Accessibility & Inclusion

Baku Olympic Stadium

WUF13 is committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible experience for all participants. The venue will be equipped with accessibility as a priority and features clear signage, ramps, lifts, accessible restrooms, tactile pathways and on-site support, ensuring easy and comfortable navigation for everyone.

People with disabilities from diverse backgrounds will be actively involved in the planning and delivery of accessibility services, helping to ensure inclusivity across all areas of the Forum.

Quiet rooms

At the WUF13 venue, three dedicated Quiet Rooms will be available to support individuals with cognitive disabilities, as well as participants who may need relief, relaxation, or a calm environment due to sensory overload.

Access to a Quiet Room will be provided upon request at Accessibility Help Desk 2, located in Area B.

The Quiet Rooms will be situated across Areas A, B and C to ensure convenient access for all participants.

Each room, measuring approximately 20 square metres, will be equipped with comfortable furniture, soft lighting, sound-reducing features and sensory-friendly elements, creating a calm and supportive environment. The rooms will provide a quiet space where visitors can rest and regain comfort before continuing their engagement in the Forum.

Wheelchair users

The WUF13 venue will be fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring smooth and comfortable mobility across all areas of the Forum.

All routes, entrances and exits will be equipped with ramps and lifts that meet international accessibility standards.

Dedicated registration desks for participants with disabilities will be available in the main entrance area. Accessibility support desks will operate at three key locations within the venue, where trained staff and volunteers will assist participants with disabilities:

Help Desk 1 in Entrance Area A
Help Desk 2 in Area B
Help Desk 3 in Area A near the exit.

A wheelchair maintenance and repair station will be available, offering inspection services and basic technical support. Portable power stations will be provided for electric wheelchairs. Spare wheelchairs (manual, electric and 150+kg capacity) will be available on site for temporary use within the venue.

Wheelchair-accessible restrooms that meet international standards will be located throughout the venue.

Catering areas will be fully accessible for wheelchair users.

Accessible transportation options — including buses, taxis (London cabs) and metro connections — will be available for travel between the airport, hotels and the venue.

Visually impaired attendees

WUF13 will ensure that the venue is fully accessible and easy to navigate for attendees with visual impairments, through a range of inclusive design features and assistive tools that support independence and comfort.

A tactile map will be prominently positioned at the main entrance for immediate reference. Braille brochures and information materials will be available at the accessibility support desks.

Information booklets will be provided in both Azerbaijani and English to ensure comprehensive access to information.

Braille signage will be installed on all doors and key facilities throughout the venue. The venue design incorporates high-contrast colour schemes and yellow tactile markers on transparent doors, as well as at the beginning and end of ramps and staircases, to enhance visibility and safety.

Tactile paving will be installed throughout the stadium to guide attendees with visual impairments safely across all areas.

Guide dogs will be welcome throughout all areas of the WUF13 venue. Three designated relief areas will be available for guide dogs.

Visitors accompanied by guide dogs will be kindly requested to ensure that all required documentation is provided and that the dog’s muzzle is properly secured.

Service/Guide dog

At the WUF13 areas, there are three designated Service/Guide Dog Relief Areas located outdoors on grass. These areas are specifically designated for service dogs of people with disabilities to rest and relieve themselves in a safe and comfortable environment.

The first Service/Guide Dog Relief Area is located in Area A.

The second Service/Guide Dog Relief Area is located in Area C.

The third Service/Guide Dog Relief Area is located in Area D.

Unlike previous WUF events, WUF13 provides a dedicated Veterinary Examination Room within the venue in Zone B. This facility is available to examine service dogs of participants with disabilities and to provide first aid when necessary. The room ensures that all service animals receive prompt attention, supporting both their well-being and the comfort of their handlers throughout the Forum.

Attendees with hearing and speech impairments

WUF13 will provide a range of services and technologies to ensure full participation for attendees with hearing or speech impairments.

Sign language interpretation will be provided during the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of WUF13. An induction system (hearing loop) will be installed in key areas throughout the venue to support participants using hearing aids or cochlear implants.

CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) services will be provided to support participants. Upon request, participants may also arrange a paid sign language interpreter for other sessions. These services will be designed to ensure that all sessions, discussions and networking opportunities are as accessible and inclusive as possible for everyone.

Attendees with cognitive disabilities

WUF13 is committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for participants with cognitive disabilities, ensuring that everyone can engage comfortably throughout the Forum.

There will be three dedicated quiet rooms within the venue, designed to provide a calm and low-sensory environment for participants who may need a break from the busy event atmosphere.

Sunflower lanyards will be available upon voluntary request at the accessibility support desks. These discreetly signal that the wearer may need additional support, time, or understanding from staff and volunteers.

All WUF13 staff and volunteers have been trained to recognize and respectfully assist participants with invisible disabilities. Use of these lanyards is optional.

Transportation

To ensure smooth and convenient travel, accessible transportation options will be provided for participants with disabilities attending WUF13.

Accessible buses, taxis (including London cabs), and metro services will be available to facilitate travel between the airport, hotels and the WUF13 venue.

All vehicles used for participant transport will meet international accessibility standards, ensuring safe and comfortable mobility for wheelchair users and individuals with other accessibility needs.

Special parking areas and accessible drop-off points will be available near the venue to support easier arrival and departure.

Guide dogs will be permitted on all transportation services provided by WUF13.

For information on Baku Metro accessibility, please visit:

https://metro.gov.az

Please note that entry into the metro network with guide dogs is prohibited.

To book accessible metro services, please contact:

+994 50 268 00 65

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