Everyone is welcome at SXSW EDU. We strive to make our conference and festivals accessible to the largest number of people possible, and are always looking at ways to remove barriers. If you have accessibility requirements, please contact accessibility@sxsw.com so we can work together to find a reasonable accommodation for your request. This page will be updated with additional accessibility information as it becomes available. Please check back often.

Please fill out our Accessibility Accommodation Form to submit your request to the SXSW EDU Accessibility Team. You must be a registered attendee to make Accessibility Accommodation requests for SXSW EDU 2025.

The deadline for submitting accommodation requests for SXSW EDU 2025 has passed. Contact accessibility@sxsw.com to discuss last minute accessibility additions.We will do our best to honor requests after the deadline, however services cannot be guaranteed.

If you are a presenter, please discuss your accommodation needs with the SXSW EDU staff member that is programming your event. You will be provided a form to request ADA accommodations needed for your event and connected with the Accessibility Team.

• Email: accessibility@sxsw.com
• Phone: 512-484-9130 (Call or Text)
• In Person: Accessibility Desk at the Austin Convention Center during the event. Event days phone number will be added here at a later date.

Accessibility Help Desk - Trinity Street
Austin Convention Center - Across from Exhibit Hall 3/4 next to the Trinity St. Entrance
Hours: 9:00am - 6:00pm

Accessibility Help Desk - Registration
Austin Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 1
Hours: Reflect Registration

An Accessibility Designated SXSW EDU Badge will provide attendees with accessibility needs access to designated seating, use of the ADA Entrance. All designated SXSW EDU accessible seating are based on capacity and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

To get an Accessibility Designated SXSW EDU Badge, email reg@sxsw.com and ask them to add it to your badge before the event. While we can add it at the event, adding it in advance will make the process faster.

All registrants attending the in-person event must pick up their own credentials by showing their government-issued photo ID at Registration in the Austin Convention Center.

Those with Accessibility Designation have the option of using ADA entry and ADA/ASL seating during our event. All designated SXSW accessible seating is based on capacity and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

For large ballrooms, such as Ballroom D, look for a large ADA Entry sign or ask a SXSW volunteer or staff member if you are having trouble locating it. For smaller sessions in all conference venues, you will head straight to the main door and inform them you’re using ADA Entry. If the doors have not opened yet, ask the SXSW EDU team member at the door where they would like you to wait.

Events with Added Accessibility Features

Finding Added Accessibility Features: The SXSW EDU schedule has filters to help attendees find the events that have added accessibility features. Select 'Accessibility' from the top of the list of filters. This will show the different accessibility options to choose from. Check the box for the feature needed, and the schedule will update to show only the events that have that available.

Below, you'll find descriptions of each accessibility feature. You can click on the name of any feature to open a pre-filtered schedule with the list of events that include that type of accessibility.

Note: Many events have multiple accessibility features.

Open Captioning (OC): Live Open Captioning available on the screen for all viewers.
Closed Captioning (CC): Live Closed Captioning available on attendees personal device.
American Sign Language (ASL): American Sign Language interpretation for the audience. Placed in front of the ASL/ADA reserved seating area.

SXSW does not provide 1:1 interpreters, personal aids, or guides. Attendees who require these and other accommodations we do not offer during SXSW can request a Companion Wristband. This will allow them to provide the necessary accommodations to accompany them without purchasing an additional badge. The Companion Wristband is paired directly with an Accessibility Designated Badge and does not grant access to any events by itself. The wristband must match the present badgeholder’s name to be valid.

Please contact accessibility@sxsw.com for more information about Companion Wristbands.

ASL Interpreting

SXSW EDU provides ASL Interpreters for all Keynotes, Featured Sessions, and our Accessibility & Inclusion track. These and additional sessions that have been added by request can be found in the SXSW EDU schedule.

SXSW EDU ASL Schedule

SXSW EDU does not provide ASL interpreters for expos, parties, sponsor events, or personal 1:1 to accompany individuals throughout the festival. If you are attending one of these types of events and would like to bring your own interpreter, contact accessibility@sxsw.com about our Companion Wristband option.

Captions

All Keynote, Featured Sessions, and films* provide open captioning on the screen for all viewers. Closed captioning will be accessible on your personal device (phone, iPad, computer) via a QR code on the session sign, in the ADA seating section or closed captioning link in the SXSW EDU schedule. Contact accessibility@sxsw.com if you are having trouble accessing your closed captioning link.

The deadline for submitting accommodation requests for SXSW EDU 2025 has passed. We will do our best to honor requests after the deadline, however, services cannot be guaranteed.

Additional questions regarding ASL interpreters and captioning can be directed to accessibility@sxsw.com.

To request an accessible room online with SXSW EDU Housing & Travel, choose your ideal hotel from our available hotel rooms and follow the steps to book. When you reach the “special request field” in step 3 of the booking process (where you’ll also enter your payment information), let us know that you require an accessible room and any other additional details about your stay. We’ll pass this information along to the hotel so they can accommodate your request.

SXSW EDU allows ADA-recognized service animals explicitly trained to assist a person with disabilities at all events. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not permitted at SXSW EDU events.

If you are bringing a service animal, we ask that you register your service animal at one of the Accessibility Help Desks. You will receive a SXSW Service Animal tag that signals to all staff and volunteers that this animal is working and you have been in touch with the Accessibility Team.

Sensory items such as fidgets and ear plugs are available at both the Accessibility Help Desks and the Sensory Room.

Visit our KultureCity Sensory Rooms!

Hilton Sensory Room

Room 415B in the Hilton Hotel

Monday, March 3 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday, March 4​ | ​10:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday, March 5 | ​10:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday, March 6 | ​10:00am – 5:00pm

Transportation

Transportation can be a challenge for everyone attending SXSW EDU. Our advice to attendees is to utilize public transportation, rideshare, or taxi service when available. All public transportation methods have an accessible option.

Parking

If you have a government issued disabled hang tag or license plate, you don’t have to pay the parking meters. Private parking lots and garages may have different rules and regulations. name="mobility">

At SXSW EDU, wheelchairs and 3- or 4-wheel electric scooters, walkers, canes, and crutches are allowed and are reasonably accommodated. Please know that SXSW EDU does not provide push services for attendees. For safety reasons, requests to use other power-driven mobility devices will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please email accessibility@sxsw.com.

Charging

Charging outlets will be available at the Accessibility Desk located on the first floor of the Austin Convention Center. Charging is on a first-come, first-served basis and devices must be secured with a lock or other means of securing the device. SXSW EDU cannot be responsible for unattended devices left charging.

Repair/Rental

While visiting SXSW EDU, please feel free to call or visit the Accessibility Desk on the first floor of the Austin Convention Center for a list of local vendors that can assist with rentals or repairs. It is advised to make rental arrangements in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of equipment.

There is no equipment rental of any kind offered by SXSW. Please make your own mobility accommodations, if required. If you need assistance email accessibility@sxsw.com and we will help provide options within the Greater Austin Area.