Accessibility

Swing in Bloom is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and equitable experience for everyone in our dance community.

Our commitment to accessibility is an evolving and ongoing process, as we are actively growing and learning alongside our community. We value your feedback in helping us identify and reduce barriers, so we can make Swing in Bloom as accessible and inclusive as it can be.

If you have any questions or feedback, we welcome you to connect with us in one of the following ways:

To read our full Customer Service Accessibility Policy please click here. 

If you require written information or other forms of communication in a different format, please contact accessibility@swinginbloom.ca

Accessibility Features at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel

  • Accessible on-site parking

  • Step-free access for the main entrance and entrances to meeting spaces, on-site pool, on-site business centre, on-site fitness centre, on-site restaurants, rooms, and suites

  • The property has elevators

  • Service animals are welcome in all public areas at Swing in Bloom in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

  • Accessible room types available

  • For more information about the physical features of the Marriott Hotel accessible rooms, common areas or special services relating to a specific disability, call +1 613-238-1122

Lighting and Flash Photography

  • The ballrooms have LED overhead lighting, which will be in use during daytime workshops, competitions, and social dancing

  • At night time social dances on Friday and Saturday (after awards), there will be a combination of coloured uplighting around the perimeter of the room, and dimmed overhead lighting

  • There will be no flashing, moving, or patterned lighting

  • Photographers may use flash photography during daytime (before awards) competitions, workshops, and shows. Photographers use a low flash setting (1/256 power) and bounce the flash off the ceiling.

  • Use of flash photography during social dance times will be restricted to:

    • Thursday: 10 minutes at 7:30pm, and another 10 minutes at 9:30pm.

    • Friday: social dance breaks during shows

    • Saturday: Social dance breaks during shows and Flower Power Hour.

    • There will be no flash photography during night time social dances Friday and Saturday (after awards).

  • All TVs at the 3 Brasseurs venue for the opening and closing night social dances will be turned off in the social dance area.

Support Persons / Companion Attendants

If you need a pass for a personal support worker (PSW) or your companion attendant to accompany you to the event, we may offer complimentary or discounted passes on a case-by-case basis. To find out more, email accessibility@swinginbloom.ca. Note: your PSW or companion attendant will be responsible for arranging and covering their own travel and accommodation costs, and for contacting the Ottawa Marriott directly regarding room bookings or related arrangements.

Wellness Lounge

A dedicated wellness lounge coordinated by Westie Underground is available for all Swing in Bloom attendees to access, featuring resources to rest, recover, and care for your physical and mental health throughout the weekend, including yoga mats, muscle rollers, and other equipment. The wellness lounge can be located on the 3rd floor just outside the mezzanine.

Washrooms, menstrual products, and face masks

  • Public washrooms are gendered in the Marriott Hotel.

  • Menstrual products and KN95 masks will be provided in all four bathrooms around the dance area, as well as floss, mints, bobby pins, and hair elastics.