Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to get information about this conference?
Kindly visit website www.icevi2024wc.org where you find complete information and latest updates about the conference
2. What is the venue of the Conference:
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University
Jyotirmay Parisar, Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, Chharodi, Sarkhej – Gandhinagar Hwy, opp. Shri Balaji Temple, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481
Website: www. https://baou.edu.in/
Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dpa1cde2iRG4xcgv7
3. Where to find details of ICEVI?
The International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) is a membership organisation with a mission to promote access to inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all people with visual impairment. Visit website www.icevi.org for more details.
4. Who are organizers of the Conference?
The World Conference is being hosted by the Blind People’s Association (BPA), Ahmedabad India, which as you know is one of the premier organisations serving persons with disabilities in India (website www.bpaindia.org) The Conference Co-Host is Sense International India, a leading organisation in developing services for deafblind people in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. (website: www.senseintindia.org).
We are organising this world event in collaboration with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad, which is renowned for its higher education program promoting “Education for All”. The University campus is the venue for the conference. (website www.baou.edu.in).
The conference theme is Inclusion in Diversity: Equity and Accessibility for All.
5. Who should participate in the conference?
This conference is great opportunity for the Special Educators, Education Managers, Teacher Educators, parents, officials, Administrators and Govt officials in the field of education of children with visual impairment, deafblindness and additional disabilities with visual impairment.
6. What is special about this conference?
First, this is first time that this conference is being organised in India. Secondly, the proceedings of the Conference shall be published as a book with ISBN Registration. The application for publication of this book has been approved by ISBN with Application No. 22254|ISBN|2023|P. The paper of all presenters will be published under this ISBN. This is one of the most affordable international conferences organised so far in the field of education of such children.
7. What is the Registration fee for the participants of the conference?
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In-Person attendance: |
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Registration before 30th September 2024 |
Non-Indian delegates |
US$ 400 |
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Indian delegates |
INR 16,400 |
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Registration after 1st october 2024 |
Non-Indian delegates |
US$ 450 |
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Indian delegates |
INR 20,500 |
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Accompanying person |
US$ 200 |
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The registration fee is inclusive of conference materials, conference bag, welcome reception and Gala dinner. Additional details, including payment of registration fee, and bank transfers will be posted on the ICEVI website and published through ICEVI’s communication channels.
8. What are facilities for accommodation?
The Host Committee is providing accommodation at one Guest House and 4 hotels. The complete details are available on the web page: https://icevi2024wc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Accommodation-Info.pdf
9. Procedure for registration for the conference?
One must complete Google Doc for registration by providing all the required details. This link is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDvxiAJqtt3uVSuIZqzon8dEijSRSnL8f7a8vUXVD1QbrxFg/viewform
10. What is procedure for submission of Abstract Paper?
One was expected to complete the following Google Doc for submission Abstract. As last date for submission of abstract was 30th June, 2024, the window for submission of abstract has since been closed.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjDeNJgX014jc0Nd5VljJ3Wk9n2a2qz2yNJC0RqaxJ-SbPMQ
11. What is last date for availing benefit of Early Bird Registration?
The last date for this purpose has been extended till 30th September, 2024
12. Will the conference provide services of volunteers during the conference?
Yes, every participant who needs services of a volunteer shall be provided the same during the conference hours and other official events including reception dinner, award function etc.
13. Is there is need for accompanying person who travels with the participant but does not attend the conference?
No, in such cases, accompanying person is not required to complete registration formalities, hence not required to pay registration fee. However, the accompanying person who attends the conference is required to complete registration formalities and pay registration fee of US $ 200.
14. What is arrangement for pick up and drop of the participants?
All participants who are staying conference designated hotels or guest house shall be pricked up from the airport. Airport pick up shall be available from morning of 12th November to morning of 13th November. Similarly, airport drop facilities shall be available from evening of 16th November to morning of 18th November 2024
They shall be provided transport from the hotel to conference venue and the return journey. The Host Committee shall not be able to provide transport to the participant who do hotel booking on their own. All transport facilities shall be available by buses only.
15. What is the public transport system?
The best way to travel in Ahmedabad is by Uber and Ola cabs. These cabs are safe and reasonably priced. The waiting time is mostly 10 to 30 minutes depending upon the time of availing these services.
