Accessibility Q&A

HRI 2024 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 HRI 2024, 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.

How do I communicate accessibility needs to HRI 2024?

The Accessibility Chairs for HRI 2024 are Friederike Eyssel and Nicole Salomons, whose goal is to ensure the conference is accessible to everyone. When you register for the conference, there will be a registration questions relating to different accessibility needs. In your response, please indicate any accessibility needs such as wheelchair access, sign language interpretation, or a guide. The Accessibility Chairs will follow up with you to clarify your needs. You can contact them directly at any time by emailing access2024@humanrobotinteraction.org 

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

Please contact the accessibility chairs Nicole Salomons and Friederike Eyssel: access2024@humanrobotinteraction.org for any further questions.

If you would like to contact the conference venue – Contact the University Memorial Center by calling 303-492-6161. Alternatively, you can contact virginia.schultz@colorado.edu who is the Senior Conference Specialist at CU Boulder.

If you would like to contact the conference hotels – Contact The Boulder Marriot Hotels (Boulder Marriott Hotel & Spa and Residence Inn Boulder Canyon Boulevard) by calling 303.448.6615 or email jami.diewald@marriott.com to discuss your specific needs with the venue directly.

Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?

The conference will likely provide a team of sign language interpreters or captioning if requested by any attendees during the early registration period. Please make your request as early as possible. Our Accessibility Chairs will follow up with you to discuss your needs in more detail. After February 10th, a best effort will be made 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?

Taxi: The cost of a taxi from Denver airport to the Boulder city center is around 90$-125$. Please call 303-699-8747 for taxis that serve riders who use wheelchairs, power chairs, or scooters.

Bus: You can take the RTD bus from the Denver airport to Boulder for around $10.50. The bus leaves from the Denver airport bus station located at the DEN Transit Center, Level 1. All RTD buses, including the Free MallRide, Free MetroRide, and rail vehicles, are accessible for mobility aids such as wheelchairs, electric scooters, segways, walkers, and crutches.

Who can I ask about accessibility in Boulder, Colorado, USA?

More information about accessibility in the city of Boulder can be found on their website: https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/visitors-experiencing-disabilities or by email: downhamt@bouldercolorado.gov

More information about accessibility on the CU Boulder campus can be found by visiting their website: https://www.colorado.edu/accessibility

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.

What is the conference space like?

A map of the venue can be found here: https://www.colorado.edu/umc/maps

There are accessible toilets at the conference venue and the venue is wheelchair friendly. There will be a quiet/lactation room at the conference.

What are the restroom facilities like?

All toilets at the venue have accessible stalls. There are gender neutral toilets on the second and fourth floors.

What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?

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 accessibility co-chairs at access2024@humanrobotinteraction.org  by February 10th, 2024.

Can I bring my guide dog?

Yes! Guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at HRI 2024. Please let us know when registering if you would like to bring a guide dog and we will communicate if there are designated relief areas.

Guide dogs are allowed to accompany you to “all areas of any facility where the public is normally allowed to go. An individual with a service animal may not be segregated from other people. Limitations are rare and only for those areas where health and safety may be compromised or where doing so would result in a fundamental alteration of the nature of the program, activity, or service.”

Will there be an induction loop in the meeting rooms?

Accessible Hearing Devices are available for UMC Ballroom pending testing. Please let us know by February 10th if you will require and induction loop.

Will speakers and audience members asking questions use 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. There are wireless Q&A microphones for the session rooms. Larger rooms will have two microphones.

What food service will be provided?

The conference will provide refreshments at morning and afternoon breaks. The venue will label vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. If you have other dietary restrictions, any of the catering staff are trained to ask the chef directly about any ingredient questions.

If you have questions or concerns please contact accessibility co-chairs at access2024@humanrobotinteraction.org. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate these clearly on your registration form.

Can the conference accommodate special dietary needs?

Please specify and dietary needs during registration or contact the accessibility co-chairs for other dietary needs at access2024@humanrobotinteraction.org.

Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?

CU Boulder is a smoke-fee campus. 

Will there be a designated quiet space at the conference?

There is a quiet room at the conference. It is located on the second floor in room UMC 223. The UMC also has a Prayer/Quiet room (UMC 223) open to the public.

Will there be a designated lactation room at the conference?

There is a lactation room: UMC 132. The UMC 132-key is available at the UMC Front Desk on the 2nd Floor adjacent to UMC 235 and UMC Ballroom.

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

In case of emergency call 911 for an ambulance. The nearest hospitals is Boulder Foothills Hospita. If you require non-urgent medical care, please contact accessibility co-chairs at access2024@humanrobotinteraction.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 an emergency treatment can be very high.

Will captions be available? 

Automated captioning will be available for in-person sessions and during online stream.