Accessibility

NordiCHI 2026 is committed to providing an inclusive environment and we will do our best to accommodate requests for special assistance. This page describes the accessibility features of NordiCHI 2026, to help you make an informed decision about whether the conference will be accessible to you. We will work with you to the best of our ability, to make the conference accessible.

The Diversity and Equality Chairs and the Event Producer Certia Events aim to ensure the conference is accessible to everyone. When you register for the conference, you can inform accessibility needs. The Event Producer will follow up with you to clarify your needs. You can reach the Diversity and Inclusion Chairs through nordichi2026accessibility@uwasa.fi and Certia Events through events@certia.fi

Contents

 

Assistance at the Conference

Attendees who require personal care assistance should bring their own assistant. Personal care assistants do not need to register for the conference. Please contact the accessibility chairs if you are bringing a personal care assistant.

Student volunteers will be available to assist attendees with disabilities with navigation, meal service, or other accessibility needs. If you will need volunteer assistance at the conference, please indicate this on your conference registration form or contact nordichi2026accessibility@uwasa.fi

 

Description of Conference Space

The main conference is held at University of Vaasa, Wolffintie 32. The venue has a level entrance with automatic doors. There are elevators in the buildings. which lead to the restrooms and lecture rooms. The registration desk will be located in Main entrance, Tervahovi building, 2nd floor. Lunch and coffee is served in restaurant Mathilda (Tervahovi building, University of Vaasa, 1st floor). Community lunches are served in Alma, a room located by the lunch restaurant Mathilda.  Restrooms, including accessible ones, are available on each floor and can be reached via elevators.

The pre-conference program is held at Academill, Åbo Akademi Vaasa campus at Rantakatu 2. The venue has a level entrance with automatic doors. There are elevators in the buildings, and no stages in the presentation rooms. The elevators lead to the restrooms and lecture rooms. The registration desk will be in B2. Workshops, tutorials, and doctoral consortiums will be held in lecture rooms across the building. Lunch will be served either in the foyer or restaurant Alexander, as well as coffee and refreshments. Restrooms, including accessible ones, are available on each floor close to the elevators and stairs. A map of the building can be found on the wall to the left of the seaside entrance from Rantakatu 2.

 

Emergency Situations:

Main conference venue:

In the event of a fire alarm or other evacuation situation, immediately leave for the assembly point, which is in the upper parking lot of Tervahovi, and wait for instructions from the staff. Please use the EXIT route. In an evacuation situation, instructions can be given over the internal loudspeaker system. There are fire extinguishers in Levon, other halls and the corridor for extinguishing.

IN the event of illness, contact the lobby service. The security guard has FA training. The defibrillator is located next to the door of auditorium Levon in the corridor and restaurant Mathilda.

In the case of theft and disappearance, contact the lobby service immediately at any of the university info desks.

The university has recording camera surveillance.

Pre-conference venue:

In the event of a fire alarm or other evacuation situation, immediately leave for the assembly point, which is the parking lot by the sea, Rantakatu 2, and the yard by the museum. Once there, wait for instructions from the staff. In the event of an alarm, follow the green signs, and use the nearest EXIT route. There are fire extinguishers in the corridor for initial extinguishing. In the event of illness, contact the registration desk or call 112.  One defibrillator is available and located near the main entrance at B1, Rantakatu 2. In the event of theft and lost items, contact ÅAU Safety Officer Roland Nylund: +358 50 086 8623

The university has recording camera surveillance.

 

Wheelchair and Power Scooter Access

The venues for the pre-conference program and the main conference have a level entrance with automatic doors. There are elevators in the buildings, and no stages in the presentation rooms. The elevators lead to the restrooms and lecture rooms. Poster sessions will have space for a wheelchair to move between the posters. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available on each floor, each with grab rails. The presentation rooms will have wheelchair spaces. Student volunteers will be available on request to help with the lunch buffet, and there will be space for wheelchairs at the lunch tables.

Wheelchair presenter description

If you are a presenter who uses a wheelchair, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements. Poster sessions will have space for a wheelchair to move between the posters.

 

Walking

Elevators are located close to the main entrance doors in both venues, and accessible restrooms are available near the elevators on each floor. The distance from the conference spaces to the nearest elevator and accessible restroom is generally short and can be covered without significant walking. Any areas that require movement between different floor levels or spaces are accessible via elevators, and ramps are available where needed to ensure step-free access throughout the venue.

 

Restroom Directions and Access

Restrooms are located close to the stairs and elevators on each floor. Accessible restrooms are clearly marked and can be reached via step-free routes from all conference areas. Signage throughout the venue provides directions to the nearest restroom facilities, and elevators are available for access between floor levels.

 

Arrangements for Presenters with Accessibility Needs

The presentation stage is accessible via a step-free route. Where a raised stage is used, ramp access is available. Presenters who require accessibility accommodations, such as seating, adjusted podium height, assistive technology, or additional space for mobility devices, should contact the conference organizers in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Staff will be available on-site to provide assistance if needed.

