ACCESS KEY

FWD+Organise 2024 will be held at the Abbotsford Convent. All FWD+Organise spaces are wheelchair accessible. Some parts of the Abbotsford Convent have access issues such as uneven ground surfaces, steps to building entry etc. Inaccessible spaces will not be used during the event. 

You can view the Abbotsford Convent Mobility Map here - this includes info on parking, toilets, recommended path of travel etc. 

Please see below for more information on getting to and navigating the venue.

Handheld microphones will be available to use in the plenary space, with roving microphones to amplify audience questions. We ask all speakers to use a microphone if one is available (even if you have vocal training/speak loudly normally).

We have AUSLAN interpreters booked for each day of FWD+Organise: 

• Day 1: Khang Chiem; second interpreter TBC

• Day 2: Khang Chiem and Kirri Dangerfield

Please indicate on your registration if you require AUSLAN interpretation. This will allow us to judge if additional interpreters are needed to cover break-out sessions. 

Note - if no participants register for the event by November 22, we may release the booking. We do this because, especially considering the national Auslan interpreter shortage, we want to make sure that interpreters’ availability is put to the best use. 

If you require a form of Interpretation other than AUSLAN interpretation e.g. Deaf/Blind Interpreters, live captioning, please let us know upon registering, or contact us at info@fwd.org.au by November 22.

We will have live captioning available for plenaries by default, and break-out sessions as needed. 

Live captions will be provided remotely by the Captioning Studio and then transmitted via caption viewer link/webpage to participants.

Please let us know when registering if you need live captions, we will then follow up closer to the conference to give you the caption viewer link and confirm any other details.

Service and assistance animals are welcome at FWD+Organise 2024.

Please don’t pet, distract, or take photos of assistance animals. These animals need to be able to concentrate on doing their jobs well.

We ask that participants limit your use of scented products if you can do so without negatively affecting your health. For those with asthma, migraine, and chemical sensitivities, fewer fragrances, vapors, and particulates make the conference a place we can attend. 

FWD+Organise 2024 is not, however, a fragrance-free conference. As the buildings and outdoor spaces have public access and may have other patrons, we cannot guarantee it will be fully fragrance-free. 

No smoking is allowed indoors at The Abbotsford Convent. Bins specifically for cigarettes are located throughout the grounds. Please respect the site and use these bins accordingly.  If you are smoking, please be mindful of the presence of others, including those who may have asthma or chemical sensitivities.

Companion Card holders qualify for a complimentary ticket for their companion. Please contact us directly at info@fwd.org.au to arrange a free ticket.

FWD+Organise provides information in various formats. The full conference program will be printed on recycled paper for participants at registration. 

The FWD+Organise website will also host PDF and HTML versions of the program. 

If you need a large print or Braille version, please let us know when registering or contact us before November 22 at info@fwd.org.au.

The Breakfast Parlour, accessible from the central courtyard of the Convent building, will be reserved as a quiet space for participants.

Yoga mats, cushions and blankets will be provided.

If you need immediate medical assistance during the event, come to the help/registration desk or - if this is not possible - please ask any volunteer or staff member. We will direct you to a qualified first aider and/or escort you there.

The behaviour of everyone in the space shapes whether or not it is an accessible space. All members create a universally accessible event by paying attention to our own behaviour and attitudes. Here are some ways that you can do this:

• Maintain clear paths. Our events provide fantastic opportunities to chat with other participants, but clogged doorways and hallways make navigation time-consuming for all, and impossible for some of us. There are plenty of outdoor spaces you can use to gather, keeping the entrances and pathways free. Tuck your belongings in front of your feet or under your seat. Remind members gathered in doorways or hallways of the need to share the space so all of us can move freely. 

• We ask that you limit your use of scented products if you can do so without negatively affecting your health. For those with asthma, migraine, and chemical sensitivities, fewer fragrances, vapours, and particulates make the conference a place we can attend. FWD+Organise is not, however, a fragrance-free conference. 

• Bins specifically for cigarettes are located throughout the grounds of Abbotsford Convent. Please respect the site and use these bins accordingly. We ask that you limit your smoking so that those who would be affected by it can still use these spaces without issue.

• Service Animal Etiquette. Service and assistance animals are welcome at FWD+Organise. Please don’t pet, distract, or take photos of assistance animals as these animals need to be able to concentrate on doing their jobs well. 

