ACCESS KEY

This access key contains information on event accessibility and navigating the venue.  As Leadership is a hybrid event, it contains information for both in-person and online-only attendees.

If you have any questions relating to accessibility at Leadership 2025, please reach out to us at info@australianprogress.org.au.

You can access this information in Word document form here.

For In-Person Attendees

  • Description text goes hereOld Parliament House is wheelchair accessible. 

    • There is both ramp and stairs access walkway to the venue. The southern driveway on Queen Victoria Terrace meets with the start of ramp to allow for easy transition from vehicle to venue entrance.

    • There is step free access between meeting rooms and public spaces.

    • There is a single-step to access gendered toilets in the venue; however there is step-free access to the gender-neutral and accessible toilets.

    • There is a single-step to access the Secretariat (serving as Production Room) from the Senate Corridor, however there is step-free access from the Members bar side.

  • There are accessible bathrooms outside of Members Dining Room 2 – East side, down the corridor corner (approx 50 m from the main conference room). 

    There are also two accessible bathrooms a short distance from Kings Hall, for during the drinks portion on Day 1.

  • Windows and outside doors will largely remain closed during the event, for the purposes of maintaining a comfortable room temperature.

    We will be supplying air purifiers with HEPA Filter throughout the venue space, to reduce the risk of COVID or other airborne contaminants.

    We will also observe at minimum a 1 person per 3m2 (225 capacity) self-imposed density limit.

  • We highly encourage mask wearing when not eating or drinking. However, as a significant amount of the time at Leadership will be spent in small table discussions, where masks could impact speech acoustics (and create barriers to access), we are not requiring or enforcing mask use.

  • Hearing loops are available for use in the break-out and plenary spaces at Leadership 2025. 

    Handheld microphones will be available to use in all plenary and break-out spaces, with roving microphones to amplify audience questions. We ask all speakers to use a microphone if one is available (even if you have vocal training/speak loudly normally).

  • We will have live captions delivered by The Captioning Studio, available via caption viewer link which can be accessed on your personal devices. This will by default cover the content from the main stage. 

    Captions for small-group table discussion can also be organised. If you require captions for small-group table discussions, please let us know upon registering, or contact us at info@australianprogress.org.au by May 1st.

  • Item descriptionIf you require AUSLAN interpretation, Deaf/Blind Interpreters, live captioning, please let us know upon registering, or contact us at info@australianprogress.org.au by May 1st.

    For any requests for Auslan interpretation received after May 1st, we will do our best to arrange interpreters but may not be able to.

  • All service animals are welcome at Old Parliament House.

    Please don’t pet, distract, or take photos of assistance animals as these animals need to be able to concentrate on doing their jobs well.

  • We ask that you limit your use of scented products if you can do so without negatively affecting your health. For those with asthma, migraine, and chemical sensitivities, fewer fragrances and particulates make the conference a place we can attend. 

    Leadership 2025 is not, however, a fragrance-free conference. As the buildings used public access/may have other patrons, we cannot guarantee it will be fully fragrance-free. 

    Old Parliament House is a no-smoking venue.

  • Due to the limited number of available spaces at Old Parliament House, we are still to confirm whether an indoor quiet space will be available to us during the event. 

    The Senate and House of Reps courtyards, however, can be accessed via elevator from our meeting space, and will be available as an outdoor space, weather permitting.

  • Companion Card holders qualify for a complimentary ticket for their companion. Please contact us directly via email to arrange a free ticket.

  • There is heating throughout the venue, which can be turned on/off as needed.

  • Leadership 2025 provides information in various formats. The full program will be distributed to participants prior to the conference, and printed copies will be available on the day. 

    If you need a large print or Braille version, please contact us before May 1st at info@australianprogress.org.au.

  • Baby changing facilities are located on the Lower Floor and the Main Floor of OPH, and will be open/available during the event.

  • If you need immediate medical assistance during the event, come to the registration desk or - if this is not possible - please ask any volunteer or staff member. We will direct you to a qualified first aider and/or escort you there.

