Conference Accessibility

Main Conference Venue

The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) conference venue is on two floors:

Two sets of lifts  (elevators) are located in foyer C/G and foyer B/F. We request that people use the escalator or stairs unless they need to use the lift for mobility access. However, it is still likely that the lifts will be in high demand between sessions so plan for extra time if you need to change floors. There will be a volunteer in a green t-shirt available to assist at the elevators.

Arena rooms 1a and 1b are on two levels. The ground floor of the arena will have flat floor seating suitable for wheelchair access. The first floor has fixed tiered seating accessed via stairs. People using mobility aids are advised to enter the arena rooms on the ground floor.

Accessible restrooms are available throughout the venue on both floors. Signs to identify whether the toilet has a right or left handed grab rail will be displayed on the bathroom door.

Restrooms with change table and hoist are available on both floors.  You will need to bring your own sling to use with the portable hoist.

  • Ground floor in Green room 3 off Foyer A (behind the posters)
  • First floor in the bathroom off the Gallery area (between rooms 2 and 3).

Signs will be located on the doors to indicate the availability of these facilities

  • Engaged (red – do not enter)
  • Vacant (green – enter)

Please remember to change the sign when you enter or leave these bathrooms.

Quiet room with couches for people who need some relaxation time without distractions is located in Green room 2.

All special meals (dietary & texture) for morning and afternoon tea (and lunch if paid for with your registration) will be located in Foyer A/B.

Blender Bar is on the ground floor in foyer B next to the ISAAC booth. It will be open during the morning, afternoon and lunch breaks for those who need their foods blended. Volunteers will be available at the Blender Bar to assist you.

Car park

Parking is available at the GCCEC https://www.gccec.com.au/parking.html.

There are 38 spaces marked as accessible carparks on the upper level of the underground carpark.  Approximately half of these provide a wider space, the remainder are more of a standard size carpark.  The underground parking has a height restriction of 2.1metres.  Please contact the accessibility committee accessibility@isaac-online.org if you require parking for a van that exceeds this height.

Social Events

Welcome Reception is at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The President’s Reception is at the poolside venue of The Star, Gold Coast. Volunteers in green T-shirts will direct you from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre via the foot bridge, over the river, into the hotel, down the lift (elevator) and outside to the beautiful poolside venue. Accessible toilets, change table and portable hoist will be available in the spa area at the venue.

The ticketed social event at Dreamworld Corroboree is approximately 45 minutes’ drive from the convention centre. Accessible transport will be provided from outside the convention centre. Accessible toilets and a hoist to a change table will be available at the venue.  Note it is not possible to hoist onto a toilet at this venue.

Community Accessibility

Communication Access

SCOPE Australia and the ISAAC 2018 accessibility sub-committee have offered training and information to local businesses and organisations to support communication access.

Look for the sign that identify communication friendly businesses in the Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise areas of the Gold Coast.

Public Transport

The G:Link is a fully accessible tram service that connects many of the main tourist areas along the Gold Coast.

  • Griffith University (for Pre-Conference workshops) is serviced by Gold Coast University Hospital station.
  • Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (for the main conference) and The Star, Gold Coast (President’s reception)are serviced by Broadbeach North station.
  • The Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, the official conference hotel, is serviced by Florida Gardens station.

To book an accessible taxi while on the Gold Coast or when returning to the airport, call 131008 or 55881234 (from mobile cell phone)

 Useful links:

 

Create your own Introduction Card

  • Are you an AAC user?
  • Do you have an introduction card?

Introduction cards are a great way to “break the ice” when talking to new people who may not know how to best communicate with you.

Have a look at a few examples here:

Introduction cards explain in 3-4 bullet points how you communicate, and what your communication partner can do to make communication smooth and successful.

At the 2018 ISAAC Conference, Scope Australia’s Communication and Inclusion Resource Centre (CIRC) will be making personalised introduction cards for anybody who would like one, using the Tools2Talk+ communication tool-maker app.

Come on over to Stand 18 and start making your own introduction card!

  • More information on Scope Australia here

 

Please contact the accessibility committee accessibility@isaac-online.org if you require additional information.

Hotel Accommodation

Do you have questions about finding accessible accommodation on the Gold Coast?

Public Transportation

G:link trams make it easy to get around the Gold Coast. Every service and every station caters for passengers of all mobility levels. All aspects of the system design including vehicles, stations and access to stations are based on compliance with Disability Discrimination Act and Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport requirements.

  • For more details, visit the G:link website by clicking on the logo below or the link at the right

 

For accessible transportation information, please visit Getting to and around the Gold Coast.

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