CHI 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 CHI 2026, to
help you make an informed decision about whether the conference will be
accessible to you. Please contact us if your question is not answered
here, or if the conference arrangements as described are not enough to
allow you to attend. We will work with you to the best of our ability,
to make the conference accessible.
Table of Contents
- How do I communicate accessibility needs to CHI 2026 organizers?
- Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?
- Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?
- What are the taxi and public transport options for getting to the conference venue?
- Who can I ask about accessibility in Barcelona?
- Can a student volunteer assist me during the conference?
- What is the conference space like?
- Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?
- What are the restroom facilities like?
- Can I bring my guide dog?
- Can I attend the conference by robot?
- How much walking or standing will be needed?
- Will there be an induction loop in the meeting rooms?
- Will speakers and audience members asking questions be using a microphone?
- What food service will be provided?
- Can the conference accommodate special dietary needs?
- Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?
- Will there be loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, or other strong sensory experiences?
- Will there be a designated quiet space at the conference?
- What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during the conference?
How do I communicate accessibility needs to CHI 2026 organizers?
The Accessibility Chairs for CHI 2026 aim to ensure the conference is accessible to everyone. When you register for the conference, there will be a registration question labeled, “Do you have a disability or special need that impacts your access to ACM conferences, special interest groups, publications or digital resources?” When you answer ‘Yes’ to this question, a set of accommodation options will open up, such as wheelchair access, sign language interpretation, or a guide. Please select any options that will help make the conference accessible to you. The accessibility chairs will follow up to discuss your needs in more detail. You can contact them directly at any time by emailing access@chi2026.acm.org.
- Please make any accessibility requests by February 13th so that we can accommodate them on time. We will do our best to address requests submitted after this date, though some accommodations may not be possible due to the timing.
- Please indicate dietary restrictions on the registration form in response to the question, “Do you have any dietary restrictions?”
- Please be aware that some accommodations and dietary needs may be difficult to provide at short notice, and we may not be able to accommodate every request.You can contact them directly at any time by emailing .
Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?
More information about the venue is available on the CCIB’s website.
If you have any additional questions about accessibility at the CCIB, or if there is specific accessibility related information you would like to see here, please reach out to the Accessibility Chairs: access@chi2026.acm.org
Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?
American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters or captioners will be available if requested by any attendees during the early registration period. Please indicate in your registration form if you require ASL interpretation and/or captions by 13th February (the deadline for early registration). After the 13th of February, we will make every effort to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee that interpreters or captioners will be available.
What are the taxi and public transport options for getting to the conference venue?
Information about transportation to the conference venue can be found on the Access and Transport page of their website. If you have any further questions, please contact the accessibility chairs at access@chi2026.acm.org, and we will do our best to assist you.
Who can I ask about accessibility in Barcelona?
For information on accessibility in Barcelona, including public transport, visit the Barcelona City Council website.
If you have any additional questions please reach out to the Accessibility Chairs: access@chi2026.acm.org and we will do our best to help you.
Can a student volunteer assist me during the conference?
Student volunteers will be available to assist attendees with navigation, during meal breaks, or with other accessibility needs. If you will need volunteer assistance at the conference, please indicate this on your conference registration form.
Attendees who require personal care assistance should bring their own assistant. Personal care assistants will need to register for the conference, but do not need to pay a registration fee Please contact the accessibility chairs at access@chi2026.acm.org if you need a registration code for a personal care assistant.
What is the conference space like?
CHI 2026 will be held at the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB). The majority of conference activities will take place in the main building, which has four entrances (indicated with red circles on the Level P0 map). Each entrance includes revolving doors and an adjacent wheelchair-accessible door. The main building has 5 levels: P0, M1, P1, M2, and P2. All levels are connected by escalators and elevators. The elevators accommodate standard-sized wheelchairs; however, space may be limited for larger power wheelchairs or large mobility scooters. The escalators connecting the floors have approximately 20 steps and are indicated on the maps provided below.
Each floor includes at least one gender-neutral restroom, with locations identified on the maps. Separate prayer rooms for males and females are located on floor M2 (rooms M220 and M221). Additionally, a quiet room is also available on floor M2 (room M219).
