Accessibility at SXSW

SXSW Accessibility Commitment Statement

Everyone is welcome at SXSW. We strive to make our conferences and festivals accessible to the largest number of people possible and are always looking at ways to remove barriers.

If you have accessibility requests or requirements that are not covered on this page, please contact accessibility@sxsw.com so we can work together to find an accommodation.

More accessibility information for our 2026 event will be available here as the event gets closer. If you have any questions, reach out to us at accessibility@sxsw.com.

To read the full page, feel free to skip past the links below. If you'd like to go directly to a specific section, use the links to skip to the information you're looking for.

Contact SXSW Accessibility

Email: accessibility@sxsw.com
Phone: 512-467-7979 (Call/Text)

Accommodation Request

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

Accessibility Accommodation Form

The deadline for submitting accommodation requests for SXSW 2026 is February 26, 2026. We will do our best to honor requests after the deadline, however, services cannot be guaranteed.

Accessibility Designation

An Accessibility Designated SXSW Badge will provide badgeholders access to reserved accessibility features such as designated seating.

To request Accessibility Designated be added to your SXSW badge, please email reg@sxsw.com. Though we can add this for attendees onsite, it makes the process much faster if it has already been added.

All registrants must pick up their own credentials by showing their government-issued photo ID at Registration.

Companion Wristband

SXSW doesn’t offer personal assistance like one-on-one interpreters, aides, or guides. If you’ll need to use this type of service during the event, you can request a Companion Wristband. This lets you bring the person of your choice to provide these services for you without them needing to buy their own badge.

The Companion Wristband only works when it's linked to a badge with Accessibility Designation, and it doesn’t give access to events without the person they are assisting. The name on the wristband must match the name of the badgeholder for it to be valid.

Companion Wristbands can be picked up at the Accessibility Help Desk inside of the Registration rooms. Both the badge holder and the companion must be present and have proper identification at the time of pick up.

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

Events with Added Accessibility Features

Finding Added Accessibility Features

Finding Added Accessibility Features: The SXSW schedule has filters to help attendees find the events that have added accessibility features.

Below, you'll find descriptions of each accessibility feature based on the type of event.

Note: Many events have multiple accessibility features.

Accessible Conference Sessions

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.

Accessible Film & TV Screenings

Closed Captioning (CC): Text display of dialogue and sound effects that can be turned on or off using a captioning device. Closed Captions are available for all Film & TV Screenings. We provide these devices at screenings on a first-come, first-served basis. While you can request a device on-site, we recommend filling out the Accessibility Accommodations Form in advance to ensure availability and a smoother experience.
Open Captioning (OC): Text display of dialogue and sound effects shown directly on the screen for all viewers.
Subtitles: Written translation of dialogue displayed on screen, typically used for films in languages other than English. Unlike captions, subtitles don't include sound effect descriptions or speaker identification.
Audio Description (AD): A separate audio track that describes visual elements of the film, including actions, characters, scene changes, and on-screen text, for blind and low-vision viewers. While you can request a device on-site, we recommend filling out the Accessibility Accommodations Form in advance to ensure availability and a smoother experience.
American Sign Language (ASL): Live ASL interpretation is provided for introductions, Q&As, and panel discussions at select screenings.
Captioned Q&A: Live captioning offered during introductions and post-film Q&As.

Accessible Music Showcases

American Sign Language (ASL): Live ASL interpretation/performance for audience.

Captioning & ASL Interpreting

ASL Interpreting

SXSW provides ASL Interpreters for all keynote sessions, select featured sessions, all community music showcases, all first Film & TV screenings at The Paramount and many additional events.

SXSW does not provide 1:1 ASL Interpreters to accompany individuals throughout the festival. If youwould like to bring your own interpreter, check out our Companion Wristband option above.

The deadline for requests for ASL interpreters is February 26, 2026 but we prefer them as soon as possible so we can assure the best quality. These can be submitted to accessibility@sxsw.com. If there are last minute requests for ASL interpreters, please contact accessibility@sxsw.com . Though we cannot guarantee our ability to add interpreters after the deadline, we would love to try.

