Accessibility

ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

We at Flow Festival have consulted the accessibility expert firm Riesa Consultative, to improve the accessibility of the event according to the company’s guidelines. Additionally, we strive to promote the overall accessibility of the event by paying special attention to safety and equality. Below you will find some general information regarding the accessibility of the festival. If you need any further information on the subject, please feel free to email office@flowfestival.com.

ACCESSIBILITY OF THE FESTIVAL AREA

Flow Festival takes place in Suvilahti, Helsinki. The area is mostly paved and provides a flat and solid walking environment. However, there are also elevated platforms and gravel areas, which Flow’s production team has levelled as much as possible. The entire festival area is designed to be accessible for anyone using a wheelchair or other mobility aids, providing access to all performance venues and restaurant areas.

The terrain in front of the Black Tent stage is partly rocky sand, making the area partially inaccessible. The food sales area in the Black Tent has gravel, which makes it partially inaccessible, but other food sales areas are accessible. Each food sales area is furnished in a way that allows moving chairs aside from the tables.

Main Stage, Silver Arena, and the Black Tent have separate accessible viewing platforms. All viewing platforms measure 6 m x 4 m with a height of 60 cm. The viewing platforms also have seats available.

All individuals who need it are welcome to use the viewing platforms, and the assumption is not, for example, the use of assistive devices. The viewing platforms are also intended to improve the experience for, for instance, visually impaired attendees.

Assistants and companions of disabled individuals are generally welcome to the viewing platforms, as we do not want to isolate disabled individuals from their companions. However, if the viewing platforms reach full capacity, it is reasonable to ask companions to stand on the ground next to the platform so that as many who genuinely need it can fit on the platform.

There is an accessible route to the Gold Area through the Resident Advisor Front Yard. Security personnel are available to assist with accessing it upon request. The Gold Area also has an accessible restroom and all services on the premises are accessible. Unfortunately, the Gold Area is not entirely accessible as it is mostly a gently sloping grassy area with uneven terrain.

All accessible routes and services are marked with an accessibility symbol:

The festival area is furnished spaciously, allowing access to furniture with assistive devices. There are seating areas at regular intervals for resting. The pathways are smooth and solid, regardless of weather conditions. Thresholds and clear level differences are marked with contrast or painted, or they have ramps.

ASSISTANTS, INTERPRETERS, GUIDES AND ASSISTANCE DOGS

People using assistive devices or requiring assistance should purchase a regular ticket to the event. An assistant accompanying an attendee always has free admission. The assistant does not need a separate wristband or ticket. We do not require a card or proof of disability. However, presenting the EU disability card can facilitate the process at the entrance if the disability is not visible. The assistant policy also applies to interpreters. Assistant and guide dogs are welcome at the event, and water can be obtained for them from the festival’s water points, which are indicated on the site map.

ARRIVAL

The Flow Festival site is located in Suvilahti, near the centre of Helsinki. The street address of the area is Parrukatu, 00540 Helsinki. The festival site is accessible by public transportation.

The nearest public transport stops and stations are:
Metro – Sörnäinen and Kalasatama
Bus – Suvilahti and Sörnäinen (M)
Tram – Sörnäinen (M), Lintulahti, Helsinginkatu, and Kaarlenkatu

The festival area is within HSL’s AB zone. Please note that you cannot purchase an HSL ticket for the A zone only; you will need either an AB, ABC, or ABCD ticket to travel to the festival by public transport. Read more about the zones here: https://www.hsl.fi/en/tickets-and-fares/hsl-area-and-zones

For more information on ticket prices and purchasing, visit: https://www.hsl.fi/en/tickets-and-fares

For detailed information on public transportation and routes from your starting point to Suvilahti, visit Reittiopas at https://reittiopas.hsl.fi/etusivu?locale=en

For more information about the accessibility of public transportation, please visit https://www.hsl.fi/en/travelling/accessibility

Unfortunately, there is no parking available near the event area. However, you can order a wheelchair-accessible taxi to the drop-off point, which is located near the Flow information point at the intersection of Parrukuja and Hanasaarenkatu. Please note that the drop-off point is not a regular taxi stand, but wheelchair-accessible taxis can be ordered there. Wheelchair-accessible taxis can arrive via Hanasaarenkatu, where the security personnel will guide the cars. Festival guests using a wheelchair-accessible taxi can enter and exit the drop-off point through the service gate and access the festival area.

There is a level and marked accessible lane at the main gate of the festival area. This lane is located on the left, next to the express lane.

