Diversity / Inclusion

Depending on your nationality, you may need an ETA or a Standard Visitor Visa to enter the UK to attend the European Robotics Forum. Most visa-exempt visitors (including EU, US, Canada, Australia) must obtain an ETA at least one week before traveling to the UK. The ETA costs £20.

Many unofficial commercial websites offer to apply for an ETA on your behalf for inflated fees (£50–£100+). Only apply directly via the official GOV.UK ETA Page or the official “UK ETA” app.

If you require a full visa, apply early via the official GOV.UK Visa Portal. Processing takes 3–6 weeks.

If you require an official conference invitation letter for your visa application, please contact us at erf@serenevents.com.

Birmingham Airport is committed to providing an inclusive, welcoming, and accessible environment for all passengers. Beyond dedicated support for travelers with reduced mobility or hidden disabilities, we offer a comprehensive range of facilities to meet your travel needs—including dedicated childcare and baby-changing facilities for families, as well as multi-faith prayer and quiet rooms for spiritual reflection and peace of mind.

• More information for travelers with reduced mobility or hidden disabilities: Assisted Travel at Birmingham Airport | Birmingham Airport
• More information on multi-faith prayer and quiet rooms Multi-faith prayer room | Birmingham Airport
• More information on travelling with kids Changing places toilet facilities | Birmingham Airport & Guide to Travelling with Kids | Birmingham Airport

Birmingham and the wider West Midlands have an extensive public transport network incorporating buses, trains and trams. Many local buses feature low-floor access to make boarding easier for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs. Dedicated accessibility information is also available for visitors with limited mobility. 

Birmingham Airport connects to Birmingham International Railway Station via a free, accessible, on-demand monorail called the Air-Rail. Both Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street feature Category A step-free access to all platforms, lifts, and accessible/Changing Places toilets.

You can arrange support for boarding or navigating platforms through Passenger Assist via the National Rail Accessible Travel page or by using the Passenger Assistance app. “Turn up and go” assistance is also available directly from staff at the stations

More information on Birmingham International Station: Birmingham International Station | Avanti West Coast

More information on Birmingham New Street Station: Birmingham New Street – Facilities, Shops and Parking Information  including Birmingham New Street accessible station guide  and Autism friendly guide to travelling by train

Affordable accommodation in Birmingham starts around £25 per night, with popular budget choices including easyHotel Birmingham City Centre, Travelodge Birmingham Central Newhall Street, and ibis budget Birmingham Centre.  

Hostels and Alternative stays are also available at

• Birmingham Central Backpackers located on Coventry Street in Digbeth, ideal for travelers seeking the lowest-cost dormitory beds
• Conference Aston Hotel  located on the Aston University campus, offering competitively priced hotel rooms during off-peak times and select periods

Real-time availability, accessibility information, facilities, opening hours, and user reviews about Birmingham’s public toilets can be found at 98 Public Toilets in Birmingham | City Centre Toilet Finder

As one of the UK’s most culturally diverse cities, Birmingham offers welcoming places of worship for all major world faiths. A variety of temples, mosques, churches, synagogues, and gurdwaras are located within a 15-minute walk of the venue.

Queer Church Birmingham is an Emerging New Small Cross-Denominational, Democratic, and Community-Run Church for LGBTQ+ People, Straight Allies, and people of all faiths or none.

• In any life-threatening emergency 24/7 call for Ambulance, Fire, or Police -> call 999 immediately.
• For non-emergency medical direction and same-day appointment bookings -> call 111 or visit nhs.uk.
• For police reporting non-urgent incidents or lost property -> call 101
• The main Emergency Hospital for serious injuries, severe illnesses, or emergency medical attention is Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham
• For non-life-threatening injuries (sprains, minor cuts, minor burns, infections, etc.) several urgent treatment centres are available within Birmingham. Please note that access is usually arranged via calling NHS 111 first for an allocated slot.
• For sudden dental emergencies, severe toothache, broken teeth, or lost crowns during your visit, dial 111 for booking an available local NHS dental clinic or the Birmingham Dental Hospital
• For delegates using manual wheelchairs, powerchairs, or mobility scooters who experience mechanical issues, flat tires, or battery failures use the On-Site & Repair Services from Ideas in Action (Mobility Repairs & Workshop)or Capitol Mobility
• Information about City Centre Main Shopping District Pharmacies can be found below

UK Pharmacy Regulations:

Over-the-Counter: Paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines, and digestive remedies are widely available without a prescription.

