Buses

Buses on line 18 stop in front of the venue (bus stop number 912 / Lingotto). Most buses have a kneeling system or a ramp installed which is operated by the driver. A number of stops have precast concrete platforms to aid with boarding/alighting from vehicles

Train

Lingotto Railway Station is located behind the venue and is on the mainline to the Airport. Most trains on this route are ‘double-deck style’ and have stairs between floors, however all trains are accessible – look for the accessible icon on the side of the train doors to locate the dedicated areas where steps are not required.

The train from the Airport takes approx 40 minutes and is direct. Train arrivals are announced and shown on display boards on the platforms. Onboard, trains announce the upcoming station stop.

Due to nearby construction, the route from the train station to the venue is approx 21 minutes / 1.4km. Google Map.

• Airport Train Information (provided by Torino Airport)

Tram 

Torino has a tram system which has been in operation since 1871 – and runs 10 different lines across the city. None of the trams run close to the Lingotto complex, and some are inaccessible to wheelchairs or those with mobility difficulties – please check the GTT Website for further information. 

Companions

Attendees 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 attendees who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or sound sensitive

• Live captioning will be provided 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.
• 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.

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

• Guide dogs as well as assistance dogs are welcome at the venue
• Large print versions of the schedule and other documents will be available at registration desks.
• The schedule and other relevant information will be available on our website. If you have any difficulty viewing resources through our website, please contact us.
• 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.
• Public transport: The colours of the Metro lines use the ColorADD system to allow colour blind people to identify the colours.

For attendees with autism, anxiety or neurodivergence

• Anyone feeling anxious or nervous about the event are welcome to arrive early to help get settled in the venue.
• Due to venue space restrictions, and the nature of the venue being an old factory, there are no quiet room facilities available within the venue.

Food and dietary information

• Food and drinks will be available at the venue. Lunch menus can be viewed here.
  • Food choices will include many vegetarian and vegan dishes.
• An assortment of beverages, including tea, coffee, fresh water and soft drinks are available at the venue. There will be snacks available and lunch is provided.
• We request information about personal dietary requirements when purchasing a 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.
• Kosher and Halal meals will be distributed separately to those who have indicated this during ticket purchase. These meals are not part of the open buffet.
• The Halal meal option does not currently contain any meat due to available choices provided by the venue’s catering service.
• Alcohol, tobacco and unlawful drugs are not permitted at the venue. You are welcome to bring your own prescription medication.

Smoking

• Smoking, including electronic cigarettes / vapes are prohibited in all indoor areas.
• A dedicated smoking area will be available outside towards the rear of the building, near Hall 3. Smoking is prohibited in all other areas outside the venue.
• In addition, smoking in many areas outdoors in Italy is prohibited, especially public areas.
• From April 2024, Torino’s city council has approved a regulation banning people from smoking or vaping within a five-metre radius of another person outdoors, unless they specifically consent to it.
• Please check regulations to avoid breaking local or national laws.

For parents

Nursing and Lactation Room

This is a breastfeeding-friendly event. There is a childcare facility available during the event as detailed below.

Childcare Room

We provide free childcare services during Contributor day and the main conference. Registration details are available here.

Toilets which have baby changing facilities are signposted on both our maps and internally within the venue.

Quiet zones

Due to the venue size and nature of its construction, we’re unable to provide a dedicated Quiet Room at the event this year.

Our venue is naturally busy and may be noisy at times during our event. 

After Party

The WCEU After Party will likely be noisy and dark with flashing lights.

There will be quieter areas located outside the After Party area for those who would prefer to hang out in a quieter space.

For travellers

Accommodation

For information about accessible accommodation, we would recommend that you contact your preferred hotel or accommodation provider in advance to ensure they have the relevant facilities available.

Most larger chain hotels have accessible rooms and facilities available.

WordCamp Europe has partnered with the Convention Bureau of Turismo Torino e Provincia (the tourist board of the city) to arrange accommodation options at a range of hotels within the city, through the Incoming Service website. 

You can contact the Incoming Service team here, and they are able to assist with queries in regards to accommodation within the city and region.

Getting around Torino

Despite being at the bottom of the Alps, most of Torino is generally quite flat within the town centre, and accessible around the main city squares. The Metro and Bus routes are accessible, with some taxis that can assist manual and automated wheelchairs – please check with the service provider beforehand.

Some older bars, restaurants, and shops may be inaccessible or not have adaptations to support people with mobility difficulties. Newer bars must have wheelchair-accessible bathrooms – and many may indicate this on their website. We recommend contacting venues beforehand to check what facilities they have.

WordCamp Europe website accessibility

WordCamp Europe is committed to being as inclusive and accessible as possible. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and applying the relevant accessibility standards. 

A full Accessibility Statement is available on the WordPress.org website:  https://wordpress.org/about/accessibility/ 

Feedback

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of the WordCamp Europe website. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers.

Contact form: https://europe.wordcamp.org/2024/contact/general/

Are we missing something?

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