16. What are sight seeing opportunities?
There are lot of places of tourist interest around Ahmedabad and all over Gujarat and Rajasthan. The conference has availed services of renowned tour operator. All these details, tour packages and tariff details are available on website with the following link: https://icevi2024wc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Nav-Bharat-Tours-1.pdf
Most recommended places are Statue of Unity, Gandhi Ashram, Sasan Gir Forest, Somnath & Dwarka Temples and Akshar Dham.
17. What are facilities for Foreign Exchange?
While the airport is the best place for the exchange of foreign currency on arrival, the exchange facility shall be available in the hotels and at the conference venue. As all local purchases must be done in India Rupees, it is advisable to exchange foreign currency with Indian Rupees. Hotels shall be pleased to accept the payment in popular foreign currencies like US Dollars, Euro and British Pound.
18. Use of Credit or Debit Cards?
Yes, all the hotels accept payment through international debit and credit cards. For payment for taxis, local purchases and such other payment, Indian currency shall be only option.
19. What shall be weather like in Ahmedabad during conference days?
The weather in Ahmedabad in November is hot. The average temperatures are between 22°C and 34°C. You can expect a few rainy days in Ahmedabad during November, but usually the weather is comfortable in November.
20. Which are the airlines which fly directly to Ahmedabad?
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Airlines |
Destinations |
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Kuwait Airways |
Kuwait City |
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Malaysia Airlines |
Kuala Lumpur–International |
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Qatar Airways |
Doha |
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Singapore Airlines |
Singapore |
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Emirates Airlines |
Dubai |
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Air India |
London |
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Etihad |
Abu Dhabhi |
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Indigo |
Dubai |
21. What is official language of the conference:
The official language for all the sessions including inauguration and concluding is “English”. However, participants who require translation facility shall be provided headphones with the facility for auto translation into all major languages. This facility is being provided by “We Hear”. We shall upload technical details of these headphones which operate on internet shall be uploaded on website in the coming months.
We may plan one Special Concurrent Session for Spanish speaking people; another such session for French speaking people where the whole session will be conducted in these languages.
22. Will participants get printed material:
While this conference is green and every material is being uploaded on the website, a Book of Abstracts and Conference Schedule shall be printed in English and provided to all the participants at the time of registration.
23. Will participants get Braille and Audio material:
While complete material on the website is in accessible format, the participants shall be provided Book of Abstract and conference schedule in Braille as well as Audio format.
24. Is the conference venue accessible:
Yes, the stage of the main auditorium is fully accessible; there is special provision for accommodating 6 wheelchairs in the auditorium. Other 4 room for concurrent sessions are on the ground floor and the same are accessible. One conference room is on the first floor, but it has an accessible lift. The registration area, hall of poster sessions and dining hall are accessible. All rooms and all facilities in the conference venue shall have Braille stickers and appropriate signage.
25. Is there any dress code for the conference:
While there is not dress code for the conference, participants and officials are encouraged to attend the Reception Dinner in their traditional or formal clothes.
26. Will the drinking water and soft drinks provided during the conference be safe:
All participants shall be provided bottled water during all the sessions, all the meals and all the breaks. Mini bottles of drinking water shall be available at convenient locations. Only packed and branded soft drinks and ice-creams shall be served. Only freshly cooked, fresh and hot snacks and meals shall be served.
27. Will the participants have access to medical support:
One family physician and ambulance shall be available at the venue during the conference hours. The conference shall have a Medical Partner, a nearby multi-speciality hospital where participants shall be referred in case of any medical emergency.
28. Will participants get access to Wi-Fi:
All participants shall be provided access to Wi-Fi at the conference venue completely free of cost. All hotels where participants are staying have Wi-Fi facility. All 4G as well as 5G mobiles shall be able to connect to this Wi-Fi facility. Services of an IT team shall be available at the venue in case of issues related to web connectivity.
29. What is the arrangement for meals during the conference:
Breakfast: As all hotels which have been reserved for the participants are providing complimentary buffet breakfast, no breakfast shall be provided at the conference. The local participants who are coming directly to the conference may take complimentary breakfast at BAOU Guest House along with volunteers and conference officials.
Lunch: All participants, volunteers and conference officials shall be provided with lunch on all 3 days from 14 to 16 November at the venue of the conference. The ICEVI delegates shall be provided lunch at Blind People’s Association completely free of charge.
Morning and Afternoon Tea: All participants, volunteers and conference officials shall be provided with Morning tea/ coffee with snacks at 10.30 a.m. and Afternoon tea/coffee with snacks on all 3 days from 14 to 16 November at the venue of the conference. The ICEVI delegates shall be provided the same at Blind People’s Association completely free of charge.