For panelists/presenters:

• Keep your lips visible for those who speechread

• Use a microphone if one is available (even if you have vocal training)

• If using Powerpoint or other presentation software please aim to use a standard slide layout, change your title every slide and use alternative text (alt text) for images and objects, such as pictures, charts, shapes as screen reading applications will read the alt text when an image is encountered in the document

• Use a font size between 12 and 18 points for body text and larger font sizes if showing your presentation on a projector

• Use high colour contrast for text in presentations or handouts. Low contrast may be difficult or impossible for colorblind or low vision users to read.

• Caption any video/audio content.

• Describe any images/charts you are using, for the benefit of blind or low vision members (general descriptions are fine; describe any relevant details).

• If you are using paper handouts, please also have an electronic version available as these help people who want enlarged text or who use screen reading software.

• Let people know if you will be using them animations or other video content (particularly with rapid flashing/strobing) as they may be migraine/seizure triggers for some. 

FWD+Organise 2024 will be held at Abbotsford Convent (Google map reference here). Gates 1 and 2 are accessible from St Heliers Street. Gate 2 is recommended for wheelchair access as Gate 1 has a steep gradient. 

Public transport 

You will find transport details at ptv.vic.gov.au, including a trip planner, timelines and route maps. Alternatively, you can download the PTV app here.

Catch a Mernda or Hurstbridge line train to Victoria Park Station. Victoria Park Station has steep ramp access, and no lift available. The train station is a 10 – 15 minute walk to the Convent, or you can catch the 200 or 207 bus down Johnston Street to the Clarke Street stop. The bus stop is a 3 – 5 minute walk to the Convent.

There is also bike path access from the CBD: the Capital City cycling and walking path directly passes the precinct. The St Heliers Street turn-off is opposite the entrance to the Collingwood Children’s Farm.

Parking 

All day parking is available in the car park directly across from the Convent on St Heliers Street. The machines accept credit cards only. Funds from the car park go towards the restoration and daily operation of the Convent, and also support the Collingwood Children’s Farm.

Parking Weekday rates:

• 30 mins = free

• 90 mins= $6

• $2 per hour thereafter

• 6 – 10 hours = $15

• $2 per hour after 10 hours

• Max daily rate (until 2am) = $30

• Additional overnight fee (after 2am) = $25

• Lost ticket = $30

There are 6 accessible parking spots in the car park directly across from the Convent on St Heliers Street. There is a free 2-hour accessible parking spot just outside Gate 1 on St Heliers Street, as well as short-term accessible parking inside Gate 2.

Abbotsford Convent’s access map has information on the entrances and pathways of the precinct ground, including marking out steep or uneven areas. View the Abbotsford Convent precinct access map here. You can also view the general precinct map here.

Wayfinding through the precinct for FWD+Organise will be designed in order to avoid very steep gradient areas (1:8 - 1:14), but will include some lower gradients (1:14 - 1:20). 

Enter the Convent precinct through the Main Gate on St Helier St, or, in order to avoid a higher gradient, via Gate 2.

Click here to view the entrance to the carpark from St Heliers Street.

Click here to view the Convent Gates 1 and 2.

FWD+Organise sessions will be held in a number of different rooms and buildings across the Abbotsford Convent precinct. We will be sharing open spaces with the public. 

Inside the main Gate, to the left of the main pathway, is a map of the full Convent precinct. Volunteers will be placed at the gates in the morning, wearing black t-shirts. Please seek out a volunteer if assistance is needed.

Sacred Heart courtyard

In this area, you will find:

• Registration (weather dependent)

• Catering and coffee cart (weather dependent)

• Entrance to the Magdalen Laundry Breezeway 

• Entrance to the Industrial School and Packing room breakout spaces 

• Gender neutral toilets

From either gate, proceed to the far end of the Providence building and St Anne’s, a walkway between two buildings will lead into the Sacred Heart Courtyard. 

Click here to view the direction of the Sacred Heart Courtyard from the entrance.

Registration will take place in the Sacred Heart courtyard, to the left of the breezeway, across from where you will enter. If there is wet weather, we will move registration inside the breezeway at the entrance to the plenary area. 

The Industrial School, on the far left when entering the courtyard, will also be a breakout room and caucus space. There is one step to enter the Industrial School directly from the courtyard; step-free access is available via the plenary space.

