Accessibility

CHI 2022 Accessibility FAQ

CHI 2022 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 CHI 2022, to help you make an informed decision about whether the conference will be accessible to you. Please contact us if your question is not answered here, or if the conference arrangements as descrhibed are not enough to allow you to attend. We will work with you to the best of our ability, to make the conference accessible.

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How do I communicate accessibility needs to CHI 2022 organizers?

The Accessibility Chairs for CHI 2022 are Dhruv Jain, Garreth Tigwell, Zainab AlMeraj, Kotaro Hara, and Venkatesh Potluri, whose goal is to ensure the conference is accessible to everyone. When you register for the conference, there will be a registration question labeled, “Please tell us if there is anything we can do to ensure your participation is barrier-free.” Please write-in anything that will help make the conference accessible to you.

We will do our best to accommodate all requests made by March 28th, 2022. We will still try our best to accommodate requests after that date, but they may be difficult to fulfill depending on the type of request and needed lead time. Please note that we strive to be an inclusive, accessible conference, but not all requests can be guaranteed. If you have questions, please contact accessibility@chi2022.acm.org. The accessibility chairs will follow up to discuss your needs in more detail.

Please be aware that some accommodations may be difficult to provide at short notice, and we may not be able to accommodate every request. Requesting in advance help ensure we are able to meet your needs in a timely and effective manner.

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

More information about accessibility at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is available on their accessibility information page.

Some of the venue staff have taken disability awareness training that touches on basic disability awareness but not detailed training. They may be able to assist you.

Please contact Dani Deering – Lead for Accessibility, Merch, SVs, Childcare on 1-888-526-1242 or email chi@executivevents.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, Garreth, Dhruv, Kotaro and Zainab by email: accessibility@chi2022.acm.org, and someone will respond to you shortly.

Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?

CART service will be provided if a request is made by March 28th, 2022. We will still try our best to accommodate requests after that date, but they may be difficult to fulfill depending on the type of request and needed lead time. Please note that we strive to be an inclusive, accessible conference, but not all requests for interpreters and captioners can be guaranteed. If you have questions, please contact accessibility@chi2022.acm.org. The accessibility chairs will follow up to discuss your needs in more detail. More guidelines on registration and availing accommodations will be posted here soon.

We wanted to let you know that all the sessions that will happen through HUBB, the official virtual conference platform for CHI 2022, will be automatically captioned (and some sessions will be manually captioned). Some of CHI 2022’s official sessions that use Zoom will also be automatically captioned.

You may also bring your own interpreter to the event. Please reach out to the accessibility chairs closer to the conference to set this up.

We hope this increases the accessibility of the conference for you and if you need anything then do contact us on #accessibility-help-desk channel on Discord or via email accessibility@chi2022.acm.org

Will there be a chance to try videoconferencing and other technologies in advance of the conference?

We have approached all attendees who identified as needing accessibility help via email and offered a chance to demo the platform before the event. If you would like a walkthrough demo please contact us accessibility@chi2022.acm.org or the Discord #accessibility-help-desk channel

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

From the airport, the easiest way to get to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is dependent on your needs.

There is one accessible ramp in the rideshare area available, the ramp is 52’’ wide. See the following map with location: Taxi ramp location

The pedestrian park is accessible with several ramps as well as designated ADA drop off locations in each phase of the building.

There are private shuttle services that are ADA compliant:

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

For information about New Orleans, LA accessibility, including public transport, go to New Orleans online accessibility information or contact Eva Hurst at 504-658-4021 or emhurst@nola.gov.

Can a student volunteer assist me during the conference?

Student volunteers will be available to assist attendees with disabilities with navigation, meal service, or other accessibility needs. If you will need volunteer assistance at the conference, please indicate this on your conference registration form.

Attendees who require personal care assistance should bring their own assistant. Personal care assistants do not need to register for the conference. If the assistant will be having food and drink provided by the conference during coffee/tea breaks, lunches, and/or the reception, we ask that these be added into the attendee’s registration at the ‘extra options’ stage of the registration process.

Are the conference technologies accessible

The official conference platform will be HUBB. The platform is not fully WCAG2.1 AA compliant but the accessibility chairs and conference staff have conducted an audit and many of the larger issues have been addressed. You can find a list of these issues here:What is the conference space like?

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

map of the conference space.

The hotel elevators only have visual feedback, not auditory, and no wheelchair-height controls. The call buttons in the elevator do have braille and/or embossed lettering . (some information about this can be found here: https://mccno.com/visitors/safety-accessibility/#disabilities)

The elevator doors are 39″W, the dimensions inside of the elevator are 6’L x 6’6″W

In the Plenary Hall and Presentation rooms the width of the seats are 17.5″

In case of an emergency and call for evacuation, Public safety officers will assist and orient people with disabilities (e.g., blind and visually impaired attendees, people with hearing impairments) to safety.

In the event of a health crisis, please Call the venue public safety department (504)582-3040. EMS will be dispatched as necessary.

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 main entrances of the hotel have wheelchair accessible doors. The exhibit hall lobby spaces however are not considered main entrances, so they are not wheelchair accessible. We are still working on any other potential limits for wheelchair access.

