IMX Accessibility FAQ

ACM IMX 2026 Accessibility FAQ

ACM IMX 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 ACM IMX 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I communicate accessibility needs to ACM IMX 2026 organizers?

The Accessibility Chair for ACM IMX 2026 is Arthur Theil, whose goal is 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 which requires our awareness?”. In your response, please indicate any accessibility needs such as wheelchair access, sign language interpretation, or a guide. The Accessibility Chair will follow up with you to clarify your needs. You can contact them directly at any time by emailing accessibility@imx.acm.org.

Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?

More information about accessibility at Sheraton Athlone Hotel, Gleeson St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland is available on their accessibility information page.

Please contact the Sheraton Hotel Athlone on +353 90-6451000 or email info@sheratonathlonehotel.com to discuss your specific needs with the venue directly.

If there is specific accessibility information you would like to see here, or if you wish to discuss any conference accessibility requirements, please contact our Accessibility Chair, Arthur Theil by email: accessibility@imx.acm.org, and someone will respond to you shortly.

Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?

The conference will provide a team of sign language interpreters or captioners if requested by any attendees during the early registration period. Please make your request as early as possible. Our Accessibility Chair will follow up with you to discuss your needs in more detail. After April 27, 2026 (the deadline for early registration), a best effort will be made to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee that interpreters or captioners will be available.

What are the accessibility policies of transport options for getting to the conference venue?

Dublin Express (Airport shuttle to the Dublin Heuston train station)

Please refer to Dublin Express Disabled Code of Practice for more information.

  • Contact the Assisted travel helpline at least 36 hours in advance : 01 903 9508 (Daily 08:00–18:00) or contact page.
  • Where to find it at the airport: Terminal 1 (Zone 1) and Terminal 2 (Zone 21) at Dublin Airport.
  • Cost: ~€8–€9
  • Wheelchair accessibility: Dublin Express operates wheelchair-accessible coaches with wheelchair lifts and onboard wheelchair spaces available if checks and space allow. Passengers who can board using the coach stairs and transfer may be able to travel with their wheelchair stored in the luggage hold if it is foldable and ≤20 kg.
  • Larger electric scooter accessibility: Only permitted if dismantled and reassembled by you or a companion, and parts are ≤20 kg for luggage hold storage.
  • Walking/steps: Boarding typically involves climbing coach stairs; lifts are used only where pre-checks confirm safe use. Drivers/staff assist where possible.
  • Duration: The airport to Dublin city coach journey typically takes ~15–30 minutes
  • How to get from stop to train station in a wheelchair: Dublin Express stops at Heuston Station are at or near the coach stop adjacent to the station entrance.

Irish Rail

For more information, please refer to Irish Rail’s Accessibility Policy.

  • Contact in advance by e-mail: access@irishrail.ie or phone: (01) 703 2723 (Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00)
  • Cost: ~€11–€17
  • Wheelchair accessibility: Trains have a limited number of wheelchair accessible spaces and staff assistance. Advance booking is recommended to secure a space.
  • Powered wheelchairs/scooters: Permitted if within size/weight limits: up to 700 mm wide, 1200 mm long (including footplates), and max weight 300 kg (including occupant). Contact Irish Rail to confirm your device fits these limits.
  • Walking/steps at boarding: Station platforms are level with trains at many accessible boarding points, but some locations may require assistance or ramp. Staff can deploy portable ramps and assist where needed.
  • Service animals: Guide/assistance dogs are permitted on all services and in stations.
  • Duration: ~1 h 15 m–1 h 20 m.
  • Where it drops you relative to the venue: Trains arrive at Athlone Train Station, which is typically a 5 minute walk to the conference venue.

Irish Citylink Coach

For more information, please refer to Citylink Assisted Travel page.

  • Where to find it in airport: Terminal 1 (zone 10 & 11) and Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport.
  • Cost: Approx €15–€21 (book in advance).
  • Service animals: Allowed (typically accepted on Irish buses/coaches).
  • Duration: ~2 h – 2 h 30 m.
  • Where it drops you relative to the venue: Buses arrive at Athlone Arcadia, which is typically a 20 minute walk to the conference venue.

Aircoach

For more information, please refer to Aircoach Wheelchair Accessibility page.

  • Must email accessibility@aircoach.ie at least 72 hours before travel.
  • Where to find it in airport: Terminal 1 (Zone 2) and Terminal 2 (Zone 20) at Dublin Airport.
  • Cost: ~€17–€23
  • Walking/steps: Classic coach boarding; ramp/staff assist based on coach.
  • Duration: ~2 h – 2 h 30 m.
  • Where it drops you relative to the venue: Buses arrive at Athlone Arcadia, which is typically a 20 minute walk to the conference venue.

Who can I ask about accessibility in Athlone, Ireland?

For information about Athlone, Ireland accessibility, including public transport, go to online travel information. You can contact Destination Athlone directly if you require more information.

Athlone is small enough to make it easy and pleasant to explore on foot. There are also taxi ranks at the train station and on Church Street.

