General Access Information

Access Guide Overview

These pages offer full details on how we will work towards this goal to make this event safer and more inclusive for all attendees. We are hosting an online relaxed space event and will acknowledge ‘Crip time’ in recognition that disabled, Mad, Deaf, and differently embodied/enminded people orient to time differently.

We welcome you to come and go from this event as you need.

• All keynotes, panel presentations, and live performances will have ASL and Audio Description interpretation and live transcription.
• ASL and Audio Description interpreters will be present for scheduled portions of Gather Town events. Visual support ushers and volunteer ushers will also be available.
• An accessibility point person will be available throughout the event who can assist with troubleshooting access issues.

Access Requests

Access requests can be made through the registration process on the registration page. Please note our deadline for requests is Friday, December 17, 2021. Because access takes time to coordinate, we request that you ask for access in enough time for us to arrange with our access team. If you registered after the access request deadline and you require access support for events in Gather Town, we will try our best to accommodate requests.

Please provide us with information you feel comfortable sharing or feel free to contact us. If you have questions about the accessibility of our event, platforms, and presentations, need assistance with access, want an accommodation that isn’t yet set up, or you would prefer to discuss your request with a member of our team, please reach out to Marnie Eves or Jodie Salter at revision@uoguelph.ca. 

Access Contact Person

During the gathering, if you have any challenges accessing any of the events or activities, support staff can be contacted at revision@uoguelph.ca or at 519-824-4120 ext. 54942 (NOTE: this phone will be monitored during event hours only.)

If you have questions about the accessibility of our event, platforms, and presentations, need assistance with access or registration, want an accommodation that isn’t yet set up, or you would prefer to discuss your request with a member of our team, please reach out to Marnie Eves or Jodie Salter at revision@uoguelph.ca. If you require a phone call to talk about your options, please email us to organize a phone call.

If you identify accessibility issues or coding errors on any of these webpages, please email Jodie Salter at revision@uoguelph.ca.

Accessing the Event Online

You will need to have access to a computer or web-enabled device with internet and a browser that can play streaming video. The recommended browser is Chrome for all devices. 

Chrome now includes a Live Captioning extension that works well for users who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

Links to all sessions and events will be posted on the Restricted Access – Registered Attendees only webpage. You will receive the access password in your registration confirmation email.

ASL Interpreters

ASL interpretation will be provided for this event.

In Zoom sessions, we will “pin” our ASL Interpreters. Choose “Speaker View” from the top right-hand View menu, and you will always be able to see the session speakers and the ASL Interpreter. For more information, see Zoom – Access Guide.

Any individual who needs additional information or assistance with ASL interpretation, please contact revision@uoguelph.ca. For more information, please read X University’s ensuring ASL interpreter is always visible.

For a list of our ASL team.

Audio Description

All performances (live and pre-recorded) will include audio description. For detailed instructions on how to activate Audio Description in Zoom, see Zoom – Access Guide.

For a list of our Audio Description team.

Screen Readers and Other Assistive Technology

If you use assistive technology such as screen reading software, it must be configured to enable your computer to interact with web and streaming video content.  

Zoom supports Keyboard Shortcuts for easy navigation and is compatible with screen readers such as NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, and Android Talkback. For more information, see our Zoom – Access Guide.

 X University’s guide to Keyboard and screen reader accessibility in Zoom.

Live Transcription

All sessions will include a person providing transcription on screen for live events and closed captioning for any pre-recorded events. You can access live-transcription in Zoom via your desktop or phone (how-to directions at this link).

For live transcription for our Gather Town events, we will be using Googledocs.

• Link for Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon – Live Transcription googledoc
• Link for Book Launch – Live Transcription googledoc
• Link for Dance Party – Live Transcription googledoc

If you have any questions about the live transcription, please email revision@uoguelph.ca. 

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