Access Guide
What’s In This Guide?
To and From the Venue
Basically ‘how easy is it to get to the venue? This includes things like parking, what
are the rules and time limits? What is the accessible path from the parking to the
venue? What is the state of the curbs and footpaths? Are there any public seats or
other spots to rest on the way to/from your car or the bus stop? And what bus stops
or public transport options are nearby and when will they operate until? We will also
highlight any good drop off spots for people getting lifts or taking Taxis/Ubers.
Getting In
This includes things like entrances and door widths, but also ticketing points,
exit/re-entry policies, the likelihood of a queue, and guide dog and support animal
policies.
Navigating
This section outlines how the space is laid out – where the steps are and what the
alternate route is, where the toilets are and what kinds they have. It will include any
maps of the venue itself and cover things like the lighting and flooring in different
rooms
Getting Out
In scenarios where someone needs to leave, possibly quickly, what are their best
routes and what are their best spaces. For example if someone needs to take a
break from noise and people, where in the venue could they do that, or if someone
has a flare up/breakdown, what are their exits or a spot for them to sit?
Watch Out
This section is to highlight anything we come across that people should watch out
for. Things like a door that’s really heavy or a step that’s hard to see. It also includes
general barriers that might interfere with access to specific parts of the event.
To and From the Venue
Parking
Street parking with no time limit is available on Eric St, Comer St, and Melville
Parade.
Comer Reserve also has a car park, accessible off Melville Parade, with no timing
restrictions. These areas are highlighted in Blue.
There are three locations with ACROD parking bays. These locations have been
pinned on the map.
The footpaths between the ACROD bays and the venue are in decent repair with
some bumps. There are curb ramps on the way to the venue as well.
One ACROD Spot on Eric Street
One ACROD spot at the venue
One ACROD spot at the South Perth Toy Library
Public Transport
Buses are available, however the nearest bus stop is further down Melville Parade,
around 550m away. Footpaths and crossing points are available along the route to
the venue from the bus stop.
Follow this link for more information about public transport to and from SwanCon.
Drop-offs
There is a drive-through drop-off zone directly in front of the entrance. Bays are also
available for 5-minute drop-off close by.
Getting In
The front entrance is a large set of automatic doors.
The venue floors are level and tiled, some areas have rugs or change to carpet.
There is a pedestrian path from the footpath to the doors. The doors have a welcome
mat but it is flush with the floor.
Ticketing/Registration
The Registration Desk will be operating just inside the main entrance to the right.
If you have pre-registered for the event, then you will just need to pick up your Con
badge.
Once registered, you may enter and leave the event as needed.
Companion Card
If you are a companion card holder your nominated companion is able to attend with
you free of charge. Your companion is entitled to the same level of admission that
your membership provides (i.e. if you have a full weekend membership your
companion may also attend for the full weekend, if you are a day membership holder
your companion may attend for that same day.)
However, companion attendees are not counted as members of Swancon or WASFF
and cannot vote as such. For more information about voting and membership rights,
see here
Support animals are accepted.
If the access barriers detailed in here, or that you encounter while at Swancon
prevent you from accessing parts of the event, please contact the convenor via email
at convenor@swancon.com.au
Online Components
Academic Stream/First Level Program Room Presentations
Presentations from this room will be streamed via Zoom on the day.
Zoom in-built live captioning will be available.
Zoom details will be on a poster at the Registration Desk and on the front door of the
first level program room.
The Art Show
A recording of a guided art show tour will be available through the Swancon website
and/or via YouTube.
All members will be able to vote in the Art Show.
Details will be made available on a poster at the Registration Desk and at the Art
Show entrance.
Navigating the Venue – The Layout
Lobby
The Lobby will have small seating areas scattered throughout and will be free from
announcements or sound systems.
To the left of the entry will be a slightly larger seated area. This area is shared with
hotel guests, but signs will be posted asking people inside to be quiet.
The Lobby areas are tiled and have some area rugs. The area largely has warm
downlighting with some shaded lamps as well.
Toilets
The toilets are accessible from the Lobby. The main toilets do not have ambulant
user stalls. This room has fluorescent lighting.
Accessible Toilet
The accessible toilet entrance is located further into the Lobby and is marked on the
map.
The toilet has a right hand transfer.
Please note this is also shared with a baby changing table and may also be used as
a family room. This room has fluorescent lighting.
The accessible toilet will also be available for use as an all gender facility.
