Accessibility, Inclusion, Support and Safety at 17DSBS

To make the symposium accessible, inclusive and safe for all, the Deep-sea Biology Society prepares the “Accessibility, Including, Support and Safety at 17DSBS” file as the reference. Please download it here.

The 17DSBS local organizing team will provide sorts of supports to enhance the accessibility to the symposium at Hong Kong, including:

 

Financial Support

  • Several financial supports are provided and please check “Awards & Financial Aides” section for more details. Students, early career scientists, female scientists are welcome to apply for the financial support.

 

Presentation Support

  • Visual Support: to enhance the visual appearance of oral and poster presentations, the Deep-Sea Biology Society provides a detailed guideline for the preparation of oral presentation PPT and poster. For more details, please refer to guideline under Abstract section.
  • Audio support: Immersive reader function is available for all digital content on the 17DSBS website. Please select the digital content, right click and choose “Open in reading mode” to enjoy customized font type and size, as well as the background colour.
  • Support for hearing-aid users: equipment information is pending
  • Support for presenters: wireless microphone, microphone with height-adjustable stand, and laser pointers will be available in the meeting rooms for speakers.

 

Safety Support

  • Mental health support: one or two support personnel will stand by at the registration desk and ready to provide immediate assistance for those who need help.
  • Hygiene support: Hand sanitizers will be available on the registration desk and room entrance desks. All common areas in the symposium room will be cleaned every day.
  • Covid-19: To prepare for the worst case (covid-19 pandemic), the 17DSBS local organizing team has the following arrangements. 1) Online login information will be shared to all participants and onsite ones can switch to online mode if they feel uncomfortable. 2) Face masks and Covid-19 virus testing kits are available from the registration desk. Participants can seek assistance if they need help.
  • Food safety support: To ensure food safety for those who suffer food allergies, the 17DSBS LOC will conduct a survey through Google form to collect the case of allergies. All food/drink served in tea breaks, reception and banquet will be labeled with dietary/intolerance information. Conference lunch will be provided by different restaurants on university campus. Participants have the responsibility to check with the restaurant staff for suspected allergens.
  • Campus safety support: campus security staff is on duty 24 hours. For emergency, please contact 2358 8999 for reporting top emergencies, or 2358 6565 for request of assistance or enquires. For ambulance service, please call 2358 8999 for cases within the campus, or 999 for cases outside the campus.
  • Venue management support: Conduct code is defined by the Deep-sea Biology Society. Any unacceptable behaviour will be stopped immediately and the responsible attendee(s) will be removed from the symposium venue without warning and without refund. Please download the conduct code here.

 

On-site accessibility Support

  • Transportation to the HKUST: private and public transportation information is shared on the 17DSBS website. Please refer to “Transportation” section for more details. Parking areas are labelled on the UST campus map.
  • Path suggestion to the venue site: a detailed campus map and floorplan is shared on the “Venue” section on the 17DSBS website.
  • Support for wheel-chair users: more pictures and video are pending
  • Lifts: pictures are pending

 

Other Support

  • Religious and baby nursing support: to enhance inclusion, we encourage scientists of different religions as well as female scientists to attend the symposium. The 17DSBS LOC will provide quiet rooms for the purpose of praying or baby nursing/baby changing.
  • Social activity support: The 17DSBS LOC organizes field trips for participants to join as a group. Three options are available and please reserve your field trip through registration. The field trips are optional and on a first- come first serve basis. Other options for individual visits are listed on the “Visa and Travel” section.
  • Local language support: to facilitate the quick adaption of overseas participants, LOC prepared a short audio to introduce the pronunciation of some basic Cantonese. Please click here to listen. (Audio is pending.)