Accessibility and facilities

NEDERLANDSE TEKST IS NOG IN DE MAAK
This part is quite extensive so those with accessibility needs can find the info they need. Not all of this might be (equally) important to your specific situation. We do recommend scanning through this and seek out the parts that apply to you.

The location provides many options and facilities, but we are not aware of all (im)possibilities. We therefore ask anyone who has questions, comments or additions to reach out beforehand so we can have a dialogue about what’s possible.
We are always willing to see what we can do for you, so please don’t hesitate to email us via workshoplounge@hotmail.com.
You can also comment/ask us anything on our FetLife Page.
The people organising this event are D_Moon_ and BigSexyFemme

General info

Tickets are all inclusive and we offer several tiers / sliding scale Tickets. A limited amount of accessibility tickets are reserved until the last minute, for people who (due to for instance health issues) have trouble knowing in advance if they can attend.
Our workshop lounge is hosted in a well equipped (normally vanilla) venue in Amsterdam, near Javaplein (Zeeburg).
The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, including an adapted toilet (more info further down). This has been thoroughly tested by a person in a wheelchair.
Elevator present and will fit 3 people standing OR 1 wheelchair and one standing person comfortably. The elevator can be operated without assistance, but some people may need help closing the door.
Stairs are sturdy and wide with a proper railing.
Maintenance and hygiene standards are high.
The venue has plenty of sources of natural light and air, as well as adjustable electrical lighting.
Ground level: entrance, registration table, social/break area (seating for up to 40 people), kitchen, toilet (non adjusted, non gendered).
First floor (more details further down): 3x workshop rooms, pantry, 2x toilet (ungendered, urinals and bowls), 1x accessible adapted toilet, quiet room, “roof” terrace (not wheelchair accessible), small seating area (4-6 persons), first aid room, organizers office, coat/bag area (partly supervised).
The entrance has a ramp and 1 cm threshold. The location has no thresholds, except for the upstairs pantry (1cm). No sharp turns and the narrowest doorway is 80 cm. All floors are flat and clean, with no clutter or damage.
A person who uses mobility aids can get around and access all rooms by themselves, the only exception being the upstairs terrace.
In case help is needed: there will be a crewmember present in every public area during the entire event.
Participants can get out and into the building between workshops, after registration and receiving their token of participation (TBA).

Getting there

NB: quoted walking times are based on GoogleMaps, which assumes an average speed of 5km/hr.
We advise public transport or biking (if possible).

There are several options to reach the location by public transport. Stops are within 3 to 10 minutes walking distance / 200 til 800 meters, depending how you travel. Accessibility info on the stations/stops can be found easily if you plan your route through Google maps.
The address will be shared to registered participants, BUT if you need more details because of mobility you can request these by PM or email.
The location does not have its own parking lot. Paid parking spots are available in front of the door, but you probably have to walk a few meters. Parking (curbside) in the surrounding area will cost €4,50 per hour. We do not offer or validate parking tickets.
There are several parking garages within 1 km/15 min. walk from the venue.
This one is 750m/9 min. walk a and offers cheaper prices, but you need an app to use it https://vicky.one/locaties/amsterdam/zeeburgerpad/?utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=organic
There are some parking spaces in the direct area (within 200 m) which are reserved for people with a disabled card, but these cannot be reserved so we cannot guarantee a spot.
If transport is an issue, you can place an ad in our “transport” topic to see if someone can help you out. We do not offer transport or mediation ourselves. If someone acts as a driver for a guest with accessibility needs and does NOT take part in the event, they are free to come in and wait, while enjoying coffee/tea in our common area downstairs.

Workshop rooms / furniture

All rooms are well lit, with both natural and electrical light.
Windows can be opened for fresh air.
Curtains and windows can be closed for privacy.
The rooms are approx. 50m2 each and will have room for 20 til 35 participants, depending on the workshop.
The floors are made of linoleum and rooms (and furniture) will be wiped clean after every workshop round
There will be plenty of chairs (with backrests) for everyone in 2 different types: plastic with no armrests, upholstered (polyester) with armrests.
Furniture can be (re)moved freely, as long as it does not block exits or emergency facilities.
Lighting can be adjusted, but only if this does not compromise safety or the presenters ability to work.

