Everyone is welcome at SXSW EDU. We strive to make our conference and festivals accessible to the largest number of people possible, and are always looking at ways to remove barriers. If you have accessibility requirements, please contact accessibility@sxsw.com so we can work together to find a reasonable accommodation for your request. This page will be updated with additional accessibility information as it becomes available. Please check back often.

Please fill out our Accessibility Accommodation Form to submit your request to the SXSW EDU Accessibility Team.

Accessibility Accommodations Form

The deadline for accommodation requests for SXSW EDU 2026 is February 23, 2026. We will do our best to honor requests after the deadline, however services cannot be guaranteed.

• Email: accessibility@sxsw.com
• Phone: 512-484-9130 (Call or Text)

An Accessibility Designated SXSW EDU Badge will provide attendees with accessibility needs access to designated seating, use of the ADA Entrance. All designated SXSW EDU accessible seating are based on capacity and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

To get an Accessibility Designated SXSW EDU Badge, email reg@sxsw.com and ask them to add it to your badge before the event. While we can add it at the event, adding it in advance will make the process faster.

Those with Accessibility Designation have the option of using ADA entry and ADA/ASL seating during our event. All designated SXSW accessible seating is based on capacity and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Events with Added Accessibility Features

Finding Added Accessibility Features: The SXSW EDU schedule has filters to help attendees find the events that have added accessibility features. Select 'Accessibility' from the top of the list of filters. This will show the different accessibility options to choose from. Check the box for the feature needed, and the schedule will update to show only the events that have that available.

Below, you'll find descriptions of each accessibility feature. Once the schedule is released, you'll be able to click on the name of any feature to open a pre-filtered schedule with the list of events that include that type of accessibility.

Note: Many events have multiple accessibility features.

Open Captioning (OC): Live Open Captioning available on the screen for all viewers.
Closed Captioning (CC): Live Closed Captioning available on attendees personal device.
American Sign Language (ASL): American Sign Language interpretation for the audience. Placed in front of the ASL/ADA reserved seating area.

SXSW does not provide 1:1 interpreters, personal aids, or guides. Attendees who require these and other accommodations we do not offer during SXSW can request a Companion Wristband. This will allow them to provide the necessary accommodations to accompany them without purchasing an additional badge. The Companion Wristband is paired directly with an Accessibility Designated Badge and does not grant access to any events by itself. The wristband must match the present badgeholder’s name to be valid.

Please contact accessibility@sxsw.com for more information about Companion Wristbands.

ASL Interpreting

SXSW EDU provides ASL Interpreters for many of our large events as well as those request of attendees and presenters.

SXSW EDU does not provide ASL interpreters for expos, parties, sponsor events, or personal 1:1 to accompany individuals throughout the festival. If you are attending one of these types of events and would like to bring your own interpreter, contact accessibility@sxsw.com about our Companion Wristband option.

Captions

Captioning information will be available here Fall 2026. Please contact accessibility@sxsw.com for more information.

To request an accessible room online with SXSW EDU Housing & Travel, choose your ideal hotel from our available hotel rooms and follow the steps to book. When you reach the “special request field” in step 3 of the booking process (where you’ll also enter your payment information), let us know that you require an accessible room and any other additional details about your stay. We’ll pass this information along to the hotel so they can accommodate your request.

SXSW EDU allows ADA-recognized service animals explicitly trained to assist a person with disabilities at all events. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not permitted at SXSW EDU events.

If you are bringing a service animal, we ask that you register your service animal at one of the Accessibility Help Desks. You will receive a SXSW Service Animal tag that signals to all staff and volunteers that this animal is working and you have been in touch with the Accessibility Team.

Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with PTSD, dementia, autism, and other similar conditions (1 in 4 individuals). One of the significant barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to overstimulation and noise, which is an enormous part of this environment.

Check back here for information on our sensory rooms and tools for SXSW EDU 2026.

Transportation

Transportation can be a challenge for everyone attending SXSW EDU. Our advice to attendees is to utilize public transportation, rideshare, or taxi service when available. All public transportation methods have an accessible option.

Parking

If you have a government issued disabled hang tag or license plate, you don’t have to pay the parking meters. Private parking lots and garages may have different rules and regulations. name="mobility">

At SXSW EDU, wheelchairs and 3- or 4-wheel electric scooters, walkers, canes, and crutches are allowed and are reasonably accommodated. Please know that SXSW EDU does not provide push services for attendees. For safety reasons, requests to use other power-driven mobility devices will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please email accessibility@sxsw.com.

Charging

Charging information will be available here closer to the event.

Repair/Rental

There is no equipment rental of any kind offered by SXSW EDU. Please make your own mobility accommodations, if required. If you need assistance email accessibility@sxsw.com and we will help provide options within the Greater Austin Area.