Accessibility at AIDS 2022

AIDS 2022 is committed to accommodating the needs of individuals with disabilities by providing the following services: 

  • Accessibility desk 
  • Free registration for personal assistance (upon request and approval of required documentation) 
  • Wheelchairs (upon request) 
  • Live translation of speech into text (CART, or real-time captioning) for selected key sessions 
  • Stage lift for speakers (upon request) 
  • Disability networking zone (DNZ) in the Global Village 

For any accessibility-related questions, please contact [email protected]. 

Conference accessibility

Accessibility desk 

For questions related to assistance on site, people with disabilities should go to the accessibility desk, located in the registration area and open during the official registration opening hours. 

Personal assistance (upon request and approval of required documentation) 

Conference delegates with specific accessibility needs who are interested in bringing their own assistant with them (such as a sign language interpreter or other assistant) are requested to contact us at [email protected]. 

Wheelchairs (upon request) 

Conference delegates will be able to borrow manual wheelchairs at the accessibility desk. Any requests must be sent in advance to [email protected]. The use of the wheelchair is free, although you will be asked to leave a CAD 25 deposit on site. The wheelchairs can be used only inside the venue. 

Real-time captioning (CART typology) for selected key sessions 

Real-time captioning (CART typology) will be provided for the opening ceremony, the daily plenary sessions, the special sessions and the rapporteur and closing session. 

Stage lift (upon request) 

The IAS has arranged to have a stage lift for the duration of the conference. Speakers who have a particular need are requested to contact [email protected] by 8 July 2022. 

Disability networking zone

This 12th edition of the disability networking zone (DNZ) will include a three-day programme in which participants can meet, learn from each other’s experiences and engage around cutting-edge global research evidence and good practices. The DNZ organizers will also engage with the conference organizers to support an inclusive and accessible conference process. 

There will be presentations, testimonies, roundtable discussions and interactive sessions that enable participants to share their knowledge with a wide range of conference delegates and visitors. In this COVID-19 context, there will be a hybrid model of presentations so that presenters who are unable to travel will have the opportunity to present to a global audience. 

The disability networking zone aims to: 

  • Support AIDS 2022 to ensure accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities.  
  • Actively involve people with disabilities and people living with HIV who experience disability, whether episodic, temporary or permanent. 
  • Increase awareness and knowledge on the intersections of disability and HIV.
  • Disseminate and present cutting-edge research evidence, innovations and good practices through diverse formats.
  • Enhance engagement and dialogue with researchers, donors, advocates and people with disabilities. 
  • Enhance strategic networking among disability-oriented organizations, organizations of people with disabilities, mainstream AIDS-related NGOs, government stakeholders, researchers, clinicians and activists. 
  • Explore the trends in HIV stigma as people living with HIV age. 
  • Explore the impact of the intersection of COVID-19 and HIV on people with disabilities. 
  • Translate lessons learnt into recommendations for action at all levels to improve equity for people with disabilities. 

Venue accessibility

The Palais des Congrès is accessible to anyone with reduced mobility. The venue has received the highest-level rating – fully accessible – by Kéroul, which leads in promoting and developing accessible tourism and culture. Amenities at the Palais des Congrès include access ramps, lifts, TDD phone signage, electric washroom doors, and visual and audible emergency warning signals.