For ONLINE Attendees

  • During the online component of Leadership, we will be meeting via Zoom. If you have access to a computer or laptop, we recommend you join the event by computer to make navigating the materials easier.

    See here for accessibility documentation for Zoom; including a list of keyboard shortcuts here.

  • As a cohort, we will set expectations at the start of the conference to ensure everyone can comfortably participate in the event.

  • During the online sessions, we will encourage everyone to have your cameras on if you feel comfortable, but we will not require you to do so.

  • We will have live captions delivered by The Captioning Studio, available via caption viewer link which can be accessed on your personal devices. Because the Zoom meeting will also be used for remote presenters, captions will not be linked to Zoom directly.

  • We will be sharing materials for the conference over Google Drive, Google Docs and Google Slides. All documents, forms, and surveys will be provided in accessible formats.

  • Breaks will be organised regularly throughout the event, to coincide with in-person meal breaks.

  • We do not supply recordings of events such as Leadership as it is a Chatham House rules event. Where video or audio content is included during the presentation or in any of the resources, we will provide audio descriptions, captions or transcripts as needed.

  • The online portion of Leadership will regularly use breakout rooms, with group sizes ranging from pairs, through to groups of 5-10 for discussions and workshop activities.

  • In the registration form, we will ask you for your access needs. If you require something in place that is not already arranged, or if you need more information about any part of the event, we will work with you to provide this.

INFORMATION FOR ALLIES

The behaviour of everyone in the space shapes whether or not it is an accessible space. All members create a universally accessible event by paying attention to our own behaviour and attitudes. Here are some ways that you can do this:

  • Elevators – convenience vs. necessity. If you can use the stairways to move between program floors, please do! If you can only travel down, that still makes an important difference. Some of us absolutely depend on the elevators just to access the conference. The reason might not be visible (e.g. arthritic knees or limited breathing); or might be obvious (e.g. wheelchair or canes) — but the need is still there.

  • Maintain clear paths. Our events provide fantastic opportunities to talk, but clogged doorways and hallways make navigation time-consuming for all, and impossible for some of us. Tuck your belongings in front of your feet or under your seat. Remind members gathered in doorways or hallways of the need to share the limited space so all of us can move freely. 

  • We ask that you limit your use of scented products if you can do so without negatively affecting your health. For those with asthma, migraine, and chemical sensitivities, fewer fragrances, vapors, and particulates make the conference a place we can attend. Leadership 2025 is not, however, a fragrance-free conference. 

  • Old Parliament House is a no-smoking venue. We ask that you stick to designated smoking areas and remain mindful of other participants and the public.

  • Service Animal Etiquette. Service and assistance animals are welcome at Leadership 2025. Please don’t pet, distract, or take photos of assistance animals as these animals to be able to concentrate on doing their jobs well. 

For panelists/presenters:

  • Keep your lips visible for those who speech-read.

  • Use a microphone if one is available (even if you have vocal training).

  • If using Powerpoint or other presentation software please aim to use a standard slide layout, change your title every slide and use alternative text (alt text) for images and objects, such as pictures, charts, shapes as screen reading applications will read the alt text when an image is encountered in the document.

  • Use a font size between 12 and 18 points for body text and larger font sizes if showing your presentation on a projector.

  • Use high color contrast for text in presentations or handouts. Low contrast may be difficult or impossible for colorblind or low vision users to read.

  • Caption any video/audio content.

  • Describe any images/charts you are using, for the benefit of blind or low vision members (general descriptions are fine; describe any relevant details). If presenting video content, share a brief visual description of the relevant information before the video.  

  • If you are using paper handouts, please also have an electronic version available as these help people who want enlarged text or who use screen reading software.

  • Let people know if you will be using animations or other video content (particularly with rapid flashing/strobing) as they may be migraine/seizure triggers for some.

 
 

CONTACT US ABOUT BECOMING AN EVENT PARTNER FOR LEADERSHIP 2025.