UBICOMP / ISWC 2020
ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Our goal is to make Ubicomp / ISWC 2020 accessible and inclusive for anyone who would like to attend. Below, we provide a list of specific steps that we are taking to make the conference accessible. We encourage attendees who have specific accessibility related questions, or simply want to know more about the current arrangements, to contact the accessibility chairs (accessibility-2020@ubicomp.org).

Web Accessibility

This year we updated the legacy Ubicomp website template to ensure WGAC accessibility at the AA level of compliance. Future UbiComp conference will also benefit from this change. Going forward we will strive to improve towards the AAA level of compliance.

Online Conference Tool Accessibility

We recognize the poor accessibility of Gather.town chosen for UbiComp / ISWC 2020 puts an unfair burden on disabled people, especially blind, low vision, deaf and hard of hearing participants. The accessibility team has worked closely with the Virtual Reality chairs to layout the virtual space to make the space as easy to navigate as possible for low vision or mobility challenged participants within the constraints of the technology. We are reporting back to AccessSIGCHI, ISWC, and SIGCHI generally to recommend Gather.town NOT be used in the future for their conferences unless accessibility issues are addressed. We apologize in advance, but as we are all learning we would welcome your specific feedback so we can work to ensuring an inclusive conference experience for all participants in the future.

Proceedings

We expect that all final camera-ready submissions, including supplementary content, will be accessible, and are providing support and guidance in order to help facilitate this. We ask for authors to please note the Accessibility Guidelines provided in the submissions process.

Videos and Demonstrations

Guidelines for providing accessible videos and demonstrations can be found at the accessibility Presentation Guidelines page, and authors are encouraged to follow this.

Companion Registration

Full access for an accessibility-related assistant (e.g., Personal Care Assistant, Interpreter, etc.) will be provided at no cost. Please indicate this request during your own registration (under the Special Accommodations section) so we can follow this up. SVs can also provide assistance if requested.

We are aware that every individual’s needs are unique, and in the interest of making Ubicomp / ISWC 2020 an enjoyable and informative experience for all, we are ready and willing to make every effort to accommodate all participants. For any individual accessibility-related concerns or requests (e.g. logistics, tools, materials access, etc.), please contact the accessibility chairs at accessibility-2020@ubicomp.org. All requests made will be strictly confidential to the accessibility chairs, with no further communication about your disability or circumstances taking place without your expressed permission.

Please consult the UbiComp / ISWC 2020 Virtual Accessibility FAQ for details on how we will ensure an accessible conference.