Magdalen Laundry Breezeway

In this area, you will find:

• Magdalen Laundry plenary space  

• Step-free entrance to the Packing Room breakout space 

• Step-free entrance to the Industrial School breakout and caucus space 

• Mercator Gardens, where the Welcome to Country will take place

• Registration (wet weather)

• Gender neutral toilets 

Click here to view the Magdalen Laundry Breezeway entrance.

The Breezeway is a passage that leads through the building to a number of different spaces we will be using - the Magdalen Laundry (plenary), the Packing Room (breakout space), and the Mercator Gardens (Welcome to Country).

Click here to view the plenary entrance.

On the right of the raised entrance, there is a lift, which leads up to the production room (out of bounds for participants),and a door to the Mezzanine Room bathrooms – mens, womens, unisex, and accessible. 

The Magdalen Laundry plenary space has flat theatre seating. The padded banquet chairs are 55cm x 43cm. Reserved seating will be available at the front and back of the theatre. On the right side of the theatre, there will be a more relaxed seating area.

The Industrial School can be accessed either from the north end of the Sacred Heart Courtyard (one step to enter), or through a door on the right hand side of the plenary space (step-free).

The Packing Room can be accessed from the Laundry breezeway (step-free) or from the east side of the Sacred Heart courtyard (one step to enter).

Convent Building

In this area, you will find:

• Linen Room breakout space 

• Community Room breakout space

• Bishops’ Parlour breakout space

• Salon breakout space

• Breakfast Parlour quiet space

Past the Convent Bakery, walk ~50 metres and to your left will be the entrance to the Convent Building courtyard, slightly hidden behind a small garden area. 

Click here to view the direction of the Convent Building.

Click here to view the Convent Building Courtyard.

The Convent Building is a U-shaped building, with a grass courtyard and large tree at the centre. Proceeding around the U-shape, clockwise from the left-hand arm, we will be using the Linen Room, Community Room, Bishops’ Parlour and Salon as breakout spaces, and the Breakfast Parlour as a quiet space.  

The Breakfast Parlour and the Salon can be accessed from the central courtyard, to the right. The other breakout space can be accessed from the internal hallway. Use the automatic doors at the back left corner of the courtyard to access the internal hallway. 

The gendered and accessible toilets in the convent building can be accessed from the same automatic doors at the back left corner of the courtyard. These toilets are quite hidden at the back of the building so there will be lots of signage to help you navigate the space. 

Bathrooms

Participants are welcome to use any restroom that matches their gender identity or expression. There are both gendered and gender-neutral toilets, and gender neutral accessible toilets available across the precinct. 

Gendered bathrooms are available at:

• The Convent Building, enter via Heritage Gardens

• Sacred Heart, enter via Sacred Heart Courtyard

Gender-neutral bathrooms are available at:

• Sacred Heart, enter via Sacred Heart Courtyard

• Magdalen Laundry, enter via the breezeway
  

Eat and Drink

Cam’s Kiosk

• Monday — Saturday, 8am — 11pm

• Sunday, 3pm — 9pm

Cam’s Kiosk has been quietly making tasty soups, traditional sandwiches and in-season salads since 2009. By day, Cam’s is a favourite coffee and lunch spot for locals, while in the evenings, it turns into a bar, where you can often find tenants having a knock-off drink after work.

Convent Bakery

• Monday – Sunday, 7:30am – 3:30pm

The Convent Bakery offers a full breakfast and lunch menu as well as a wide variety of rustic sandwiches, pastries, pies, croissants, quiches, tarts and cookies.

Kappaya

• Monday – Sunday, 9:30am – 5:30pm

Enjoy delicious soul food, organic coffee, tea, beer, sake and wine at this bento-sized cafe.

Julie Restaurant

• Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 10pm (closed Tuesday)

• Sunday, 12pm – 6pm

Julie is a seasonal garden restaurant at Abbotsford Convent.

From the team behind Cam’s Kiosk, Julie is a relaxed bistro with elevated service, a produce-driven menu, and a thrilling wine list.

Lulie Tavern

• 225 Johnston St, Abbotsford VIC 3067

• Thursday 5 December, 6pm - 11pm

We have a private rooftop booking from 6pm at Lulie Tavern, with some additional tables on the first floor (ground level). The venue has a ramp to the front entrance, with one swinging door that isn’t automatic. The rooftop is accessible via two flights of stairs or an elevator, both located behind the bar on the first floor. There are two gender neutral accessible bathrooms on the rooftop.

Lulie Tavern is 1 km from Abbotsford Convent, mostly flat. Buses are available along Johnston Street.