ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
At SXSW Sydney, we strive to create an inclusive and accessible environment for all participants, regardless of age or ability.
We recognise the importance of accessibility and are making every effort to accommodate where possible, that all attendees and talent have equal access to the event and can fully participate in the experience.
Accessibility consultants
SXSW Sydney work in collaboration with Tibi Access to make our event as accessible as possible.
Tibi Access are also our accessibility liaisons working at the event to ensure accessibility assistance is available on the ground.
For any enquiries about accessibility email accessibility@sxswsydney.com.au , call (02) 82402131 or during the event, visit one of the friendly team located at the accessibility information desk at the ICC Convention Centre, Ground Level.
simplified directions & accessibility offering
understanding access
Credentials are still to be confirmed for SXSW Sydney 2025.
This section will be updated closer to Credentials being offered for sale, in March.
Companion Card Program
If you purchase a ticket to SXSW Sydney and hold a companion card, you are eligible to receive (1) x complimentary companion ticket to mirror the credentials purchased.
*Credentials will mirror the purchased ticket attendee with companion, the companion must be with the original ticket holder to enter a SXSW Sydney venue.
To arrange your companion card, Purchase a ticket to SXSW Sydney and email accessiblity@sxswsydney.com with a copy of your order, your companion’s full name and attach a clear image of your companion card. Please bring this companion card to the event to pickup your companion credentials. We will be in touch to confirm your complimentary companion ticket.
To arrange your companion card
Step One: Purchase a ticket to SXSW Sydney
Step Two: Email accessiblity@sxswsydney.com witha copy of your order, your companion’s full name and attach a clear image ofyour companion card. Please bring this companion card to the event in order topick up your companion credentials.
Step Three: We will be in touch to confirm yourcomplimentary companion ticket.
HOW TO GET TO SXSW SYDNEY
As SXSW Sydney is across a large footprint of Central Sydney, there are multiple forms of transport available to assist you to get to the event.
- Train
- Bus
- Light rail
- Taxi or Uber
- Driving.
Depending on where you want to start your events daily, will depend on what sort of public transport access is available to you.
For any public transport services, you can head to the Transport NSW Trip Planner to plan your trip each day.
For anyone driving there will be multiple car parking stations around the precinct that have accessible parking spots. Parking tends to fill up fast, arriving early will increase your chances of securing an accessible spot.
Parking locations in and around the Precinct: ICC Parking, Wilson Parking - Market City, WilsonParking - Sydney Central.
Accessible accommodation
Ibis Styles Sydney Central
27 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney NSW 2010
Mercure Sydney
818-820 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Rydges Darling Square
72 Liverpool Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Rydges Sydney Central
28 Albion Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Furama Darling Harbour
68 Harbour Street, Haymarket NSW 2000
TAG - travel & accommodation agency
Please email for more information
KEY LOCATIONS on maps
ICC Convention Centre - MAP
Tumbalong Park - MAP
Tumbalong Park Rideshare - MAP
Lightrail Station (Paddy's Market) - MAP
UTS Building 1 - MAP
Central Station - MAP
Central Park Mall - MAP
VENUE ACCESSIBILITY
As there are so many different venue spaces and sessions across the event, the best place to check venue accessibility is through the SXSW Sydney App. When the App for 2025 is live, you can filter sessions based on the accessibility offering. The App is ready for download three months prior to the event.
ASSISTANCE ANIMALS
Assistance animals are welcome at SXSW Sydney. Howevergiven the noise and lighting conditions of parts of the event, we encouragepatrons to consider an alternative navigation aid if required.
UTS Building 1 provides an assistance animal spending areaoutside of building 1 on Broadway.
If required, a bowl for water can be provided for assistanceanimals upon request at the ICC.
Sensory spaces
Two Sensory Spaces will be available across the Precinct.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or need to decompress, youcan access a sensory space where we will have low lighting, a comfortable placeto sit and rest and items such as noise cancelling headphones and fidget toys.
Designated Accessible Seating
There will be designated accessible seating for sessions and film screenings. All designated SXSW Sydney accessible seating is based on capacity and provided on a first come, first served basis.
AUSLAN Interpreters and LIVE Captions
Auslan Interpreters will be available for all keynotes andselected conference sessions and opening party speeches.
Please check back closer to the event for exact locations.
LIVE CAPTIONING
Live Captioning will be available across multiple conferencesession spaces at the ICC and Tumbalong Park Stage. Please check the SXSWSydney app closer to the event to confirm exact sessions.
SUNFLOWER LANYARDS
To support people who may have a hidden disability, SXSW Sydney have implemented the Sunflower Lanyard Program into our planning and training. If you have forgotten your lanyard, please see staff at the ICC information desk or the SXSW Sydney accessible information desk located in the ICC Convention Centre.
ASSISTIVE HEARING TECHNOLOGY
Infrared hearing augmentation systems are provided in allmeeting rooms and theatres of the ICC, including Darling Harbour Theatre andICC Sydney Theatre.
Complimentary hearing augmentation devices (hearing loops)are available and can be provided to guests free of charge with a form of photoidentification. The hired device must remain on ICC Sydney premises and bereturned at the conclusion of the day. Hearing loops may not be compatible withCochlear Implants.
Please note hearing loops are compatible with t-switch(telecoil) enabled hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Patrons can collect either a personal induction loop or aset of lightweight headphones from ICC Sydney’s Customer Service Desk uponarrival to access this service.
It is recommended that people who use a hearing aid orcochlear implant utilise the personal induction loop system.
BLIND AND LOW VISION ACCESS ON SIDE
As the precinct is so large and across 80 different venues,we recommend bringing a companion to help navigate the site safely. You canalso contact our accessibility liaisons to organise an escort.
Our main venue for conference and screen headliners the ICC,does provide Braille on room door signage and fixed directional signagethroughout the venue. Tactile flooring is provided at egress points includingat main entryways, staircases, and escalators.
BINDI MAPS
BindiMaps is an inclusive wayfinding app designed tohelp people of all abilities navigate complex and unfamiliar indoor locations,such as office buildings, hospitals, shopping centres and more.
Users can navigate by following turn-by-turn directions viathe visual map or receive accessible audio, wheelchair accessible routes andtext directions designed for people with vision impairment.
The BindiMaps wayfinding app features auser-friendly interface that provides precise location information and deliversthe optimal and most accessible routes, helping everyone to confidently andindependently navigate complex and unfamiliar indoor locations.
AVOID INTENSE LIGHTING
There may be some use of pyrotechnics, strobes or other intense lighting used at some SXSW Sydney events. Please check session and venue pages on the SXSW Sydney app for more.
ADULT CHANGING FACILITY
There is a Changing Places facility available at ICC, located on Level 2 of ExhibitionCentre. It provides the following features: a height-adjustable adult-sized change table; a constant-charging ceiling track hoist system; a right-hand railing ambulant toilet as well as an island toilet; an automatic door with a clear opening of 950 mm and push-button entry / exit; nappy bin sanitary disposal unit and wash station.
The changing place is open to ICC Sydney guests at all times, and possession of a changing place Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK) is not required.
how to AVOID INTENSE LIGHTING
There may be some use of pyrotechnics, strobes or other intense lighting used at some SXSW Sydney events. Check session and venue pages on the SXSW Sydney app for more.
