Accessibility at SUI 2019

SUI 2019 is committed to providing an inclusive environment, and we will do our best to accommodate requests for special assistance. This page describes the accessibility features of SUI 2019, to help you make an informed decision about whether the conference will be accessible to you. Please contact Jason Woodworth and Scott McDermott accessibility@sui.acm.org if your question is not answered here, or if the conference arrangements as described are not enough to allow you to attend. We will work with you, to the best of our ability, to make the conference accessible.

Contents

• How do I communicate accessibility needs to SUI 2019 organizers?
• Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?
• Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?
• What are the taxi and public transport options for getting to the conference venue?
• Who can I ask about accessibility in New Orleans, LA?
• Can a student volunteer assist me during the conference?
• What is the conference space like?
• Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?
• What are the restroom facilities like?
• What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?
• Can I bring my guide dog?
• Can I attend the conference by robot?
• How much walking or standing will be needed?
• Will there be an induction loop in the meeting rooms?
• Will speakers and audience members asking questions be using a microphone?
• What food service will be provided?
• Can the conference accommodate special dietary needs?
• Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?
• Will there be loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, or other strong sensory experiences?
• Will there be a designated quiet space at the conference?
• What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during the conference?

How do I communicate accessibility needs to SUI 2019 organizers?

The Accessibility Chairs for SUI 2019 are Jason Woodworth and Scott McDermott, whose goal is to ensure the conference is accessible to everyone. When you register for the conference, there will be a registration question labeled "Do you have a disability or special need which requires our awareness?". In your response, please indicate any accessibility needs such as wheelchair access, sign language interpretation, or a guide. The Accessibility Chairs will follow up with you to clarify your needs. You can contact them directly at any time by emailing accessibility@sui.acm.org.

Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?

More information about accessibility at Hilton New Orleans St. Charles Avenue Hotel is available on their accessibility information page.

Please contact Staci Worthman (Guest Experience Manager) by telephone 504-378-2814 or email worthman.staci@hilton.com to discuss your specific needs with the venue directly.

If there is specific accessibility information you would like to see here, or if you wish to discuss any conference accessibility requirements, please contact our Accessibility Chairs, Jason Woodworth and Scott McDermott by email: accessibility@sui.acm.org, and someone will respond to you shortly.

Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?

Please make any requests for sign language interpreters or captioners with accessibility@sui.acm.org during the early registration period. Our Accessibility Chairs will follow up with you to discuss your needs in more detail. After the deadline for early registration (estimated for mid-September), a best effort will be made to accommodate requests.

What are the taxi and public transport options for getting to the conference venue?

From Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, the easiest way to get to the Hilton New Orleans St. Charles Avenue Hotel is Taxicab, Airport Shuttle, and Bus transportation. More information can be found at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport: Ground Transportation

Taxicab

• Route: From New Orleans Airport Terminal Departures to Hitlon St. Charles
• Pickup point: First level of the Terminal outside of Baggage Claim Belts 1 and 14.
• Cost: $36 ($15 per person for 3 or more passengers)
• Time: 30 minutes
• Wheelchair accessibility: Passengers should contact vendors to ensure wheelchair accessibility.
• Walking and steps: Walking distance is minimal. Taxis will drop off passengers at the main entrance to the hotel. Presence of steps unknown.
• Service animals: Please check directly with the vendor.
• Book: Booking is not needed for the taxicabs.

Airport Shuttle

• Route: From New Orleans Airport Terminal Departures to Hitlon St. Charles
• Pickup point: Bus transportation is located at the Airport Terminal Departures.
• Cost: $24.00 (per person, one-way) or $44.00 (per person, round-trip)
• Time: 60 minutes
• Wheelchair accessibility: Those needing Wheelchair-Accessible Service should call 1-866-596-2699 for assistance or request a Wheelchair-Accessible shuttle on the Airport Shuttle Website.
• Walking and steps: Walking distance is minimal. Airport shuttles will drop off passengers at the main entrance to the hotel. Presence of steps unknown.
• Service animals: Please check directly with the vendor
• Phone: 1-866-596-2699
• Book: Booking is not needed for the airport shuttle. Passengers can purchase tickets at the airport at Airport Shuttle ticket booths located on the first level throughout the Baggage Claim area. Passergers can also book on the Airport Shuttle Website.

Regional Transit Authority

• Route: From New Orleans Airport Terminal Departures to Opelousas at Herman
• Pickup point: Bus transportation is located at the Airport Terminal Departures.
• Cost: $1.25
• Time: 50 minutes
• Wheelchair accessibility: All standard RTA buses contain features and equipment that allow persons with disabilities to board, ride, and get out of vehicles easily and comfortably.
• Walking and steps: Walking distance is 0.5 miles from the stop Opelousas at Herman to the conference venue and hotel. Presence of steps unknown.
• Service animals: Please check directly with the vendor
• Phone: (504) 248-3900
• Book: Booking is not needed for the transit authority.

Who can I ask about accessibility in New Orleans, LA?

For information about New Orleans, LA accessibility, including public transport, go to City of New Orleans: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or contact Eva M. Hurst at (504) 658-4020 or emhurst@nola.gov.

Can a student volunteer assist me during the conference?

Student volunteers will be available to assist attendees with disabilities for some accessibility needs. If you will need volunteer assistance at the conference, please contact the Accesibility chairs (accessibility@sui.acm.org) and Student Volunteer chairs (sv@sui.acm.org) for arrangements.

