For attendees with low or no vision, APSA offers complimentary registration for personal aides or escorts and can assist with arranging onsite support if needed. A limited number of magnifying sheets will also be available upon request at the Registration Desk (VCC West Level 1 Foyer).

Vancouver Convention Centre
Braille signage is available in all VCC restrooms. Elevators in the Convention Centre feature braille signage and tactile buttons inside the elevator cabs only.

Air Canada
Air Canada offers visual accessibility services for blind or low-vision passengers traveling to or from Vancouver. 

Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
The Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive travel experience for all. With a variety of innovative services and programs, YVR works to ensure travelers of all abilities can navigate the airport comfortably and confidently. 

YVR accessibility services include visual interpretation, animal relief stations, the hidden disabilities sunflower program, translation services, and more.
Accessibility at YVR ›› 

The Vancouver Convention Centre offers secure parking through independent operators within both buildings. These lots operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on a first-come, first-served basis. For additional accessibility details, please reach out to the parking facilities directly. You can find more information on VCC parking and contact information here.

The City of Vancouver also provides a variety of information on accessible parking, including SPARC permit details and a map of accessible parking locations.

Guide dogs and service animals are welcome in all APSA meeting spaces and are not subject to the Vancouver Convention Centre’s general restrictions. Other animals or pets are not permitted inside the Convention Centre.

For reference, a service dog is defined as a dog that has been individually trained by an organization or person specializing in service dog training to perform a task that assists a person with a disability with a need related to their disability. You can read the full legal definition of service and guide dogs in Canadian regulations here.

A designated service dog relief area is available on the Vancouver Convention Centre’s West Pacific Terrace, which is easily accessible from the VCC West Building.

Air Canada
Air Canada allows passengers to fly with service or emotional support animals. Learn more about Air Canada’s service animal travel requirements ››

APSA is working with all venues to ensure accessible seating is available in all meeting spaces. Chairs in the front row of each room will be removed to accommodate mobility devices. The rest of the front row will be reserved as priority seating for attendees who need closer seating or extra space for their service animals.

Accessible guest rooms are available at all meeting hotels and can be requested when booking through the APSA hotel block.

All food served at the VCC and HQ hotels will be labeled with ingredients to help attendees avoid allergens. Outside food is not permitted in APSA meeting spaces.

Fragrance-Free Meeting Spaces
To help create a more comfortable environment for all attendees, please refrain from wearing scented products such as perfume or cologne in meeting spaces.

Sensory Support Kits
For many individuals with sensory processing challenges, certain environments (such as those with bright lights, loud noises, or unfamiliar spaces) can be overwhelming. To help reduce sensory overload and support self-regulation, the Vancouver Convention Centre offers a limited number of Ability Hive™ Sensory Support Kits. These high-quality, easy-to-clean tools are available for attendees to borrow during their visit and may be requested at the West Burrard Lobby Information Desk.

Designated Areas of Rescue Assistance will be available for individuals who may need help evacuating.

In the event of an evacuation at the Vancouver Convention Centre, first responders will assist persons with mobility impairments or anyone unable to safely evacuate on their own. If you need evacuation assistance, dial 7500 from any VCC house phone or (604) 647-7500 from a mobile phone to alert first responders to your location. Floor Wardens will conduct sweeps of each floor to ensure all attendees have evacuated and to provide any needed support.

During an emergency evacuation, instructions will be provided through the VCC’s public address system. Please exit promptly and calmly, following the directions of staff and the emergency announcements. If possible, proceed to the nearest Muster Station, where Convention Centre staff will be available to assist. Remain at that location until staff confirm it is safe to return.

VCC Muster Station Locations:

The VCC East Muster Station is located across the street from the main entrance to the East Building.

The VCC West Levels 1–3 Muster Station is located outside of the Burrard Street entrance or at Jack Poole Plaza, outside of the Thurlow Street entrance.

The VCC West Exhibition Hall Level Muster Station is located on Waterfront Road.

If evacuation is not safe or possible, VCC staff may direct individuals to an Area of Refuge, a designated space intended to shelter occupants during emergencies such as fire or other hazards.

• Consider bringing a few printed copies of your presentation or a transcript for attendees who may require them. 

• Use large (24-point or larger), sans-serif fonts such as Arial, Verdana, or Helvetica. 