A childcare area and nursing room are available on floor P2, as indicated on the map. Designated space for guide dogs is available outside the main building, directly in front of entrances C and D.
Keynote presentations will be held in the main auditorium, which is connected to the main building via a walkway of approximately 500 steps. Wheelchair-accessible seating is available in the lower-level stalls, in rows near the auditorium entrances. The upper-level stalls are not wheelchair accessible. Auditorium seats are approximately 42 cm wide and include fixed armrests.
For the overall layout of the venue, please refer to this official map of the conference space. We have some detailed maps on our site too. In accordance with the Spanish Royal Decree-Law in Energy Efficiency, the temperature of the building has to be set between 25C (77F) and 23C (73.4F). Please see our other FAQs for more details about wheelchair or power scooter access, provisions for presenters, restrooms, walking and steps, and facilities for assistance animals.
Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?
Yes, the conference will be accessible to wheelchair users. Please see our other FAQs for a description of the conference space. If you need a power scooter, please contact the Access Chairs at access@chi2026.acm.org as soon as possible. Please contact us for details on wheelchair access to official offsite events.
What are the restroom facilities like?
Gender-neutral restrooms are available throughout the conference venue. All restrooms include at least one wheelchair-accessible stall. Information about restroom locations is provided in the description of the conference space.
Can I bring my guide dog?
Yes, guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at CHI 2026. A relief area will be provided in front of entrances C and D of the main building. Please indicate on your registration form if you plan to bring a service animal to the conference.
Can I attend the conference by robot?
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate attendance by telepresence robots.
How much walking or standing will be needed?
The registration desk is located approximately 50 steps from the closest entrance to the conference venue. The nearest elevator to the registration desk is also approximately 50 steps away. Escalators connecting the venue floors include approximately 20 steps each. Within the session rooms, the stage is approximately 40 steps from the room entrance. The longest walking distance within the conference venue is between the main building and the keynote auditorium, which is approximately 500 steps. Seating will be available throughout corridor areas to support rest as needed.
Please contact the Access Chairs at access@chi2026.acm.org as early as possible if you have further questions or requests regarding mobility in the conference venue.
Will there be an induction loop in the meeting rooms?
The venue does not have induction loops or offer assistive listening devices. If you require audio enhancement, please contact the Access Chairs at access@chi2026.acm.org as early as possible to discuss your needs.
Will speakers and audience members asking questions be using a microphone?
Yes, all speakers and attendees asking questions will be encouraged to use microphones.
What food service will be provided?
Details about the food services will be made available soon. If you have special dietary requirements, please indicate these on your registration form. Additionally, the CHI F&B Manager from our events management team can review your questions and explore available options within the conference venue. Please contact the Access Chairs at access@chi2026.acm.org if you have any special dietary requirements so we can communicate these to the Events team.
Can the conference accommodate special dietary needs?
Yes. Attendees who indicate special dietary requirements on their registration form will be provided with special meals when the conference catering is unable to accommodate them. Please indicate your specific dietary requirements on your registration form. For more detailed information, please contact the Access Chairs at access@chi2026.acm.org.
Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?
The entire conference building is a no-smoking area. Information about dedicated outdoor smoking areas around the conference venue will be available in due course.
Will there be loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, or other strong sensory experiences?
Loud music, strobe lighting, and spotlights are not expected to be part of the conference program. However, some attendees may find the ceiling lights uncomfortable. A quiet room will be available for attendees who may need to take a break. If you have specific accessibility-related concerns or would like advanced information about environmental conditions, please indicate this on your registration form or contact the Access Chairs at access@chi2026.acm.org.
Will there be a designated quiet space at the conference?
Yes! A designated quiet room will be available at the conference venue. The room is located on Floor M2 and will be clearly marked with signage. Its exact location is also indicated on the venue maps included in this FAQ.
What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during the conference?
In case of emergency call 112 for emergency services in Spain. We are still checking on the distance to the nearest hospital. If you require non-urgent medical care during the conference, please ask any student volunteer who will be able to communicate this with the relevant team members. They will also provide you with information about local pharmacies and medical services.
This FAQ has been generated using the Accessibility FAQ Generator tool provided by ACM SIGACCESS. Event organizers are welcome to modify and reuse this template for other events. Please contact SIGACCESS for more information.