Accessibility

Everybody should feel welcome and supported when attending events. This page provides detailed information on the various accessibility features and services available at the Pharmacology 2026 conference. From parking and mobility assistance to sensory spaces and support for those with hidden disabilities, the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) is committed to meeting the needs of all its attendees.

If you have any specific requirements or suggestions as to how we can further enhance accessibility, please don't hesitate to get in touch via the details below. We are here to help make your experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Contact the BPS:

Telephone: 0207 239 0171 (if calling from outside the UK, dial: +44 207 239 0171)
Email: meetings@bps.ac.uk

Contact Manchester Central:

Telephone: +44(0)161 834 2700
Email: accessibility@manchestercentral.co.uk

Jump to:

Manchester Central Accessibility

The Pharmacology 2026 conference will be held at the Manchester Central Convention Complex, which is an 11-minute walk from Manchester city centre.

Stewards are always available during events, should you require any assistance.

Address

Manchester Central Convention Complex,
Windmill St, Manchester,
M2 3GX

Parking

There is parking beneath the venue (provided by the NCP), including 15 disabled spaces on the Upper Level of the Car Park, with lift access to the venue.

Changing places facilities

Manchester Central has accessible toilets in each of the main event spaces across the venue. These facilities include emergency pull cords.

They also have a Changing Places Toilet which can be accessed via the Central Foyer.

To access the toilets, you will need a Radar Key, which can be collected from our concierge desks.

Venue signposting

There is improved signposting to enhance accessibility so customers can navigate around the building with ease.

Wheelchair spaces

All floors can be accessed via lifts.

The venue has lots of room for wheelchairs, and we have several self-propelled wheelchairs (not mobility scooters) available for use within the venue.

To enquire, contact the Event Safety Team on +44 (0)161 834 2700 ext. 2211 or email eventsafetyteam@manchestercentral.co.uk. Bookings should be made in advance as availability cannot be guaranteed otherwise.

Hearing Loops

Induction Loop facilities are available in the Central and Charter Foyers as well as the Exchange Auditorium.

A Deaf Alerter® fire warning system has been installed throughout the entire venue, compatible with Deaf Alerter® pagers, which operate nationally and internationally.

There is a limited number of site-specific Alerters available from the concierge desk.

Assistance dogs welcome

Assistance dogs are welcome at the venue. On rare occasions, event organisers may reserve the right to make a decision which falls outside of this, so we advise checking with the organiser in advance.

Hidden disabilities

The BPS wants its conference to be a safe and happy place for everyone to enjoy. However, the size of the venue and the large crowds mixed in with all the different sounds, lights, smells and experiences can be overwhelming especially for attendees with mental health, emotional and sensory issues.

There will be a Sensory Calm Space at the conference. The aim of this space will be to provide a safe, low-level stimulation and recalibration zone for our neurodivergent conference attendees. Find out more by visiting the Registration Desk when you arrive at the conference.

Parent and child space

Conference attendees are welcome to bring babies under 12 months of age into lectures, but we ask that they are taken out of the room if they become unsettled. We advise attendees use their own discretion as to whether a session is suitable for babies as some content featured in sessions may be triggering/upsetting.

Nursing mothers are welcome to breastfeed their babies anywhere in the conference venue but a private feeding room will be available for those who prefer it. Please ask for the location at the Registration Desk.

Prayer room

A permanent Prayer Room is located in the Exchange Lower Foyer.

Chaperone

Free event registration is available for any required chaperones. Please get in touch with the Events team to discuss this further: meetings@bps.ac.uk

More accessibility information from Manchester Central

Visit Manchester Central's Accessibility page for more information.

Q&A via the Event App

There will be a Q&A function on the Event App for the main lecture theatre. This allows attendees to ask questions via the app instead of using the standing microphones. A link to download the app and a code to join the event will be emailed to registered delegates in the weeks leading up to the conference.

Live Captioning

Each session will have live captioning on the room's screen(s). You will also be able to view the captions on your smartphone, with the ability to change language should that be required. Details on how to access these will be emailed to registered delegates in the weeks leading up to the conference.

Conference Catering

The full conference menu will be provided within one month of the event.

Accessibility in and around Manchester

For general information about Manchester, we recommend visiting the Visit Manchester website.

Euan's Guide is a website that provides disabled access information by disabled people for disabled people. You can use their search function to find reviews of venues in Manchester.

Triggering/upsetting content

Due to the medical nature of the conference, triggering or upsetting content may feature in some of the sessions. We have asked presenters to be sensitive when it comes to discussing or showing potentially triggering/upsetting content, advising they give a verbal or visual warning before doing so. Unfortunately, the BPS can not enforce this. We advise attendees to use their own discretion as to whether they wish to join or leave a session. Attendees are free to leave a session whenever they wish.

BPS care support bursary

BPS members with caring responsibilities can apply for a care support bursary worth up to £200 to help cover caring costs to allow you to attend Pharmacology 2026. You must apply for the bursary at least one month before the conference.

Other ways the BPS can support you

We are always looking for ways to improve our events, enabling all our members to access these. We therefore would like to hear your feedback for future events, if you have any requirements you believe we aren't catering to we would like to hear these. Please contact us:

Email: meetings@bps.ac.uk

Telephone: 0207 239 0171 (if calling from outside the UK, dial: +44 207 239 0171)

🎟️