Accessibility at Congress 2022

We are very excited to welcome you to Edinburgh this June for the 2022 RCPsych International Congress. As always, we want this event to be inclusive and accessible for all our delegates.

We are committed to promoting equality and have been working closely with the EICC to put together this accessibility guide for those who may require additional assistance.

Please do reach out to us if you do not feel that we have adequately addressed your access requirements, or if you would like to provide any feedback.

E: congress@rcpsych.ac.uk

T: 0208 618 4120

The Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC)

EICC,
The Exchange, Edinburgh,
EH3 8EE, Scotland

The EICC has been designed to be inclusive to people of all abilities, both the RCPsych team as well as the EICC events team has received full Equality and Diversity Training and will be on hand throughout the conference to assist.

Accessible Parking near the EICC
Dedicated accessible parking spaces are available in the following facilities:

• Sheraton Hotel Car Park located 150 meters from the EICC, with limited accessible parking spaces
• Semple Street Car Park located 300 meters from the EICC
• Castle Terrace NCP Car Park located 650 meters from the EICC

In addition, there is street parking on Morrison Street near the EICC's main entrance and in surrounding streets, such as Gardner's Crescent, which is free and without time limit for Blue Badge holders.

Bus

Several local buses stop at Lothian Road, which is approximately 300 metres from the EICC. Additionally, Lothian Buses service No. 2 stops just a few metres from the EICC’s main entrances. All Lothian Buses are equipped with:

• Low entrances that can “kneel” to kerb height to give step free access where possible
• Retractable boarding ramp for wheelchair access
• Completely flat areas on the lower deck (with no internal steps)
• High visibility handrails
• A dedicated wheelchair space
• Drivers who are specially trained to help customers enjoy the full benefit of their buses

Taxi
The EICC benefits from a reserved drop-off area where taxis and cars can park temporarily, directly outside the venue’s two entrances.  The taxi rank is situated at the front of the EICC where there is a dropped kerb.  Taxis can be booked at the EICC’s Concierge Desks.

Train
The closest train station to the EICC is Haymarket. The station is accessible and is less than 500 metres from the venue. Waverley Station is one mile from the EICC. All entrances to the station are step-free.

Tram
Edinburgh Trams stop directly outside Haymarket Station, which is the closest tram stop to the EICC.  The trams provide frequent connections from the city centre to Edinburgh Airport.

On Foot
The approach to the EICC from Lothian Road is flat with a gentle slope down towards the two main entrances - the Strathblane and the Lennox. Please enter via the Strathblane entrance. Arriving from Haymarket Station to the venue, after the step-free pedestrian crossing the pavement slopes upwards – from this direction you will arrive at the Strathblane entrance first.

Venue Access
The EICC’s two main entrances, the Strathblane and the Lennox, both have automated sliding doors which are operated by a push button from the outside and by sensor from the inside. During an event these doors are manned with security who can offer assistance if required. For the 2022 Congress please enter via the Strathblane entrance. 

Navigating the venue

• View the venue layout via the EICC site
• View the programme (room allocation included)

Lifts
All areas of the venue can be reached by lift. All lifts have spoken messages indicating which floor the lift is on and whether the doors are opening or closing. Additionally, all lifts have grab bars for delegates with impaired mobility.

Toilet Facilities
On each floor of the venue there are adapted toilets, with grab rails, emergency buttons, lowered mirrors, and fittings. There are gender neutral toilets on all floors.

Induction Loop
In the Pentland Suite an Induction Loop is located in the central section of seats from row F to the rear of the auditorium. To use this, delegates should switch their hearing aids to the "T" position.

Visual Impairments
Assistance dogs are welcome in the EICC. If you need assistance to and from sessions, please contact us ahead of time and we will be able to assist.

Wheelchair Spaces
The EICC can make reasonable adjustments to facilitate wheelchair users where required. The EICC can also provide a wheelchair ramp.

Parent and baby room
Conference attendees are welcome to bring babies under 12 months of age into lectures but we ask that babies are taken out of the room if they become unsettled. You are very welcome to breastfeed or bottle feed your baby anywhere in the conference venue, but a parent and baby room will be available for those who prefer it. Please ask the Congress helpdesk for directions. 

Buggies are welcomed at the EICC and can be left in the parent and baby room. There are Baby Changing facilities on all floors, including opposite the parent and baby room. Leith's, our catering partners, offer baby bottle and food warmining if required.

Prayer/multi-faith room
All delegates are welcome to use this room at any time throughout the Congress.