 

Service animals

Pet Relief Area

Service animals are welcome throughout the conference venues. Pet relief areas are available in the green spaces surrounding both the pre-conference and main conference venues. Participants may use any of these outdoor areas as needed during the event.

For more information related to animal importation, please see https://www.ruokavirasto.fi/en/animals/travellers/search-engine/

Induction Loops

No induction loops are available in the conference venues.

Microphones

In all sessions at the main conference, microphones will be available for speakers and questions.

 

Food

Lunch and coffee refreshments will be provided during the conference days. A welcome reception and conference dinner will also be held as part of the event program. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, pork-free, and other dietary options requested during registration will be available. Information about the location and serving arrangements for special dietary meals will be available at the registration desk and clearly communicated during the event. Venue staff and student volunteers will be available to assist participants with dietary questions and meal selections.

 

Smoking & Smoking-free Areas

The entire indoor portion of the conference venues are non-smoking areas. Finland has a non-smoking policy and smoking is prohibited in public buildings.

 

Quiet Space & Sensory Impact

Quiet spaces, dedicated baby care rooms, and a prayer room will be available throughout the conference. Attendees who anticipate needing access to a quiet, neurofriendly, prayer, or baby care space are encouraged to contact the conference organizers in advance so that we can help ensure their needs are accommodated during the event.

Main conference venue:

A neurofriendly room (B114) will be available on the first floor close to the poster exhibition, providing a calm environment for attendees who may benefit from a low-stimulation space. A baby care room (C211.2) is available on the second floor close to auditorium Kurtén. This room provides a private and comfortable space for breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and infant care. . Please note that diaper changing should take place in accessible restrooms located in front the registration desk by the main auditorium Levón and in Cafe Oscar in Ankkuri Building. Two drop-in and three bookable rooms (B106.1-B106.5) dedicated for individual working or one-to-one meetings are available next to the poster exhibition, as well as a bookable meeting room of up to five people (C214) close to auditorium Kurtén. Rooms are booked from the registration desk.. A room suitable for praying can be found in Fabriikki building (F458), please contact the registration desk for more information on the location.

Pre-conference venue:

A quiet/prayer room will be available on the second floor (F207) in the F building and can be reached by stairs or elevator from the foyer.

A dedicated baby care room is available on the first floor (Experience Lab), located opposite the entrance (between the stairs and the café) from the seaside. The room i located to the right when entering Experience Lab and it provides a private and comfortable space for breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and infant care. A pantry is also available and includes a microwave oven, refrigerator, sink, running water, and other facilities that may be useful for preparing and storing food or bottles.

Sensory impact

Participants will be requested not to use flash photography or to wear strong scents. Please indicate on your registration form if there are specific items you would like to know about in advance. Some demos and art exhibition pieces may use spotlights or strong lights.

Please contact nordichi2026accessibility@uwasa.fi as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.

 

Accessibility Information for Off-site Events

Off-site wheelchair description

The accessibility of the off-site event venues varies. Please be in contact with us beforehand if you require any assistance regarding accessibility. Step-free routes are available to all main activity areas. However, some rooms are less accessible and to ensure accessibility please be in contact about accessibility needs beforehand. At the welcome reception there is a long staircase to reach the main venue and if you need to use the elevator, please contact the organizers at the front door and preferably also us beforehand. Accessible restrooms are unfortunately not available at the welcome reception venue. Volunteers will assist as required.

Off-site walking description

The walking distance between transportation drop-off points, event activities, and accessible facilities is generally short.

Off-site sensory description

The off-site venues may include periods of moderate noise and increased activity, particularly during networking and meal times. Participants seeking a quieter environment may use designated quiet areas where available. Venue staff and student volunteers can provide assistance and information about less crowded routes and spaces upon request.

 

City accessibility

Vaasa is committed to accessibility and inclusion. The city’s public transport network uses low-floor buses with wheelchair access and assistance features, and many public venues, museums, libraries, and cultural facilities provide accessibility information, accessible entrances, lifts, and accessible toilets. Visitors seeking specific accessibility information are encouraged to contact venues directly or consult the City of Vaasa and Visit Vaasa websites. For more information, please see https://www.vaasa.fi/en/living/traffic-and-streets/public-transport/accessibility-in-public-transport/

For Emergencies

Emergency number

Emergency number 112 assists in emergencies for which you need urgent assistance from the authorities (police, paramedics, fire department, social services).  If you require non-urgent medical care dial 116117 or contact University Info desks, registration desk, or ask any student volunteer. They will provide you with information about local doctors, specialists, etc.

Hospital distance

The nearest hospital is Vaasa Central Hospital. The distance from the pre-conference venue to the hospital is 1,8 km and 3 km from the main conference venue.