Foreign Prescriptions: UK pharmacists cannot directly dispense medication written by non-UK doctors. If an international attendee loses or runs out of critical medication, they should call NHS 111 to be directed to a local doctor who can issue a temporary UK prescription.

If you need a quiet space to feed, change, or take a break with young children in  Birmingham the following city centre locations feature fully equipped Parent & Baby Rooms

Birmingham Library

• Location: Centenary Square (lower ground floor, level 1 and 3)
• Amenities: Height-adjustable changing bench, feeding chairs, and sink facilities.

Bullring & Grand Central Shopping Centre

• Locations: West Mall (Lower Level) and East Mall (Upper Level, near accessible amenities).
• Amenities: Private feeding cubicles, bottle-warming facilities, adult & toddler-sized toilets, and padded changing tables.

Major Department Stores (City Centre)

• Marks & Spencer (High Street): Customer toilets and spacious baby changing rooms on the upper floors.
• Boots Flagship (High Street): Baby changing station and pharmacy support on the lower ground floor.

Birmingham New Street Station

• Location: Public toilet area on the main concourse level.

Birmingham has a well-established LGBTQ+ community and is home to the Southside Village (also addressed as Gay Village),  just a 5–10 minute walk from New Street Station / Grand Central . The Southside / Gay Village district is well-lit and monitored by active street wardens. Standard UK taxis, Uber, and Bolt operate 24/7 across the area.

Birmingham LGBTQ+ offers a range of services for the LGBTQ+ Community in Birmingham and beyond.  More information about Birmingham LGBTQ+ can be found at Birmingham LGBT – Supporting Birmingham’s LGBTQ+ Community

In the unlikely event of experiencing street harassment or bias incidents, local support is available via Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline (+44 300 330 0630)

The International Convention Centre (ICC)  in Birmingham is the main venue for the European Robotics Forum 2027. One of the ICC’s most popular features is The Mall, which not only connects our halls and meeting rooms, but also links Birmingham’s Brindleyplace and Convention Quarter to the rest of the city centre.

The venue is fully committed to ensuring accessibility to every visitor, all the time. If you have any queries, or need assistance during your visit, just get in touch with a member of the team who will be happy to help. More information can be found at Accessible to all | The ICC, Birmingham.

♿ Unisex, wheelchair accessible toilets are available on all levels. Please note, some of these facilities require radar keys, which can be obtained from the security mall officer and are indicated on the map with a key symbol.

🛐Prayer or reflection space is available on level 3.

🚼Baby-changing facilities can be found on level 2.

The Map ICC will provide further information on lift routes,lifts, etc.

Information to follow soon

The Jam House welcomes everyone of all abilities and will do its best to accommodate any guest, but please note there may be certain limitations on our accessibility for some. If you’re unsure about anything we recommend reaching out to birmingham@thejamhouse.com with any queries and so that we can best try to accommodate your needs.

Information about facilities and accessibility at the Jam House can be found here

The Library of Birmingham is our venue for the ERF2027 Gala Dinner. The library promotes diversity and inclusion through accessible universal design, multilingual and multicultural collections, and dedicated community health and wellbeing programs. It won the prestigious Selwyn Goldsmith Award for Universal Design in 2015 for integrating barrier-free access seamlessly into its architecture.

Information about facilities and accessibility at Library of Birmingham can be found here

Albert Schloss is fully wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets, welcomes assistance dogs, and maintains an inclusive environment committed to diversity under the Equality Act, offering dietary accommodations and a welcoming space for all groups.

Information about facilities and accessibility at Albert Schloss can be found at here

We have provided our speakers and workshop organizers with guidelines to help make their content accessible to everyone, encouraging them to:

• Design Inclusive Workshop Formats: Structure sessions and use tools (digital polling, small break-out groups, etc.) so that every participant can contribute.
• Create Accessible Presentations: Use clear, high-contrast, readable presentation slides.
• Use Live Captioning during presentations where available.
• Incorporate Inclusive Communication: Use inclusive language and avoid unnecessary jargon.

• Step-free access to the main stage is provided (via an adjacent room)
• On-stage seating is available for speakers who prefer not to stand for extended periods.
• Reserved seating near the front of the room can be allocated for those who need closer proximity to the stage or screen.
• Indoor temperatures may vary across rooms. We advise attendees to bring layers so they can adjust their clothing for maximum personal comfort.