Travelling to Berlin for the Civil Society Forum and Global Disability Summit 2025? Here’s what you need to know:
Location
STATION Berlin, Luckenwalder Strasse 4-6, 10963 Berlin
To find your way around the GDS event location STATION Berlin, Luckenwalder Straße 4 – 6, 10963 Berlin, we hvave prepared a floor plan and audio guide.
You can download the audio guide below:
German: Dateien – NICOLAI Produktion
English: Dateien – NICOLAI Produktion
Getting to GDS 2025 with Deutsche Bahn
Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements. To support sustainable travel, public transportation is encouraged.
Pre-Accreditation at Berlin Airport Terminal 1
Berlin Brandenburg Welcome Center on Arrival Level E0, near Arrival 1 (Exit)
March 31 | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
April 1 | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Pre-Accreditation at the Station:
March 31 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (CSF & GDS)
April 1 | 07:30 AM – 17:30 PM (GDS)
Free public transport is available for GDS/CSF attendees from March 31 to April 4, 2025. Show your GDS name badge or online ticket (sent one week before the event) for access to buses, trams, U-Bahn (metro), and S-Bahn (urban train). If you don’t receive your ticket, contact support@gds-registration.org or visit the help desk at the event entrance.
Transportation Options
Berlin has an extensive public transportation network.
Metro (U-Bahn): Take U1 or U2 to Gleisdreieck station (short walk) or U1/U2 to Möckernbrücke station (6-minute walk).
Urban Train (S-Bahn): Take S1, S2, S25, or S26 to Anhalter Bahnhof station (8-minute walk).
Bus: Bus 248 stops at Möckernstraße, and buses M41 and M29 stop at Anhalter Bahnhof (8-minute walk).
Bicycle: Bike parking is available near the venue.
Car: Parking is available at Gleisdreieck Car Park on Schöneberger Ufer, open 24/7 (€2 per hour, max. €20 per day).
Train (Long-Distance or Regional): Arrive at Südkreuz or Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) and transfer via local transport.
Accessibility & Inclusion
At the Global Disability Summit 2025, we are committed to creating an inclusive, barrier-free, and welcoming environment for all attendees. To ensure everyone has a comfortable and enjoyable experience, we have implemented several accessibility measures.
On-Site Accessibility & Support
We have taken several steps to make the venue as physically and informationally accessible as possible:
Mobility-Friendly Features: Wide, low-gradient ramps, handrails on stairs, elimination of tripping hazards, and inclusive furniture.
Guidance & Signage: Large, easy-to-read signs with simple symbols and pictograms on the floor to assist with navigation.
Support Staff: Trained volunteers available throughout the venue, easily recognizable by their white hoodies with the GDS logo. Fixed meeting points and info counters will help you locate assistance.
Quiet Spaces: Areas for relaxation and separation from crowds will be available at Hall 4.1 and 8 (Quiet Rooms) and Hall 8 (Networking Area).
Provide outdoor areas for assistant dogs.
Health, Safety & Hygiene
We are prioritizing your health and comfort with the following measures:
Accessible Sanitary Facilities: Ample accessible restrooms with regular cleaning schedules.
Hygiene & Safety: Hand sanitizing stations and masks available at no cost.
Emergency Support: Paramedics or a First Aid Team and an ambulance will permanently be on-site to assist in case of emergencies. In addition, the location’s first-aid room has a refrigerator for storing heat-sensitive medication. Medical station can be found at Hall 2.
Evacuation: In the event of an evacuation, all participants in the entire location are informed of the evacuation by means of audible and visual signals. The necessary aids and helpers are available on all non-barrier-free rescue trolleys.
Food & Beverage Accessibility
All catering at GDS 2025 is vegetarian and vegan and provided free of charge throughout the day. Our support staff is available to:
Assist with food selection and carrying meals to tables.
Help with drinks (e.g., carrying a full coffee cup).
Getting to GDS: Mobility & Transport
Accessible travel information will be shared via email before the event, including alternative parking options and mobility assistance.
Induction Loops for Better Sound Clarity
Portable induction loops will be available at info counters and can be used for all sessions, including the main program, side events, and Fireside Chats. Participants borrowing induction loop headsets will need to provide an ID.
Language & Communication Accessibility
Event Languages
Main event language: English
GDS Main Program: Available in English, German, and Arabic
Side Events & Fireside Chats: Conducted in English
Live Accessibility Services for Sessions
To ensure that all attendees can engage with the sessions, we are providing:
Closed Captioning (CC): Real-time text display of spoken content in the available languages.
