Accessibility FAQ
The Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering is committed to providing an inclusive environment and will do our best to accommodate requests for special assistance.
Accessibility at Zillow Commons
This page describes the accessibility features of our premier event space, Zillow Commons, on the top floor of the Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering to help you make an informed decision about whether the event will be accessible to you. Please contact us if your question is not answered here or if the event arrangements as described are not enough to allow you to attend. We will work with you to the best of our ability to make the event accessible.
When you register for the event, there will be a registration question labeled “Do you have a disability or special need which requires our awareness?” In your response, please indicate any accessibility needs such as wheelchair access, sign language interpretation, or a guide. The Allen School Events team will follow up with you to clarify your needs. You can contact them directly at any time by emailing events@cs.washington.edu.
Please email events@cs.washington.edu to discuss your specific needs with the venue directly.
If there is specific accessibility information you would like to see here or if you wish to discuss any event accessibility requirements, please contact our Assistant Director of Events, Amber Cochran, by email at amberlco@cs.washington.edu.
Disability parking spaces are available in all public lots. Lot C15 and lot C17, are the closest lots to the Gates Center with disability parking stalls. Vehicles parked in disability parking spaces on the UW campus must display an official disability placard or plate AND must also purchase a valid UW parking permit.
A UW parking permit is required for all vehicles parking on campus from Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays from 7 a.m. until noon. Permits are issued for a specific parking lot and are valid in any disability stall or other available general stall in that lot.
Visitors using the PayByPhone app can also enter the Universal Disability location number (123207) to park in disability spaces in any public UW lot.
The event will provide a team of sign language interpreters or captioners if requested by any attendees during the early registration period. Please make your request as early as possible. After the early registration deadline, a best effort will be made to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee that interpreters or captioners will be available.
Please visit the Getting Here page for public transit options and detailed directions for getting to the Gates Center.
If you will need volunteer assistance at the event, please contact us before registering.
Attendees who require personal care assistance should bring their own assistant. Personal care assistants do not need to register for the event.
Yes, the event will be accessible to wheelchair users. The building has a level entrance with an automatic door button. There is a ramp to the main floor, and elevators are available to access the event space. Meeting rooms will have wheelchair spaces, and volunteers can assist with the lunch buffet upon request.
We do not have a stage, so the podium is level with the floor. Poster sessions will have space for a wheelchair to move between the posters.
If there is an emergency where the elevators are not operable, press the red emergency button near the elevators to alert security and emergency responders.
For more information about wheelchair accessibility at Zillow Commons, please contact events@cs.washington.edu.
The Men’s, Women’s, and single-user all-gender restrooms are located near the elevator. Each restroom contains at least one wheelchair-accessible stall with grab bars. All restroom doors are manual and must be opened by hand.
Yes! Guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at Zillow Commons. Please indicate on your registration form if you anticipate bringing a service animal.
Yes. Attendees who indicate dietary requirements on their registration form will be provided with special meals. If you have severe allergies, please indicate this on your registration form.
The entire event venue is a no-smoking area.
If you plan to attend an event and need a quiet space, please note this in your registration form so we can make arrangements for you.
Have additional questions?
Please contact our Assistant Director of Events, Amber Cochran, by email at amberlco@cs.washington.edu.