Toilet

1 toilet on the ground floor, 2 toilet area’s on the first floor, 1 accessible adapted toilet on the first floor.
All toilets are gender neutral and there are both bowls and urinals.
Plenty of toiletpaper, towels and soap. Toilets will be cleaned between workshop rounds.
Adapted toilet: big enough for wheelchair users (tested and approved), fitted with arm drops, adjusted sink, towel and soap dispenser within reach. The adapted toilet can be used independently. We do not offer special assistance for using the toilets, other than opening/closing doors, helping a person get there and standing guard if needed.
Even though it can be used by others, people with needs will ALWAYS have priority for the use of this toilet. Keep in mind not all illnesses and disabilities are visible….

Food/drinks

We offer free tapwater, coffee and (herbal) tea during the event.
There will be free snacks (fruit, veggies, candy, cookies, breads, dips, “tapas”) available in the common areas all day. This snack buffet has plenty of options, but we do not offer full lunch/meals.
List of ingredients of the items on the snackbuffet will be available and visible (as much as possible).
There will be plenty of vega(n) options, but the buffet will also have dairy and meat options. We will of course keep those on different serving platters.
We do our best to avoid cross contamination on food with high allergy risks (gluten, lactose), but we cannot 100% guarantee this.
You can bring your own food and (non alcoholic)drinks, which can be stored in the kitchen fridge if needed.
Label your food/drink if you do and do NOT use other peoples stuff that’s in there.
You can eat in the kitchen/break room downstairs, outside on the terrace or in the small seating area upstairs.
We plan a 30 minute break between the workshop rounds.
No eating is allowed in the workshop rooms, but a bitesize snack (that cannot spill or make noise) is no problem. Of course we make exceptions for emergency situations and medical issues.
You can drink water, tea and coffee in the workshop rooms, but no sticky soda or (smelly) energy drinks.
There are several supermarkets/stores that sell food within 450 meters/5 min walking distance, including an Albert Heijn. Also plenty of lunchrooms/cafes even closer, including a cosy, inclusive and accessible bar 130 meters away.

Smoking/Alchohol/Drugs

Smoking is not allowed in or near the building. If you really need to smoke, you can step outside and walk around the block but do not “hang” in front of the building or across the street. There will be a crew member at the door to let you back in.
The use of alcohol and other recreational drugs are strictly prohibited during the event.

Safety/emergency

Part of the organizers/crew are trained and experienced in first aid, emergency response (ERO/BHV) and MHFA.
The building is up to code and properly equipped with fire extinguishers, emergency escapes and first aid materials.
There will be NO trained medical and/or professional care staff present.
In case of (medical) emergency, we will contact 112 and/or other emergency services right away.

Visual/audible

Rooms will be marked primarily visually (text and pictograms), but there might be options to explore.
Audible instructions and assistance can be provided, as well as help getting around inside the location.
If visually impaired: please contact us to talk about the possibilities, since some workshops might not be safe or possible to follow (we have to check with the presenters).
If audibly impaired: we do not have crewmembers (yet) that speak sign language but you can bring an interpreter at a discounted price.
The primary language of the event will be English, unless in the odd chance everyone in the room can speak Dutch well enough OR specifically stated otherwise.

Other facilities

Quiet room: can be used by anyone who needs it. Chairs and blankets will be present, as well as fresh water and snacks. You can bring/use your own aids (mask, headphones, comfort items, etc.), as long as it does not disturb other users. This is NOT a social- or play area.
Office/first aid: the organizers will use this for private conversations, (de)briefings and first aid
Coats/bags: plenty of coathangers and a storage for bags. The storage area will be partly supervised, but we advise keeping your valuables on your person.
Outside areas:rooftop terrace is available to us, but mind the neighbors (vanilla talk only). You can also go outside through the frontdoor as well, but no “hanging” in front of the building or across the street. A crewmember will let you back in.

Outsiders presence

We rented the entire public part of the building, but people might be present in the offices and rented rooms upstairs. They have been strongly advised by the manager to stay clear of the spaces we use but it COULD happen that a person who is not part of the event (and thus maybe not fitting the target audience) might walk through the hallways or kitchen. They will NOT enter the workshop areas, orga office, or quiet room.
You cannot bring people inside who did not buy a ticket unless you have specific prior permission from the organisers.

Organizers/crew/presenters/staff

Recognizable by a badge and they will audibly introduce themselves upon entering and at the start of every workshop.
There will be a crewmember available at every room for assistance, which will also be introduced.
Most crewmembers will be fluent(ish) in English and Dutch.
Organizers can be messaged privately or as a group prior to the event.
The manager (cis male) will be in the building but will only come down if the crew asks him to (emergency or technical issues).