Sign Language Interpretation: Professional interpreters will be available for key sessions; for networking opportunities and during catering breaks on availability.
Easy Language Interpretation: Simplified versions of complex discussions will be provided for better understanding.
Audio Description: Descriptive narration of visual elements for participants with visual impairments.
For Fireside Chats, English Closed Captioning and International Sign Interpretation will be possible upon availability.
Inclusive Language & Accessible Presentations
All moderators and speakers will receive a Guideline for Inclusive Language to help avoid ableist or exclusionary terms.
Speakers will also be provided with instructions and templates for creating accessible presentations to ensure clarity and ease of understanding.
Digital Access & Translation Tools
All essential event materials will be available through a dedicated GDS event app, which offers:
Full event agenda
Session navigation & accessibility features
Networking tools
Interpreter App:
Allows participants to choose their preferred language and accessibility settings for live sessions.
Please bring your own device (smartphone, tablet, laptop) including earphones or headphones, preferably with cable connection.
Traditional headphones or receivers will be not provided. Participants can use their own devices or rent one for free at info counters (Picture ID required).
To ensure a smooth experience, attendees are encouraged to download the required apps before GDS 2025.
Print Materials for Accessibility
While we encourage digital access, we understand that some participants prefer or require printed materials. Upon request, we will provide:
Large-print versions of the program and floor plan
Braille copies for visually impaired attendees
Our goal is to ensure that every voice is heard, and every attendee can fully participate in the discussions at GDS 2025. If you have additional language or communication requests, please let us know in advance so we can provide the best possible support!
Livestreaming
Plenary Stage Sessions (Main Program of GDS and the CSF) will be livestreamed for online viewers.
Side Events & Fireside Chats will be on-site only (not livestreamed).
Remote Support: If online streamers have issues navigating the platform, a hotline-email support will be available at livestream-helpdesk@gds-registration.org.
Livestream link for the CSF:
https://gds2025.globaldisabilitysummit.org/components/51204/4f6Hz6U5Zqte
Livestream link for the GDS:
https://gds2025.globaldisabilitysummit.org/components/51204/4f6Hz6U5Zqte
Information About Children and Family
In the venue a nursed childcare room with toys etc. is available for children from the age of 6 years.
Awareness Team
At GDS 2025, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all participants. Once again, a Volunteer and an Awareness Team will be present throughout the event to offer assistance, listen to concerns, and ensure that everyone feels comfortable and respected.
How to Reach Us:
By Phone – Our team is available from 1-4 April to provide immediate support at +49 176 70791179.
By Email – Reach out to us at awareness@gds-registration.org for any concerns.
At the Awareness Counter – Visit us on-site Hall 4.1 if you need assistance or just a supportive space.
We encourage all attendees to be mindful and speak up if something doesn’t feel right. Whether you need someone to talk to, require assistance, or notice an issue, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can also approach any GDS crew member at any time—they are here to help!
Responsible Consumption & Youth Protection
At GDS 2025, we strive to create a safe, inclusive, and family-friendly environment for all attendees. To ensure this, we ask that participants follow these guidelines regarding alcohol and tobacco use:
Smoking, vaping, and consuming alcohol or cannabis is not permitted in areas where younger visitors are present.
If needed, security staff may politely remind participants to relocate to designated areas to maintain a comfortable atmosphere for everyone.
We appreciate your awareness and cooperation in making GDS an enjoyable and welcoming experience for all!
Code of Conduct
Read the code of conduct here.
Celebrating Eid in Berlin?
For our Muslim friends attending the GDS, we are grateful that you chose to celebrate the auspicious day with us! If you are looking for information on where to observe the Eid prayers, you can find a list of mosques where the Eid prayer will take place: https://berliner-moscheen.de/moscheen/
Prayer Time: 7 A.M.
Mosques closest to the venue:
| Mosque Name | Address | Distance from venue | Public Transport | Community |
| Şehitlik-Mosque | Columbiadamm 128, 10965 Berlin | ~3.8KM | Bus M41 to “Columbiadamm/Tempelhofer Feld” (20 min) or U6/U7 to “Platz der Luftbrücke”/ “Südstern” | Turkish and German |
| Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Mosque | Wiener Str. 1-6, 10999 Berlin (Kreuzberg) | ~3.6KM | U2 –>U1/U3 to “Görlitzer Bahnhof” (15-20min); Bus M29 also connects to area | English, Arabic, Turkish, German, multilingual |
