Accessibility

Getting to the Venue

Bus Services
The Foyle Street Bus Station is a 4-minute walk from the venue, with several bus routes operated by Translink.

Train Services
The Derry~Londonderry railway station is approximately a 15-minute walk from the Millennium Forum and is served by Translink’s Northern Ireland Railways.

Parking
The venue is on a steep hill. Two disabled parking spaces for Blue Badge holders are available on Linenhall Street, near the Millennium Forum. Several public car parks are within a five-minute walk. More parking info

Tickets

We want TechTides to be accessible to as many people as possible. That’s why we’ve secured sponsors who are providing a number of complimentary tickets for attendees. These free tickets give full access to conference talks, panels, and presentations. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

As part of our effort to offer free attendance options, food and coffee breaks are only included with paid tickets.We have three paid ticket options. You can book your ticket via our Eventbrite page.

Entering the Building

The venue is on a steep hill and has three steps and a ramp. The entrance door is automatic.

Upon arrival, you’ll see two registration desks:

• One for speakers and attendees with accessibility requirements
• One for general registration

Registration

Printed name tags will be available. Please keep yours with you so we can identify whether you have a free or paid ticket.

If you find queuing difficult or overwhelming for any reason, please head straight to the accessibility registration desk—you won’t need to explain, and we’ll prioritize your entry.

Our event team and venue staff are trained to recognize Sunflower Lanyards and JAM Cards, which indicate that someone may have an invisible disability and might require additional support.

Photography

If you do not wish to be photographed, red lanyards will be available to indicate this. Our photographer will avoid including you in any images, and any photos already taken will be deleted on request. We will try to keep Flash photography to a minimum. Any issues please let us know.

Agenda & Materials

A printed version of the agenda will be available at registration.

Digital pdf slides are available upon request (with the consent of speakers)  and can be asked for at the accessibility desk.

We are still finalizing the agenda at the moment 

Getting Around the Venue

• A courtesy wheelchair is available—please let us know in advance if you’ll need it.
• Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the venue. Water bowls are available on request.
• The venue is mostly flat, with both stairs and lifts connecting the three levels.
• Lighting will remain consistent, primarily soft fluorescent.
• You’ll enter on Floor 2.
  • The main auditorium is on the Ground Floor (Floor 0), accessed via Doors A and B.
  • Exhibitors will be on Floor 1, with seating at each table if you need to rest.
  • There is ample informal seating and sofas throughout the venue.
  • Clear signage is present on every floor.

Accessible Facilities

• Toilets are available on all levels and clearly signposted.
• A Changing Places facility is located on the first floor and is accessible via RADAR key or with staff assistance.
• An accessible toilet is available on the ground floor.

We also have a Quiet Room with a Sensory Area. This space is open to everyone—whether you need a break, have sensory needs, or are breastfeeding. The room includes a live audio-visual feed of the talks so you won’t miss out.

Please note that with 200–300 attendees, the environment may be noisy at times.

Talks and Panels

The auditorium is a large theatre space. We’ll be using the ground floor seating, accessed through Doors A and B. All chairs are fixed in place. If you need a seat in a certain area we can reserve as reasonable accommodation  

Due to fire regulations, we have four wheelchair spots. These are normally located at the back but can be moved if you request this ahead of time.

Hearing Support

• The auditorium and box office have an induction loop for hearing aid users.
• An infra-red hearing loop system is also available—headsets can be collected from the shop on Floor 2.

Live Captions
We’re exploring the option of live captions viewable on your phone via QR code is viable. (If you or your company would like to sponsor this feature, please get in touch!)

 We’ve asked all speakers to:

• Use the provided microphones
• Verbally describe any visuals in their presentations

Slide Access

Digital pdf slides are available upon request (with the consent of speakers)  and can be asked for at the accessibility desk.

Food & Drink

Breakfast, coffee breaks, and lunch are available.

To help keep attendance accessible, complimentary ticket holders do not include catering. Food and drink are included with paid tickets.

If you have dietary requirements, please let us know in advance.

• Coffee breaks will be on the second floor. Due to limited space, seating will also be limited. The bar counter is not at an accessible height, but staff will bring drinks over as needed.
• Lunch and breakfast will be served in the on-site restaurant. It is a sit-down service, and food (mostly sandwiches) will be brought directly to the table.

Accessibility information for the after party

The afterparty is taking place in the Walled City Brewery. Ebrington Square & Parade Ground, 70 Ebrington St, Derry/Londonderry BT47 6FA www.walledcitybrewery.com

The restaurant is based in the new civic area of Ebrington Square, Derry-Londonderry, N.Ireland. This is an old military barracks looking over the River Foyle linked to the city centre by the Peace Bridge.

Getting to the restaurant from the venue

Walking
The venue is around a 15-minute walk from the Millennium Forum Theatre. From the theatre, walk across the Peace Bridge, then turn left toward Ebrington Square. Next, turn right onto Ebrington Square — The Walled Brewery will be on your left.

Bus Services
There are no evening bus services from the Millennium Forum Theatre to the restaurant. If you prefer not to walk, you can request the contact details of local taxi companies from the Millennium Forum Theatre box office.

Parking
Free parking is available for all guests at the Ebrington Car Park, located on the left as you enter the Ebrington complex from Limavady Road.

Tickets

You can book your ticket to the after party via our Eventbrite page.

Entering the Building

The venue is in a flat area. When you come up to the entrance there are 3 steps or a  short ramp you can use to get into the building.

Photography

If you do not wish to be photographed, red lanyards will be available to indicate this. Our photographer will avoid including you in any images, and any photos already taken will be deleted on request. We will try to keep Flash photography to a minimum. Any issues please let us know.

Agenda 

Planned Agenda (subject to change)

7:00 PM – Doors open: relax, mingle, and network

7:30 PM – Food served at the tables

8:00 PM – Welcome remarks from the organisers and sponsors, followed by a short talk from our headline speaker

8:30 – 11:00 PM – Live band in the event room; restaurant remains open with seating and tables available

Getting Around the Venue

• The restaurant is mostly flat and on a single floor. The party will take place across two rooms, connected by a hallway with a small dip in the flooring.
• There is no lowered bar for wheelchair users, but restaurant staff will be happy to bring drinks directly to tables.
• Lighting will remain consistent throughout the evening, with soft, warm lighting from standard bulbs.

Accessible Facilities

• Toilets: All toilets are clearly signposted. An accessible toilet is available in the hallway between the two rooms.
• Seating: A variety of seating options are provided, including standard-height chairs with and without armrests, as well as stools at bar height tables .
• Sound: The welcome remarks and short talk will be delivered using a microphone to ensure clear amplification.
• Quiet Space: A designated quiet sensory area is not available, but seating will be provided outside the venue. If you need a quieter space contact us ahead of time and we will talk to the restaurant to see what can be put in place
• Noise Levels: We are expecting around 130 attendees across two rooms. Please be aware that the environment may be lively and noisy at times.

Food & Drink

•  A selection of food will be brought directly to the tables.
• If you have any allergies please tell the restaurant staff so they can advice you on what you can eat
• Drinks will be available to buy from the bar.