Attendees who require personal care assistance should bring their own assistant. We are still working on this policy.

What is the conference space like?

For the overall layout of the venue, please refer to this map of the conference space.

Two ballrooms, the Fleur De Lis on the 2nd floor and the St. Charles on the 3rd floor, will be used during the conference. Both ballrooms are about 40 feet from the elevators, and the elevators are also near the hotel entrance.

In case of an emergency, a continuous short siren alarm will sound, followed by an automatic voice announcement. All attendees should proceed to the nearest stairwell and exit on ground level. Those with mobility limitations requiring assistance going down stairs should state so at hotel check-in. Someone will come to their location and assist them if needed.

Please see our other FAQs for more details about wheelchair or power scooter access, provisions for presenters, restrooms, walking and steps, and facilities for assistance animals.

Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?

Yes, the conference will be accessible to wheelchair users. The hotel is Wheelchair-Accessible from the street, and there are no steps into the rooms.

We do not at this time have a ramp on to the stage. If you are a presenter who uses a wheelchair, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements. After the early registration deadline (estimated mid-September) we cannot guarantee to be able to provide a ramp. Poster sessions will have space for a wheelchair to move between the posters.

For more information about hotel wheelchair accessibility and an evacuation plan for attendees with mobility limitations, please contact Staci Worthman on 504-378-2814 or worthman.staci@hilton.com.

What are the restroom facilities like?

Two restrooms (one for men and one for women) are located next to our ballroom on the second floor. As seen in the conference map, the 2nd floor restrooms have have wheelchair-accessible stalls. The third floor has no publicly accessible restrooms.

What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?

The stage is approximately 40 feet wide and 8 feet deep. There are 2 short (less than one foot) steps. A photo of the room and stage can be found here.

We do not at this time have a ramp on to the stage. If you are a presenter who uses a wheelchair, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements. After the early registration deadline (estimated mid-September) we cannot guarantee to be able to provide a ramp. Poster sessions will have space for a wheelchair to move between the posters.

If you would like a student volunteer to operate slides or guide you onto and off the stage, or have other accessibility requests please contact Jason Woodworth and Scott McDermott at accessibility@sui.acm.org by the early registration deadline (estimated mid-September).

Can I bring my guide dog?

Yes, guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at SUI 2019. There will be an area with water available for service animals. The conference venue does not have convenient designated pet relief areas. The nearest area is Lafayette Square, a small park which is a 3-5 minute walk from the conference venue. Attendees are asked to pick up after their service animals. Please indicate on your registration form and on your hotel reservation if you anticipate bringing a service animal to the conference.

Can I attend the conference by robot?

SUI 2019 will not provide remote attendance robots, but if someone wishes to bring their own please contact our Accessibility Chairs.

How much walking or standing will be needed?

Assuming attendees are staying at the hotel, walking demands will be minimal. Both ballrooms are near the elevator (see Conference Space Description), and the hotel can provide guests with a room on the same floor as the conference activities if needed. There is a foyer located on the second floor with couches for seating outside of the ballrooms. Some optional activities may require walking outdoors.

Please contact Jason Woodworth and Scott McDermott at accessibility@sui.acm.org as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.

Will there be an induction loop in the meeting rooms?

Induction loops will not be used during the conference.

Will speakers and audience members asking questions be using a microphone?

Speakers on-stage will use microphones while presenting. Audience members with questions may be requested to use a microphone so that their question is more easily heard.

What food service will be provided?

For any meal services provided by the conference, special dietary requests can be made during the early registration period (estimated to end mid-September). Except when listed in a conference program, we do not expect meal services. For more detailed information on the dining services provided at the conference venue, please contact Staci Worthman (Guest Experience Manager) at worthman.staci@hilton.com.

Can the conference accommodate special dietary needs?

Yes. Attendees who indicate special dietary requirements on their registration form will be provided with special meals by the conference catering department. If you have a severe allergy please indicate this on your registration form. For more detailed information please contact Staci Worthman (Guest Experience Manager) at worthman.staci@hilton.com.

Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?

The entire conference venue is a no-smoking area. Smoking is allowed outside on all sidewalk areas.

Will there be loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, or other strong sensory experiences?

We expect no loud music or other strong sensory experiences during presentations, however presenters may be showing audio-visual material not under the control of conference organizers. There will also be VR demonstrations during the demo session in which attendees can choose to participate or abstain.

Participants will be requested not to use flash photography or to wear strong scents. Please indicate on your registration form if there are specific items you would like to know about in advance.

Please contact Jason Woodworth and Scott McDermott at accessibility@sui.acm.org as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.

Will there be a designated quiet space at the conference?

We hope to be able to provide a quiet space at the conference, but availability can only be determined at the time of request. Individual guest rooms are well-insulated and quiet. Please contact us at accessibility@sui.acm.org if you are planning to attend the conference and may need a quiet space.

What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during the conference?

In case of emergency call 911 for an ambulance. The nearest hospital is 1.5 miles away from the conference venue. If you require non-urgent medical care, please contact Jason Woodworth and Scott McDermott at accessibility@sui.acm.org or ask any student volunteer. They will provide you with information about local doctors, specialists, etc. For non-resident attendees, buying travel insurance that covers medical expenses is strongly recommended as fees for emergency treatment can be very high.

This FAQ has been generated using the Accessibility FAQ Generator tool provided by ACM SIGACCESS. Event organizers are welcome to modify and reuse this template for other events. Please contact SIGACCESS for more information.