ACCESSIBLE WRISTBAND EXCHANGE

At the wristband exchange point in Suvilahti, a separate lowered service counter is marked with an accessibility symbol. The area on this lane is solid and level. The width of the lane is one (1) metre. There is also an accessible service counter at the wristband exchange point in Helsinki city centre.

HEARING ENVIRONMENT

Unfortunately, Flow Festival is not accessible for people with hearing impairments as there is no induction loop available at the event.

ACCESSIBLE TOILETS

All WC areas on the premises have accessible portable toilets. Accessible toilets are placed conveniently at the beginning of each WC area. Close to the Main Stage accessible viewing platform, an accessible WC is arranged behind a fence, and the gate security personnel will grant access upon request. A similar arrangement has been made near the Black Tent viewing platform. Next to the Silver Arena viewing platform, there is a public WC area with accessible toilets. The Other Sound x Sun Effects venue and the Peloton restaurant have indoor accessible WCs.

Flow Festival utilises a “Vessapassi” (Toilet Pass) system. Holders of the Vessapassi have the right to access accessible toilets or public toilets without queuing. The purpose of the Vessapassi is to facilitate the festival experience for people with, for example, gastrointestinal conditions. Please consider the holders of the Vessapassi when using the toilet facilities at Flow Festival!

EQUALITY

Flow Festival is committed to equality, justice, and inclusivity. Everyone is welcome to the festival as themselves, and we do not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination on the premises. We expect all staff, partners, and subcontractors to adhere to the same values. If you experience or witness any harassment or discrimination, please report it immediately to the nearest security personnel or information desk. You can recognise the security personnel by their yellow and orange safety vests.

EQUALITY AND HARASSMENT CONTACT PERSON

Flow Festival has an impartial equality and harassment contact person. Flow Festival provides the services of the harassment contact person for possible harassment situations, and the service is intended for all festival guests, employees, volunteers, and performers.

The harassment contact person at Flow Festival is a healthcare professional whose role is to act as an impartial supporter for anyone who has experienced any form of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or inappropriate treatment. Harassment situations are primarily addressed through solution-oriented approaches, and if necessary, individuals may be directed to seek appropriate assistance. The harassment contact person can also assist in resolving situations together with other festival staff in a multidisciplinary manner. The harassment contact person is bound by confidentiality.

The goal of having a harassment contact person is to make Flow Festival as safe as possible for all parties involved and to promote equality. Physical and mental integrity is everyone’s right, and at Flow, one should be able to feel safe without fear of any kind of discrimination, harassment, sexual or verbal assault, or any other inappropriate treatment or behaviour.

SAFETY

Flow is known as a safe festival, but we are aware of the challenges related to the safety of a large public event. Together with the festival audience, subcontractors, and other stakeholders, we aim to create an event where everyone can participate safely and feel comfortable. The security and crowd control at the area are managed by Securitas Oy.

HEALTH SAFETY

We pay special attention to the health and safety of our customers and staff at the festival. We are committed to following the current guidelines and instructions provided by the authorities and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). There are several handwashing stations throughout the festival area, equipped with soap and hand sanitisers. The staff and restaurants have been instructed to follow common safety and hygiene guidelines. Please only attend Flow Festival if you are in good health.

ACCESS ROUTES AND POTENTIAL EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

The access routes within the festival area are open and spacious. We make sure that there are no bottlenecks. We closely monitor the situation with the security personnel and make necessary adjustments to the area and practices. We are prepared for various potential emergency situations and provide information to the audience through screens, stage announcements, the Flow mobile application, and social media channels. If you notice any safety deficiencies at Flow, please report them promptly to the nearest security personnel or send an email to office@flowfestival.com.

QUESTIONS, OTHER ISSUES, AND FIRST AID

For questions regarding safety on the festival site and other issues, such as experiencing or witnessing distressing or inappropriate behaviour, you can turn to the nearest security personnel. The security personnel wearing yellow vests can assist you with any safety-related questions or other issues on the festival site. If necessary, you can also visit the first aid station located on the right side of the Main Stage. The first aid workers from the Finnish Red Cross are trained to respond to various situations and can also provide psychological first aid if needed. In addition, Finnish Red Cross’ first aid and preventive substance abuse workers are present throughout the area, identifiable by their red attire. Flow’s information volunteers, wearing light pink info vests, are also available to assist you with any questions regarding the festival and accessibility. They also distribute earplugs.

If you need more information about Flow’s accessibility and inclusivity, you can send an email to office@flowfestival.com.

Welcome to Flow!