A new era of accessibility in space at the IAC

ASDA's National Committee member Dwayne Fernandes, has contributed to the IAC Diversity & Inclusion Summary ahead of IAC Sydney 2025 (29 Sep–3 Oct), only the third time the Congress has been held in Australia. 

The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) has released its first-ever Accessibility Statement in it's 75 year history, ahead of the 2025 event in Sydney, marking a historic shift in how global space gatherings approach inclusion.

Dr Tim Parsons (SIAA Board), Zach Damon (AstroAccess) and Dwayne Fernandes (ASDA, IDEAs Services)

This milestone reflects a comprehensive commitment to accessibility across all aspects of the congress, including:

• Selection of ICC Sydney as the venue, offering step-free access, quiet and faith rooms, support animal access, and complimentary entry for accompanying accessibility aides;

• A registration process that invites attendees to share individual accessibility needs, with tailored support provided;

• Exhibitor guidelines encouraging accessible booth design, with all layouts reviewed by ICC and the professional conference organiser;

• AI-powered live captioning and translation via Sunflower.ai for major plenaries.

  
  

This achievement is the result of sustained advocacy and collaboration, including contributions from Australian accessibility leaders such as Dwayne Fernandes IDEAs Services, whose work helped embed accessibility into the planning and delivery of IAC Sydney 2025 alongside the International Astronautical Federation (conference organisers) with the Space Industry Association of Australia, (conference hosts). ASDA celebrates this landmark moment as a model for future space events, where accessibility is not an afterthought, but a foundation.

By communicating accessibility features in advance, IAC Sydney enables delegates, speakers and exhibitors to plan travel, arrange any assistance, and choose sessions that suit their needs, supporting fuller participation and more equitable engagement.

What the Summary highlights

• First Nations leadership: a host plenary and broader programming elevate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems alongside Western science, reflecting the IAF’s long-standing 3G focus (Geography, Generation, Gender).

• Accessibility by design*: ICC Sydney’s step-free access, quiet/faith rooms and companion-ticketing are complemented by guidance for accessible exhibits and live AI caption/translation for major plenaries.

• Generation (youth): the Space Generation Congress convenes students and young professionals in Sydney the week of IAC, amplifying early-career voices across the program. 

• Geography & gender: IAF’s IDEA Committee and 3G+/Diversity events advance international participation and gender equity across the Congress. 

Dwayne commented “A new era of accessibility in space gatherings: IAC’s explicit accessibility commitments: venue design, tailored support for individual needs, accessible booth guidance, and AI captions, make inclusion a foundation, not an afterthought.” 

And a special acknowledgement to Tim Parsons, SIAA Board Member from the ASDA National Committee. "Tim’s sustained advocacy has been pivotal in making this year’s IAC the most accessible on record."

To inspire more of the disability community, aspiring Deaf Astronaut and AstroAccess Ambassador, Sheila Xu, will be on site with two professional ASL interpreters to enable genuine two-way conversations, with support from IDEAs Services and Minerva Medical Group.

ASDA celebrates this step and will keep working with partners to embed measurable inclusion across programs, exhibits and plenaries, so Sydney sets a durable benchmark for future IACs.

See you at IAC Sydney

Come connect with ASDA and allies throughout the week. Two of our team will be presenting the work we do at ASDA during the week:

Dr Sheila Gough Kenyon: Space for All: Promoting Inclusive Practices in Space Exploration. Session: E1.2. Tuesday 30th September at 10:15 -12:45pm in Room C4.3

Dwayne Fernandes with be presenting with Sheyna Gifford: The sky's no limit: The disability community's boundless contributions to spaceflight. Session: E1.2. Tuesday 30th September at 10:15 -12:45pm in Room C4.3

Keira Chrystal: Breaking barriers: Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Australian space workforce Tuesday 30th September, Interactive Poster Presentation at 1:35-1.45pm, Screen 51.

*Dwaynes contribution to Accessibility