We are continuing several inclusion initiatives that turned out successful in past RecSys conferences:
As last year, RecSys will provide deeply discounted rates for attendees registering in countries designated by ACM as “economically developing” (categorization based on World Bank GNI), acknowledging the impact of exchange rates and international inequities. These will be available directly on the RecSys 2024 registration page.
Care grants are designed to cover extra costs for caring for dependents if attendees’ caretaker responsibilities are a barrier to their participation in the conference. Parents with young children can find child care facilities listed on the location page, closer to the conference dates. Applicants do not need to have a paper accepted to obtain the grant. Applications will open on May 1st and will be reviewed on a weekly basis.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the chairs at .
How do I communicate accessibility needs to ACM Conference on Recommender Systems organizers?
The Inclusion and Accessibility chairs for the ACM Conference on Recommender Systems are Bruce Ferwerda, Oana Inel, and Tao Ye, whose goal is to ensure the conference is accessible to everyone. When you register for the conference, there will be a registration question labeled ‘Do you have a disability or special need that impacts your access to RecSys 2024 conference, special interest groups, publications, or digital resources?’. In your response, please indicate any accessibility needs such as wheelchair access or a guide. Bruce, Oana, and Tao will follow up with you to clarify your needs. You can contact them directly at any time by mailing .
Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?
Please contact Bruce, Oana, and Tao or discuss your specific needs with the venue directly via mail.
If there is specific accessibility information you would like to see here, or if you wish to discuss any conference accessibility requirements, please contact our Inclusion and Accessibility chairs by mail: , and someone will respond to you shortly.
What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during the conference?
In case of emergency, for immediate medical attention or to call for an ambulance, you can dial the number 112 from any phone in Italy. No country code is necessary. If you require non-urgent medical care, please contact the Inclusion and Accessibility chairs or ask any student volunteer. They will provide you with information about local doctors. For non-resident attendees, buying travel insurance that covers medical expenses is strongly recommended as fees for emergency treatment can be high.
Accessibility at the Conference Venue
Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?
The conference will try to provide a team of sign language interpreters or captioners if requested by any attendees during the early registration period, if that is possible. Please make your request as early as possible. Our Inclusion and Accessibility chairs will follow up with you to discuss your needs in more detail. After the deadline for early registration, a best effort will be made to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee that interpreters or captioners will be available.
Who can I ask about accessibility in Bari, Italy?
Information about accessibility in Bari, Italy will be made available shortly.
Can a student volunteer assist me during the conference?
Student volunteers will be available to assist attendees with disabilities with navigation, meal service, or other accessibility needs. If you will need volunteer assistance at the conference, please indicate this on your conference registration form.
Attendees who require personal care assistance should bring their own assistant. Personal care assistants do not need to register for the conference. If the assistant will be having food and drink provided by the conference during coffee/tea breaks, lunches, and/or the reception, we ask that these be added into the attendee’s registration at the ‘extra options’ stage of the registration process.
What is the conference space like?
The conference is hosted in three locations in Bari, Italy, which are less than 30 minutes apart (by public transport or by foot): Politecnico di Bari at University Campus, Petruzzelli Teather, and Chamber of Commerce. For more information about the location, check the details regarding the conference venue.
Emergency evacuation plans will be shared as part of the initial presentation. Please see our other FAQs for more details about wheelchair or power scooter access, provisions for presenters, restrooms, walking and steps, and facilities for assistance animals.
Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?
Yes, all the conference venues will be accessible to wheelchair users. Upon request on registration, there will be a ramp to access the speakers podium, and student volunteers will be available to help during coffee breaks.
If you are a presenter who uses a wheelchair, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements. Poster sessions will have space for a wheelchair to move between the posters.
What are the restroom facilities like?
Plenty of restroom facilities including elderly and handicap-friendly are available.
At Petruzzelli theater there is also a mixed-gender restroom.
What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?
All attendees are expected to follow the accessible presentations guidelines communicated by the respective track chairs.
A ramp will be provided to access the podium if needed, and student volunteers will guide anyone who requests it. If you are a presenter who uses a wheelchair, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements. Poster sessions will have space for a wheelchair to move between the posters. If you would like a student volunteer to operate slides or guide you onto and off the stage, or have other accessibility requests please contact the Inclusion and Accessibility chairs by the deadline for early registration.
Can I bring my guide dog?
Yes! Guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at the ACM Conference on Recommender Systems. There will be a relief area with water available. Please indicate on your registration form if you anticipate bringing a service animal to the conference.
How much walking or standing will be needed?
Although the conference is organized across three different venues, daily activities are mainly scheduled to happen at the same location or at two different locations that are less than five minutes apart. Please contact the Inclusion and Accessibility chairs as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.
Will there be an induction loop in the meeting rooms?
We are still working on establishing which rooms have induction loops. Please let us know in the registration if you require an induction loop to be installed in the conference area.
Will speakers and audience members asking questions be using a microphone?
Yes, microphones will be used for all speakers. Attendees with questions will be requested to use a microphone so that their question is more easily heard.
What food service will be provided?
The conference will not provide lunch meals during the main conference days. However, many restaurants are available around the conference center. In the coffee breaks, coffee and refreshments will be served. If budget permits, we plan to provide lunch during workshop and tutorial days.
Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?
The entire conference venue is a non-smoking area. However, smoking is permitted at the designated smoking areas outside of the buildings.
Will there be loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, or other strong sensory experiences?
The venue is mostly free of smell, sound and light stimuli. Participants will be requested not to use flash photography. Please indicate on your registration form if there are specific items you would like to know about in advance.
Please contact the Inclusion and Accessibility chairs as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.
Will there be a designated quiet space at the conference?
We are able to provide a quiet space at the conference suitable for conversations. In addition, the conference lobby is a quiet place during the talks and suitable for conversation.
Travel
What are the taxi and public transport options for getting to the conference venue?
Please see our travel information page.
Do I need a Visa for Italy?
Please check the official documentation in order to see whether you meet the entry or visa requirements to Italy.