Dinner: The Reception Dinner will be provided at the venue of the conference at 8 p.m. after a cultural program on complimentary basis.
Snack Boxes: All participants shall be provided with Snack Boxes for the evening of 14th and 16th November to enable them to have completely free times on the evenings of these dates.
30. System of tipping in India is customary and expected for service workers who earn low wages. Here are some general guidelines for tipping in India
Restaurants and bars: A tip of 10–15% of the bill is considered reasonable. You can round the bill to the next significant amount.
Taxi drivers: For longer journeys, tip 10%. For short journeys, round up the bill to the nearest significant amount.
Spas and salons: Budget around 10-15% of the treatment price.
Porters: Leave a small tip.
Bell boys: Leave R20–50 per bag.
Housekeeping: Tip around R100 per person/per night.
Street food stalls: No tipping required.
31. What to buy in Ahmedabad:
Bandhani sarees, Patola, Garbha dresses, and home decor are a few Ahmedabad things to buy on your visit to Ahmedabad. Some of this products made by people with disabilities shall be available at conference venue also. Kindly visit this webpage for more details on shopping attractions of Ahmedabad: https://wanderon.in/blogs/things-to-buy-in-ahmedabad
32. Hard Copies of Documents:
The participants of the conference who are travelling from aboard on ICEVI Conference Visa are requested to carry print (Hard) copies of Visa, 1st and last page of passport, conference brochure, invitation letter and political clearance letter issue of Ministry of External Affairs. Keep address of Hotel, address of venue and details of contact person with you. Sometimes Immigration Authorities may ask for print copies of these documents
33. Advice for Participants travelling on Visitors Visa:
All those participants who preferred to get Visitor’s Visa are required to carry hard copies of visa, 1st and last page of your passport, confirmation from hotel, address of hotel and name of person who signed the hotel confirmation letter. Just mention that you have come to Ahmedabad to visit places of visitors’ interest including Statue of Unity, Kutch Desert Festival, Adalaj Caves, Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati. Always carry a passport size extra photograph for convenience. The conferences papers are not relevant to participants travelling on Visitor’s Visa. All participants irrespective of nature of visa shall be provided from the SVP Ahmedabad Airport
34. Regional Meetings and AGM:
1. The Regional Meetings shall be conducted in various meeting rooms of Building No. 8 of the Blind People’s Association, 132 Ft Ring Road, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad. The google link of he venue is given below:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sg56Ma5aEuTdpNKP9
2. Our volunteers at Hotel Vivanta, Hotel Pragati, Hotel Pinnacle and Guest House shall organize transport of all the members from the hotels to Blind People’s Association at 9.m. LED Video projectors shall be available in all the meeting halls
3. We shall serve tea/coffee at 11.30 a.m. and then at 3.30 p.m. at the venue of the meetings
4. Lunch shall be served at the venue at 1 p.m.
5. The AGM of the ICEVI shall be held on 5th Floor of Building No. 8
6. All the members who are catching evening flights from Ahmedabad may kindly check out from the hotel in the morning and bring their bags along with them. Our vehicle shall drop all such participants at the airport after the conclusion of all meetings.
7. Members shall also have the option of visiting Vision in the Dark located in the same building after completing their meetings. Details of this innovative initiatives are available on Facebook: www.facebook.com/visioninthedark Other option shall be visiting Enable Mart located in Building No. 3
BPA team is looking forward to receiving you on 17th November, 2024 in its campus and with best wishes
35. Liquor Policy of Gujarat:
Gujarat is a dry state and the consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited. it is illegal to possess, transport, or consume alcohol in Gujarat. Thus participants are requested not to bring any liquor to Gujarat. However, you can apply for a liquor permit if you are a non-resident of Gujarat or a foreign national. This permit allows you to legally consume alcohol in Gujarat. To get liquor permit, Indian National from outside Gujarat are eligible to get “Visitors Permit”. They need to carry a proof that you are a resident of a city outside Gujarat. The documents required are Driving License / Aadhar Card or Voter Id and Hotel bill showing your tourist status. The Foreign National are eligible to get “Tourist Permit”. They need to carry passport, visa and boarding card as a proof. One needs to make application online and get OTP on mobile. Our team of volunteers will assist the participants in this respect. The website for seeking these permits is: https://eps.gujarat.gov.in/ We shall have a counter near the registration desk where our team will assist you in this regard.