The Historic Ballroom – Art show, Traders and Tabletop areas
The ballroom is a mix of wooden floors and carpeted floors. There will be a large
amount of tables and chairs for table top games, market stalls and Art Show.
There will be a lounge area along the top edge. The Art Show will be on a raised
platform in the same region. The raised platform has two steps.
The room has a large amount of natural light in addition to two chandeliers. The
ceiling is high and the room may be quite loud/echoey.
The Dolphin Room
This room will be set up with a large table and chairs for video gaming systems. It is
carpeted. It is lit by warm downlights.
The door to this room can be propped open, it is 800mm wide.
It is unclear how far chairs can be pulled in once gaming equipment has been
installed. A portion or majority of the room may become too cramped to manoeuvre
using mobility aids.
A poster will be put on the Dolphin room door with advice at the event.
Pagoda A, Pagoda B and the Pre-function area
These rooms will have rows of seats facing a stage at the back. There will be one big
room for the beginning of the event then split into two rooms (along the dotted line)
to form program room A and B.
These areas are carpeted. They are lit by warm downlights and a central chandelier.
There will be doors leading to a seated outside area on the left hand side. This area
has paved footpaths around astroturfed green sections.
These areas will have sound systems used for presentations, performances, talks,
the Masquerade party, and the Awards Ceremony.
The Waterwall Restaurant & Bar
The restaurant will host the Guest Dinner on the Friday night.
It is carpeted.
The walkways are wide near the door but smaller towards the back.
Chairs can be removed for wheelchair users.
This space is lit with cool downlighting.
Courtyard area
This area can be entered via double doors.
The doors have a lip.
A second entrance can be found in the Lobby near the corners of the restaurant and
the program rooms.
This is a heavy door and the doorway is slightly less than 800mm.
The area is paved in white concrete blocks.
There are also areas around the edge covered with astro turf.
There is unevenness at the interchange of concrete and astroturf.
There are some parasol umbrellas (these may be closed due to the weather).
There is outdoor furniture, tables and chairs.
This area will be entirely naturally lit.
Academic Presentation Area/Level One – not shown
Most of the academic presentations and a selection of other presentations are takin
place on level one in one of the 2 bedroom hotel rooms.
The lifts are available in the Lobby opposite the toilets.
The entrance to this room is a single door 770mm wide, which does automatically
close.
The door is fairly heavy and can be pushed to touch the inside wall.
This area has a mix of vinyl and carpeted flooring. This area is lit by warm down
lights and some lamps.
The toilet in this room is through two more doorways and is in a larger bathroom
setup.
The bathroom door in this room is 670mm wide.
Getting Out
Entrances, exits and different areas will be signposted. The Historic Ballroom and
the Pagoda program rooms each have one exit/entrance generally operating.
The Lobby will largely be quieter than the other areas, however it will see significant
foot traffic during breaks and between sessions in the program rooms.
The seated area by the entrance will be signposted and encouraged to be a low
conversation area.
The outdoor area by the program rooms and lounge area in the historic ballroom will
have seating, however will also have more active conversation.
Quiet(er) Areas
To the left of the main entrance to the hotel, there is a lounge room. This area is
shared with hotel guests, but signs will be posted asking people inside to be quiet.
Each floor of the hotel also has couches/lounge chairs where folks can get away
from the main program rooms which will have more active conversation.
Watch Out
The toilets – While the toilets can be accessed from the historic ballroom, these
entrances are much less accessible than access from the Lobby.
The accessible toilet – the door closes a little fast and the latch is small/fiddly.
The outside area – there is a pretty significant drop between the paved and the
astroturfed areas. In some areas, the drops are small but others are large and might
be hazardous. Please watch out.
The Level One Presentation Room – this door is only 770mm wide and may block
larger wheelchairs and powerchairs.
Online attendance via Zoom will be an option.
The Dolphin Room – this door is only 800mm wide and may block larger
wheelchairs and power chairs.
It is unclear how far chairs can be pulled in once gaming equipment has been
installed. A portion or majority of the room may become too cramped to manoeuvre
using mobility aids.
A poster will be put on the Dolphin room door with advice at the event.
The Art Show – as it is on the raised platform in the historic ballroom, it will not be
physically accessible to non-ambulant wheelchair users.
An online tour/video and online voting will be available.
Facilities & Services at the Pagoda Resort & Spa
More more information about the Pagoda Resort & Spa including services available
in the local area please see the link below.
