GAS is committed to making sure our conference and events are as accessible as possible to all attendees. This guide details everything you will need to know about Berlin and about our conference locations in particular. Let us know what accessibility offerings you’ll be using in Berlin by filling out this form. For any accessibility questions about the conference, please email Jennifer at [email protected].
Accessibility information for Closing Night Party and Bard College coming soon!
GENERAL
Berlin was named a “Barrier free City” by the EU Commission in 2013. The city has a robust accessibility guide that has information on accessible transportation around Berlin and what to do if your mobility aid breaks in Berlin.
There are elevators at every metro station in Berlin, though they sometimes are off the beaten path. In Berlin, the sidewalks are generally wide and fairly even, but the bike paths are often on the same level as the sidewalks. You will encounter a couple of different pavement types in Berlin, including some cobblestones and pavers.
This year, GAS will have a mobile app for the conference that will include recommendations of things to do, accessibility information, conference venue information, and the conference program. The app will be available on Apple and Android devices sometime in April.
TRANSPORTATION
For complete transportation information, visit our Travel + Accommodations page.
From the airport: Berlin Brandenburg Airport has a section on its website about navigating the airport.
Metro:
Here are station maps for the main metro stations near GAS Conference venues. These maps include locations for elevators in every metro station.
Accessibility Shuttle: GAS will provide a wheelchair-accessible shuttle free of charge for people with accessibility needs. The shuttle will run at the following times:
Wednesday, May 15 8:30 am–10 pm
Thursday, May 16th 9 am–9 pm
Friday, May 17th 9 am–6:30 pm
Saturday, May 18th 9 am–6 pm and 7 pm–1 am
LODGING
Park Inn Alexanderplatz:
Our official conference hotel is listed in the Berlin Accessibility Guide as an accessible hotel! To book a wheelchair-accessible room with the GAS rate, please email [email protected]. The Park Inn is 200m from the Alexanderplatz Bahnhof with service to both conference hubs. One transfer is required between Alexanderplatz and the conference hubs.
Nena Hostel:
Our low-cost accommodations option has a limited number of wheelchair-accessible rooms. To book, please email [email protected] with the subject “Allotment Glassart.” Nena Hostel is 800m away from the Monopol/Berlin Glas Conference Hub and 1km from the Schönholz Station with service to the Wilhelm Hallen Conference Hub.
CONFERENCE VENUES
All conference venues will have signage that includes the GAS Berlin logo, and sans serif fonts for readability for people with dyslexia. Check out this folder with more images from our conference venues. At each venue for official programs (ie, demos, lectures, panels and lecmos), signs will designate a section of seats in the front row reserved for attendees with visual and/or hearing impairments. A wheelchair seating area will also be designated and reserved at each program location.
Address: Kopenhagener Str. 60-72, 13407 Berlin, Germany
Terrain: The walkways around Wilhelm Hallen are made up of pavers. Wilhelm Hallen Hall C, our conference area, has a concrete floor with some areas that may present a trip hazard.
Transportation instructions
From the conference hotel, head to Alexanderplatz station.
Option 1: Take the U8 four stops to Gesundbrunnen. Transfer to the S1 or S26. Ride four stops and exit at Wilhelmsruh. From the station exit on Lengeder Strasse, make a right to head south on Kopenhager Strasse and walk 180 meters to Wilhelm Hallen’s entrance. Follow GAS signage to Hall C.
Option 2: Take the S3, S5, S7 or S9 two stops to Friedrichstrasse. Transfer to the S1 or S26. Ride eight stops and exit at Wilhelmsruh. From the station exit on Lengeder Strasse, make a right to head south on Kopenhager Strasse and walk 180 meters to Wilhelm Hallen’s entrance. Follow GAS signage to Hall C.
Activities taking place here:
- Registration
- GAS Market
- Conference Kick-Off
- Exhibitions
- Film Festival
- Green Pavilion
Accessible restrooms: Hall C has a wheelchair-accessible restroom on the ground floor centrally located to conference activities. Additional portable toilets will be available near the beer tent area.
Elevators: All conference programs will take place on the ground floor with no steps or stairs within the Wilhelm Hallen Hall C complex.
Address: Provinzstraße 40-44, 13409 Berlin, Germany
Terrain: The walkways around Monopol are made up of brick and pavers (see image).
Transportation instructions
From the conference hotel, head to Alexanderplatz station.
Option 1: Take the U8 four stops to Gesundbrunnen. Transfer to the S1, S25 or S26. Ride three stops and exit at Schönholz. Head south on Provinzstraße and walk 700 m to the Monopol entrance, just past Granatenstrasse. Follow GAS signage to program areas.