• Choose high-contrast, easy-to-read color schemes for your slides. 

• Enable captions on all videos used in your presentation. 

• Include alt-text for all images. 

• Verbally describe your slides, images, charts, and any other on-screen content. 

• Use PowerPoint’s built-in Accessibility Checker to review your slides ahead of time. 

• Avoid using hand gestures or vague terms like “this,” “that,” or “these” without clarification. 

• Speak clearly, audibly, and at a moderate pace. 

• Keep your hands away from your mouth to assist those who speech read. 

• Ensure only one person speaks at a time. 

• Do not walk in front of interpreters while they are signing. 

• When addressing someone using an interpreter, speak directly to the person, not the interpreter. 

To help create a welcoming environment, complimentary pronoun pins are available at the Registration Desk for anyone who would like one.

All Annual Meeting venues will have gender-neutral restrooms available. These restrooms are open to all attendees.

Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC)
The VCC features 14 gender-neutral (inclusive) individual restroom stalls, including two that are fully accessible. Each gender-neutral stall has floor-to-ceiling enclosures for privacy, individual sinks, and electric hand dryers for added comfort. 

In addition, the VCC’s West Building offers 15 private, fully accessible “Universal Washrooms,” each equipped with an automated door, an infant changing station, and a user-activated duress alarm with prominent red switches and an easy-pull cord. When triggered, the alarm activates a localized strobe light and an audible alarm, prompting the VCC to dispatch a first aid attendant to the location immediately. 

Both VCC buildings provide at least one inclusive and fully accessible restroom per floor. Locations include:

VCC West, Level 1:

• Level 1 Ocean Foyer (near Room 120) 
• Level 1 Burrard Foyer (near Rooms 111) 
• Ballroom Lobby (across from the Burrard Street Entrance) 

VCC West, Level 2:

• Level 2 City Foyer (near Room 201) 
• Level 2 Burrard Foyer (near Room 210) 
• Level 2 Ocean Foyer (near Room 222) 

VCC West, Level 3:

• Summit Foyer (near Room 302) 

VCC East, Convention Level:

• East Convention Level Lobby (near the elevators) 

VCC East, Meeting Level: 

• Across from Room 8 
• Across from Room 13

APSA will provide a Quiet Room in VCC East, Room 5 for attendees who need a break from the noise and activity of the meeting. Another Quiet Room will also be available for attendee use at the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront in the Port of Macau.

In addition to the VCC’s multipurpose Nursing / Quiet Room, the Vancouver Convention Centre also offers a dedicated Nursing Room in both the West and East buildings. These private spaces are available to any guest in need of a breastfeeding facility. Signage outside each Nursing Room directs guests to request access by calling Guest Services when needed. Attendees may also request access at the APSA Registration Desk (VCC West Level 1 Foyer). For attendees who need temporary breastmilk storage, mini-fridges will be available in the VCC West and East Nursing Rooms only.

In addition to the VCC’s multipurpose Nursing / Quiet Room, the Vancouver Convention Centre features an additional Nursing Room in each building. These private spaces are available to any guest in need of a breastfeeding facility. Signage at each Nursing Room directs guests to request access by calling Guest Services when needed. 

The VCC East Nursing Room is located on the east side of the East Meeting Room Level Atrium. 

The VCC West Nursing Room is located on the north side of West Level 1 City Foyer, across from the West First Aid Room. 

The Harbour Concourse Nursing / Quiet Room is on the east side of the public connector between the VCC East and West buildings.

Additional Mother’s Rooms will be available at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown (Hollyburn) and the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront (Port of Shanghai).

All 15 fully accessible universal washrooms at the VCC include infant changing stations, with at least one located on every floor of the West Building. Additional changing stations are available in comfortable nursing rooms located in each building and in the Harbour Concourse between them (see Nursing Rooms above). 

The APSA RESPECT Campaign promotes “professional respect” among all participants and attendees during the Annual Meeting. RESPECT stands for Respectful, Equitable, Safe, Professional, and Ethical Conduct Towards All. 

The APSA Ombuds will be available during at the 2025 APSA Annual Meeting to speak privately with any attendee about a range of concerns such as harassment, possible violations of the APSA anti-harassment policy, and more. The Ombuds also offer consultation to individuals, committees, organized sections, or caucuses navigating challenges or seeking guidance. 

Email: apsaombuds@gmail.com