We are thrilled to welcome you to Durham University for Critical Neurodiversity Studies: Directions, Intersections, Contradictions.
We have put together an attendee pack to support you during your stay and help you get the most of your time with us. Inside, you’ll find detailed guidance on arriving to and travelling within Durham, accommodation options, recommendations for exploring Durham, and accessibility information and conference commitments that reflect our values of inclusivity.
A plain text version of the pack can be found here.
About the venue
The Palatine Centre | Stockton Road | Durham | DH1 3LE
The conference will be taking place in the Palatine Centre at Durham University.
Situated on Stockton Road within Durham University’s Lower Mountjoy site, the Palatine Centre offers modern facilities designed with inclusivity in mind:
- Step-free access: The building offers step-free access throughout, ensuring ease of movement for wheelchair users and those with mobility impairments.
- All-gender and accessible toilets and changing facilities: Accessible and all-gender toilet facilities are available on the ground floor. A Changing Places toilet is located on the ground floor, equipped with an adjustable changing bench and a powered overhead hoist.
- Hearing assistance: A fixed hearing loop system is installed at the reception desk to assist attendees with hearing impairments.
- Lift access: Standard lifts provide access to all floors, featuring tactile markings and audible floor indicators to assist visually impaired users.
- All seminar rooms and lecture theatres have dimmable lights, with considerations for acoustics and space to ensure comfortable movement for all participants.
- Access to green space (e.g., woodland and river walks) within close proximity.
Dedicated rooms
In addition to the lecture theatres and seminar rooms where the conference papers will be presented, we will be offering the following dedicated rooms within the venue as part of our commitment to meet the access and inclusion needs of as many potential attendees, whether in person or online, as we possibly can.
- Networking Room: A space with room for movement and ample seating designed to foster connection and conversation, with optional prompts provided by our Creative Facilitation Unit to support accessible social engagement.
- Sensory Room
- Dark/Quiet Room
- Virtual Attendance Rooms for Keynotes: Designated spaces within the venue where attendees can attend the hybrid keynote sessions in a separate setting, offering greater flexibility and comfort while staying connected to the main event. Attendees will still be able to participate in the question-and-answer sessions virtually.
These commitments are just the starting point. We are constantly looking at how we can enhance our offerings for the conference within the resources available to us, and we will be regularly updating this page to share all the ways we will be making our conference the most comfortable and accessible event possible.
Last updated: 23.04.2025