Accessibility at WD2026

The Women Deliver 2026 Conference (WD2026) is built on the belief that everyone deserves to participate fully, freely, and with dignity. As one of the world’s most influential spaces for gender equality, WD2026 intentionally prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility — especially for delegates with disabilities and those who have been historically excluded from global spaces.

From the moment you register to the final session, we’re working to ensure WD2026 is a space where you feel seen, supported, and able to fully engage.

Women Deliver has signed onto the Feminist Accessibility Protocol, developed by the Inclusive Generation Equality Collective — and we are actively putting this commitment into practice.

Women Deliver will be working and consulting with accessibility experts and advocates, with both local and global expertise, who will participate in the WD2026 Global Coordination Group and Regional Steering Committee. Please refer back to this page as further updates become available.

What You Can Expect

• Multilingual Access
  All official Conference materials and information will be available in English, French, and Spanish. 
• Simultaneous Interpretation
  All Plenary and Concurrent sessions will offer simultaneous interpretation in English, French, and Spanish. International Sign Language interpretation will be available in all Plenary sessions. The Conference program will clearly indicate which sessions include interpretation, including partner-led side events and Pre-Conferences.
• On-Site Wellness and Support
  A team of trauma-informed specialists, mental health professionals, and child safeguarding experts will be available throughout the venue.
• Dedicated Quiet Room
  The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) will include a quiet space for rest and reflection.
• Staff & Volunteer Training
  All WD2026 staff and volunteers will be trained by an accessibility professional to understand disability rights and best practices — ensuring a welcoming, respectful experience for all.
• Accessible, Gender-Inclusive Facilities
  All bathrooms on-site will be accessible and gender-inclusive. There will also be Changing Places facilities available.
• Clear Wayfinding
  Signage throughout the venue will guide you to accessible entrances, routes, and services — in English, French, and Spanish.
• Speaker & Staff Guidance
  We are equipping speakers, organizers, and partners with the tools to create inclusive, participatory spaces — centering the leadership and contributions of persons with disabilities.
• Accessibility Desk
  There will be a dedicated support desk at WD2026 for delegates who have accessibility questions, requests, or concerns.

Sign Language Interpretation

International Sign Language will be available in all Plenary sessions. In order to accommodate additional sign language needs, Women Deliver will: 

• Cover the full cost of conference registration for your interpreter, if you choose to travel with your own interpreter
• OR connect you with a local interpreter in Narrm (Melbourne) and cover the cost of their services

To request sign language interpretation, please email us at: accessibility@womendeliver.org

Registration & Reasonable Accommodations

• When registering for WD2026, please share any accessibility or accommodation needs when prompted.
• If you require a companion to support you at the Conference, we’ll provide complimentary registration for one companion. You can indicate this need in the registration form and our team will follow up.
• If you’re unable to register via the online platform, please contact us at accessibility@womendeliver.org or wd2026@womendeliver.org

Accessibility at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is committed to accessibility and ensuring visitors are informed and can make decisions according to their individual needs. The MCEC caters to the following disability types:

• Blind or low vision
• Deaf or low hearing
• Limited mobility
• Wheelchairs or mobility scooters
• Food allergies or intolerances
• Cognitive or neurodivergence

Please find further detailed information about accessibility at the MCEC here and here. 

Accessibility Guide to Narrm (Melbourne)

The city of Narrm (Melbourne) offers a comprehensive Accessibility Guide, including information on transportation, accessible accommodations, and a mobility map of the city center.

• Explore the guide here

Questions or Feedback?

We’re here to listen and learn. If you have questions, suggestions, or feedback about accessibility at WD2026, reach out anytime at accessibility@womendeliver.org.