  • By Bus Éireann – Buses A1 and A2 run across town from Monksland in the west via the bus and railway station, town centre, Golden Island Shopping Centre and Athlone Institute of Technology, to Creggan Court in the east. They run every 15 minutes, Monday to Saturday and every 30 min on Sundays and public holidays.
  • By Flagline – Bus ATH1 runs between Golden Island Shopping Centre and Athlone Institute of Technology, every 15 minutes, Monday to Saturday.

Can a student volunteer assist me during the conference?

Student volunteers will be available to assist attendees with disabilities with navigation, meal service, or 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 do not need to register for the conference. If the assistant will be having food and drink provided by the conference during coffee/tea breaks, lunches, and/or the reception, we ask that these be added into the attendee’s registration at the ‘extra options’ stage of the registration process.

What is the conference space like?

We are still working on a description of the conference space. However, we can confirm the following services about the venue:

  • Accessible on-site parking
  • Elevators
  • Main Entrance is Accessible
  • Meeting Spaces are Accessible
  • On-Site Restaurants are Accessible
  • Self Operating lift or a sloped entry in hotel swimming pools
  • Service Animals are welcome without a fee or documentation

We are still working on an evacuation plan for attendees with limited mobility.

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. The venue’s main entrance and meeting spaces are accessible to wheelchair users. The elevators lead to the guest and meeting rooms. Wheelchair-accessible guest rooms are available, each with a walk-in shower, adjustable height hand-held shower wand, roll-in and grab rails. The meeting rooms will have wheelchair spaces by the central aisle. Student volunteers will be available on request to help with the lunch buffet, and there will be space for wheelchairs at the lunch tables.

If you are a presenter who uses a wheelchair, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements. After the early registration deadline we cannot guarantee to be able to provide a ramp. Poster sessions will have space for a wheelchair to move between the posters.

We are still working on an evacuation plan for attendees with limited mobility.

For more information about wheelchair accessibility at Sheraton Athlone Hotel, Gleeson St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland, please contact the hotel directly on +353 90-6451000 or info@sheratonathlonehotel.com.

We are still gathering information on wheelchair access to the offsite events. Please contact the Accessibility team (accessibility@imx.acm.org) if you are planning to attend the conference and may need such information.

What are the restroom facilities like?

We are still working on a description of the restrooms.

What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?

We are still working on the stage design. Please contact the Accessibility team (accessibility@imx.acm.org) for more information.

If you are a presenter who uses a wheelchair, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements. After the early registration deadline we cannot guarantee to be able to provide a ramp. Poster sessions will have space for a wheelchair to move between the posters.

If you would like a student volunteer to operate slides or guide you onto and off the stage, or have other accessibility requests please contact Arthur Theil at accessibility@imx.acm.org by April 27, 2026.

Can I bring my guide dog?

Yes! Guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at ACM IMX 2026. There will be a relief area with water available. Service animals are welcome without a fee or documentation. Please indicate on your registration form if you anticipate bringing a service animal to the conference.

Can I attend the conference by robot?

We are sorry, but ACM IMX 2026 will not be able to accommodate remote attendance by robot.

How much walking or standing will be needed?

We are still working on our description of the walking demands of the conference.

We are still gathering information on walking demands of the offsite events.

Please contact Arthur Theil at accessibility@imx.acm.org as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.

Will there be an induction loop in the meeting rooms?

We are still working on establishing which rooms have induction loops.

Will speakers and audience members asking questions be using a microphone?

Yes, microphones will be used for all speakers.
Attendees with questions will be requested to use a microphone so that their question is more easily heard.

What food service will be provided?

The conference will provide For information about dietary requirements, please contact the General Chairs (general@imx.acm.org).. Dishes will be labeled. For more detailed information please contact TBD at TBD. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate these clearly on your registration form.

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 does not accommodate them. If you have a severe allergy please indicate this on your registration form. For more detailed information please contact TBD at TBD.

Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?

The entire conference venue is a no-smoking area.
We are still gathering information on where there are smoking areas around the venue.

Will there be loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, or other strong sensory experiences?

We are still gathering information on sensory aspects of the conference. Participants will be requested not to use flash photography or to wear strong scents. Please indicate on your registration form if there are specific items you would like to know about in advance.

We are still gathering information on sensory demands of the offsite events and availability of quiet places.

Please contact Arthur Theil at accessibility@imx.acm.org as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.

Will there be a designated quiet space at the conference?

We hope to be able to provide a quiet space at the conference but are still checking on availability. Please contact the Accessibility team (accessibility@imx.acm.org) if you are planning to attend the conference and may need such a space.

What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during the conference?

In case of emergency call 112 for an ambulance. If you require non-urgent medical care, please contact Arthur Theil at accessibility@imx.acm.org or ask any student volunteer. They will provide you with information about local doctors, specialists, chiropractors, etc. For non-resident attendees, buying travel insurance that covers medical expenses is strongly recommended as fees for emergency treatment can be very high.

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.