The Space and Place Conference is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all participants — especially those with accessibility needs — have the agency to actively engage on the day.

To arrange services or equipment in advance, attendees are encouraged to contact mapref@mcmaster.ca by October 9, 2025.

Accessibility details for the main conference venues are outlined below. For interactive sessions being held at other locations, accessibility details can be found on their respective registration pages.

Venue Descriptions

Hamilton Public Library – Central Library

Location: 55 York Boulevard, Hamilton, ON

  • Building: The Central Library is designed to be wheelchair accessible. Both the York Boulevard and the Jackson Square mall entrances of the building are outfitted with automatic doors. The York Boulevard Entrance uses a ramp to connect with the library’s first floor, where the conference room is located. Elevators are available to reach other floors of the building if needed.
  • Presentations: The main event space will include microphones to ensure speakers and participants are audible.
  • Seating: Clearly marked front-row seating will be reserved for individuals with vision, hearing, or mobility needs. Additional seating will also be available for anyone who may need a place to rest.
  • Washrooms: The Central Library offers accessible, gender-neutral restrooms equipped with wide-door stalls, support rails, and accessibility buttons on the main entrance. Hygiene products, including pads, are available, and a designated container for needles and sharps is provided for participant use.
  • Caregiving: A dedicated caregiving space and a family washroom are located on the first floor of the library. Access is provided via a key, which can be obtained from the Youth Services Information Desk on the library’s first floor.

McMaster University – Continuing Education Centre

Location: 1 James St N, Hamilton, ON

  • Building: The building is designed to be wheelchair accessible. Both the James St N and Jackson Square Mall entrances are equipped with automatic doors. The James St N entrance also features a ramp for accessible entry. The conference room is located on the second floor and can be accessed via elevator. While the conference room itself does not have automatic doors, a conference volunteer will be available to assist.
  • Presentations: The main event space will include microphones to ensure speakers and participants are audible.
  • Seating: Clearly marked front-row seating will be reserved in all rooms for individuals with vision, hearing, or mobility needs. Additional seating will be available throughout the event for anyone who may need a place to rest.
  • Washrooms: The Continuing Education Centre offers accessible, gender-neutral restrooms. These facilities include wide-door stalls with support rails and accessibility buttons on the main entrance. Hygiene products, including pads, are available for participant use.

Support Persons and Service Animals

Please note that we welcome service animals to accompany attendees within all conference venues. If you require a support person to assist you during the conference, they are welcome to accompany you.

Should you encounter challenges navigating any spaces, please email mapref@mcmaster.ca.

Local Travel Support

Getting to our conference venues is simple and convenient, thanks to Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) transit. For participants who need support with local travel, we’ve set aside Presto E-Tickets to help cover transportation to and from the event. To request a ticket, or inquire about travel support for drivers, please email mapref@mcmaster.ca in advance.

Caregiving

You are welcome to breastfeed your baby wherever you feel most comfortable — there is absolutely no need to seek out a private or secluded space. However, if you prefer a quieter and more private environment, we’re happy to direct you to a designated room for parents and caregivers.

Allergies, Dietary Restrictions, and Sensitivities

We’re committed to supporting attendees with food and beverage allergies during registration. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance so our catering team can ensure appropriate options are available throughout the conference.

To help create a comfortable environment for those with scent sensitivities, we kindly ask attendees to avoid wearing strong perfumes, colognes, or fragranced products.

Health Protocols

We have health protocols in place to ensure the health and well-being of our conference community.

The Space and Place conference is mask-friendly. We fully support anyone who chooses to wear a mask — no questions asked. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the registration desk for anyone who needs them.

Furthermore, harassment related to masking is prohibited and constitutes a violation of our Code of Conduct.

If you’re feeling unwell on the day of the conference, we ask that you use your best judgement. Please attend only if you feel healthy enough to do so, and consider wearing a mask or staying home to help maintain a safe environment for everyone.