Conference Captioning

We use a mixture of open and closed captioning throughout our conference sessions. Captions are added automatically to some sessions while others are added by request.

More information about SXSW 2026 Conference Captioning will be available Fall 2026.

Film & TV Captioning

At SXSW Film & TV screenings, closed captioning is accessed via closed captioning devices at each screening location. Screenings that provide Open Captioning will show the captioning on the screen without a device needed.

The type of captioning available for each screening will be listed in the schedule.

More information about SXSW 2026 Film & TV Captioning will be available Fall 2026.

Accessibility/ASL Entry & Seating

Conference Sessions

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

Film & TV Screenings

We recommend that those with Accessibility Designation who have a specific seating request use Accessibility priority entry so they are able to choose the seat that will work best for them upon entry. Doors open for priority entrance approximately one hour before and are held until approximately 45 minutes before the screening time.

Music/Comedy Performances

We recommend that those with Accessibility Designation who have specific seating needs arrive early so they can enter before the line. Though all performance venues use our Priority entry system, many performance venues have limited seating options.

Additional questions about Accessibility/ASL entry & seating can be directed to accessibility@sxsw.com.

Audio Description

Film Audio Description

Audio description will be available for select films. Audio Description equipment is limited and is first come first serve.

Contact accessibility@sxsw.com with any questions or concerns.

Accessible Housing

To request an accessible room online with SXSW Housing & Travel, choose your ideal hotel from our list of 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.

For assistance, contact housing@sxsw.com.

Service Animals

SXSW allows ADA-recognized service animals trained specifically to assist a person with disabilities at all events. Service animals are defined as dogs/mini horses 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 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 Information

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.

Sensory Rooms

Sensory Room locations and information can be found here closer to the event.

High Sensory Experience

Though SXSW itself is a high sensory experience, events across the festival we expect to have more sensory stimulation than attendees may anticipate are marked “High Sensory Experience” on our schedule. Examples of this are conference sessions that include an unexpected light show, performances or social events that tend to be crowded and loud by design, and busy film premieres that often have unexpected exciting entrances.

If you have questions or concerns about any events' content or sensory experience, contact [accessibility@sxsw.com](mailto:accessibility@sxsw.com.

Transportation and Parking

Transportation

Austin, in general, is accessible. Be aware that there are some places throughout the City that are historic, or dated and could pose challenges for some who have a disability. Please reach out to accessibility@sxsw.com for questions about specific establishments or areas.

Our advice to attendees is to utilize public transportation, rideshare, or taxi service when available. All public transportation methods have an accessible option.

Shuttle Services

SXSW provides a free registrant shuttle service serving the Austin Convention Center and several of our other venues. There is also a shuttle that has a mobility lift and travels the same route. This shuttle only stops at the official SXSW Shuttle stops but can be requested by those with Accessibility Designation on their badge. Once requested, the requester will be given an estimated wait time and the shuttle will come meet them.

Parking

Drivers who have a government-issued disabled hang tag or license plate may use street metered parking free of charge. Private parking lots and garages may have different rules and regulations. Attendees with Accessibility Designation may park near any of the SXSW Shuttle Stops and request the Accessibility Shuttle.

Mobility Devices

At SXSW, wheelchairs and 3- or 4-wheel electric scooters, walkers, canes, and crutches are allowed and are reasonably accommodated. Please know that SXSW does not provide push services for attendees. Attendees who require this service are encouraged to read about our Companion Wristband. 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.

Repair/Rental

While visiting SXSW, please feel free to call or visit the Accessibility Desk on the first floor of the Austin Convention Center for a list of local vendors that can assist with rentals or repairs. It is advised to make rental arrangements in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of equipment.

There is no equipment rental of any kind offered by SXSW. 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.

This page is regularly updated as more information becomes available.

Accessibility