Venue | Arma 2026

Accessibility in the Venue

The Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC) is committed to being inclusive and accessible to all visitors. Staff are trained to provide assistance where required, and the venue works closely with local accessibility groups to continuously improve facilities. Their website (www.harrogateconventioncentre.co.uk) provides full accessibility information, some of which is highlighted below.

ssistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the venue being used for the conference.

Navigating the venue

Clear signage, lighting, and steward support make the venue easy to navigate. Detailed Access Guides (developed with AccessAble) are available online and via the AccessAble app, along with photos and information to help plan your visit. Staff will be on hand throughout the event to support delegates with accessibility needs.

Lifts
All public areas of the venue are accessible by lift. Lifts provide step-free access to the main entrance, auditoriums, halls, and meeting rooms, with direct lift access available from the underground car park to Entrance One (Auditorium).

Toilet Facilities

Accessible toilets are available throughout the venue. Facilities include step-free access, grab rails, emergency call buttons, and lowered fittings. Additional support can be arranged if required.

Hearing Support

A fixed-loop hearing system is available at the main reception desk and within the Auditorium. The Royal Hall is equipped with an infrared hearing system. Portable induction loops can be installed in other areas upon request—please let the organisers know in advance if this is required.

Wheelchair Spaces

Designated wheelchair spaces are available in both the Auditorium and the Royal Hall. Seating layouts are designed to accommodate a range of access needs, and the venue also provides “fat friendly seating” information to ensure inclusivity.

The HCC works with local mobility hire companies (including Harrogate Shopmobility, Rise Furniture & Mobility, and Able to Enable) for wheelchairs and scooters if you cannot bring your own. If you are presenting and require stage access, ramps and other adjustments can be arranged in advance to ensure full participation.

Hidden Disabilities & Neurodiversity at ARMA 2026

ARMA is dedicated to making this a welcoming event for everyone and making sure all our attendees have the right information and tools in place to get the most out of the meeting.
During registration, you will be asked if there are any ways in which we can help facilitate the meeting based on your requirements. If there is anything we can provide, please let us know there or get in touch if you have ideas on how to make the conference a more inclusive space.

Some helpful things to know before the meeting are below:

Hidden Disability Lanyards
Any attendees who wear a Sunflower Lanyard to indicate a hidden disability are welcome to wear this instead of, or in addition to, their conference lanyard. Conference staff at the HCC have been trained to support anyone who might need assistance. Please feel free to ask any team member wearing an ARMA-branded t-shirt for help.

Quiet Room
A quiet room will be available at the HCC for anyone needing a space to decompress. The room will be clearly signposted, or you can ask a member of staff to guide you.

Autism-friendly Guide to the HCC
We understand that attending an event can be challenging for some individuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC), sensory sensitivities, or additional needs. The Conference team has equality and accessibility training, and resources are available to help visitors feel prepared for attending an event. Staff are on hand to assist and ensure a supportive environment throughout the conference.

Finding Accessible Hospitality

Harrogate has a wide range of excellent bars, restaurants, and hotels, while also being a historic spa town with beautiful old buildings, narrow streets, and some cobbled areas that may not always meet modern accessibility standards.

While we have chosen venues with excellent accessibility for all our conference activities, you may want some help finding hotels, restaurants, and attractions that cater to specific needs during your stay in Harrogate. Euan’s Guide is a useful resource for this, providing reviews and helping you locate venues with ramp access, accessible toilets, and other accessibility features.