Option 2: Take the S3, S5, S7 or S9 two stops to Friedrichstrasse. Transfer to the S1, S25 or S26. Ride seven stops and exit at Schönholz. Head south on Provinzstraße and walk 700 m to the Monopol Entrance, just past Granatenstrasse. Follow GAS signage to program areas.
Activities taking place here:
- Flame and Neon Demonstrations
- Lecmos
- Glass On the Go Rodeo
Accessible restrooms: Wheelchair-accessible portable toilets will be provided near Berlin Glas.
Elevators: All official conference programs are on the ground floor.
Address: Provinzstraße 42a, 13409 Berlin, Germany
Transportation instructions
Activities taking place here:
- Hot Glass Demonstrations
Accessible restrooms: Wheelchair-accessible portable toilets will be provided near Berlin Glas.
Elevators: All conference programs will take place on the ground floor.
Other accessibility info: Berlin Glas is home to three cats and a dog
Address: Provinzstraße 40-44, 13409 Berlin, Germany
Terrain: The walkways around Bard College Berlin are made up of brick and pavers (see image).
Transportation instructions
From the conference hotel, head to Alexanderplatz station.
Option 1: Take the U8 four stops to Gesundbrunnen. Transfer to the S1, S25 or S26. Ride three stops and exit at Schönholz. Head south on Provinzstraße and walk 700 m to the Monopol entrance, just past Granatenstrasse. Follow GAS signage to program areas.
Option 2: Take the S3, S5, S7 or S9 two stops to Friedrichstrasse. Transfer to the S1, S25 or S26. Ride seven stops and exit at Schönholz. Head south on Provinzstraße and walk 700 m to the Monopol Entrance, just past Granatenstrasse. Follow GAS signage to program areas.
Activities taking place here:
- Flame and Neon Demonstrations
Accessible restrooms: Wheelchair-accessible portable toilets will be provided near Berlin Glas, less than 100m from Bard College Berlin.
Elevators: All official conference programs are on the ground floor.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Closing Night Party:
Accessibility information for the Closing Night Party coming soon!
DAY TRIPS
Tuesday, May 14th 7 am to 6 pm
Pickup: Radisson Park Inn Alexanderplatz at 7 am, return at 6 pm. Please note: This tour includes a 3-hour bus ride each way from Berlin to Reichenbach and returning.
For the very first time, Reichenbach Glass is welcoming you to step inside their historic factory nestled in a picturesque town. With over 150 years of expertise in crafting exquisite colored glass, this is your chance to witness the magic unfold. Join us as we journey through every step of the glassmaking process, from the raw materials to the final product. Gain a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into creating your favorite glass products. A hearty German lunch will be included along with your factory tour.
Please note: This opportunity, generously sponsored by Reichenbach in partnership with Olympic Color Rods, is available exclusively to GAS Members!
Accessibility Notes: Reichenbach will have fully accessible locations on the tour.
Wednesday, May 15th from 10 am to 2 pm
Pickup: From Conference Hotel, Park Inn by Radisson Alexanderplatz
Berlin Big Bus will take guests on a 4-hour comprehensive tour of all Berlin’s greatest attractions! Stops will include Museum Island, the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie, and the East Side Gallery.
Accessibility Notes: Berlin Big Bus is wheelchair-accessible for first-floor seating. Open top seating on the second level of the bus is not wheelchair accessible. Most sites in Berlin are wheelchair accessible but there may be occasional pavers or steps to navigate during parts of the tour.
Details: Join your GAS friends on an overnight adventure to one of Germany’s historic glass hideaways! For over 400 years, this tiny town has been creating astonishing works in glass, with a more profound influence on the world glass scene than its diminutive size would suggest. You’ll spend time enjoying demos at the home studios of local artists, have a guided tour of Farbglashütte Lauscha, be inspired by the works on display at the world-class Museum für Glas Kunst, and have the opportunity to create your own mold blown hand-silvered ornament. Hotel, breakfast, lunches, dinner and admission to all venues and activities are included. Trip organized by Marcie Davis. Contact [email protected] for details.
Please note: Lauscha is a small town in southeastern Germany with many steps. Many venues in Lauscha are NOT accessible.Those who are interested in Lauscha’s glassy traditions but are unable to join this trip can explore the following resources about the town and its flameworking tradition:
- Museum für Glaskunst Lauscha
- A Moment in Thuringia by Fred Birkhill, a PDF detailing explorations in Lauscha
- Making glass eyes in Lauscha, video by Marcie Davis
- Montage technique in Lauscha, video by Marcie Davis
- Traditional Mold Blown Ornaments, a blog post by Eric Goldschmidt at the Corning Museum of Glass that focuses on the tradition of Christmas ornaments in Lauscha
- Behind the Glass: Lauscha Ornaments, a lecture and demo from the Corning Museum of Glass featuring Regan Brumagen, Kelly Conway, Marcie Davis, and Eric Goldschmidt.