There is one accessible ramp in the rideshare area for rideshare/taxi drop off, the ramp is 52″ wide.

The convention center does have 2 ramps for conference rooms that would have stages in it, however, our inventory may be limited based on usage for the other events in the building. After the early registration deadline (March 28th) we cannot guarantee to be able to provide a ramp. See floor plans here: https://mccno.com/planners/floorplans-capacities/

If you are a presenter and need a ramp up to the stage please let the accessibility team know as soon as possible (before March 28st) so they can make sure the ramp is in the room for the session. To do this please contact Garreth, Dhruv, Kotaro or Zainab at accessibility@chi2022.acm.org

Poster sessions will have space for a wheelchair to move between the posters.

We are still working on an evacuation plan for attendees with mobility limitations.

For more information about wheelchair accessibility at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, please contact Dani Deering – Lead for Accessibility, Merch, SVs, Childcare on 1-888-526-1242 or chi@executivevents.com.

We are still gathering information on wheelchair access to the offsite events. Please contact us directly with any questions.

What are the restroom facilities like?

Attendees will have access to all of the bathrooms in our area of the convention space. All restrooms are accessible and there are plans to ensure gender neutral restrooms too.

The widths of accessible bathroom doors are 3’2″

The paper towel dispensers, flush and sink controls are all on sensors. The toilet paper dispenser and bathroom stall locks are manual.

What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?

The deadline to request ASL assistance was March 28th so that we can accommodate it. We will do our best to accommodate any requests after this date so email us ASAP.

If you are a presenter and need a ramp up to the stage, please let the accessibility team know as soon as possible (before March 28th) so they can make sure the ramp is in the room for the session. To do this please contact Garreth, Dhruv, Kotaro, Zainab, or Venkatesh at accessibility@chi2022.acm.org

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 Dhruv, Garreth, Kotaro, Zainab, or Venkatesh at accessibility@chi2022.acm.org or the Discord #accessibility-help-desk channel

Can I bring my guide dog?

Yes! Guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at CHI 2022. However, they will need to be harnessed, leashed or tethered at all times. Also, there is no space specifically reserved for guide dogs, but the pedestrian park is pet friendly.

Please indicate on your registration form if you anticipate bringing a service animal to the conference.

Can I attend the conference by robot?

We are sorry, but CHI 2022 will not be able to accommodate remote attendance by robot.

How much walking or standing will be needed?

CHI’22 attendees will have access to The BigEasy. The BigEasy is a 6-8 person golf cart that attendees can hop on to get around the 1st floor of the Convention Center. It is shared by the 3 other events happening in the Convention Center at the same time as CHI. There hours of operation are:

  • Saturday 4/30 8:30am – 10am & 5pm – 6pm
  • Sunday 5/1 7:30am – 10am & 5pm – 7pm
  • Monday 5/2 6:30am – 10:30am & 5pm – 9:30pm
  • Tuesday 5/3 6:30am – 10:30am & 5pm – 7:30pm
  • Wednesday 5/4 6:30am – 10:30am & 4pm – 6:30pm
  • Thursday 5/5 6:30am – 12:30pm

We have blue lounge-type chairs and benches throughout the 2nd and 3rd floor lobby spaces. Additional chairs outside some session rooms for seating after long walks have been added. Should you have any trouble at all contact us via the details below.

Please contact Garreth, Dhruv, Kotaro, Zainab, or Venkatesh at accessibility@chi2022.acm.orgor the Discord #accessibility-help-desk channel as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.

Will there be an induction loop in the meeting rooms?

The convention center does not have audio induction loops. We will provide a sign language interpretation service for those who need it. Please request it before March 28th; after that deadline, we will do our best to accommodate but we cannot guarantee we can find interpretation.

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

Yes, microphones will be used for all speakers. Attendees with questions will be requested to use a microphone so that their question is more easily heard.

What food service will be provided?

The conference will provide, refreshments and snacks at morning and afternoon breaks during the preconference and main conference days. Please note, lunch is not provided, and attendees are on own for lunch. There will also appetizers and refreshments being served at the evening receptions. The schedule and details for the evening receptions are still being finalized, please continue to check the website for updates. If you have special dietary needs, it is very important that you indicate these clearly on your registration form.

Can the conference accommodate special dietary needs?

Yes. Attendees who indicate special dietary requirements on their registration form will be provided with special meals when the conference catering does not accommodate them. If you have a severe allergy, please indicate this on your registration form. For more detailed information please contact the F&B Manager, Brooke Daley (bdaley@exececutivevents.com).

Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?

The entire conference venue is a no-smoking area. Louisiana law prohibits smoking within 25′ of NOENMCC entrance doors. Please be cautious.

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

The sensory aspects of the conference have been screened. There will be a photographer onsite taking pictures. There will be a DJ at the Sunday night volunteer appreciation event, the event is outside so should help with loud noise. There is going to be a jazz band at the opening reception on Monday night. Confirming these other items

Beyond this, we are unaware of other events that include loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, or other strong sensory experiences.

Participants and speakers have been requested not to use flash photography or to wear strong scents.

We are still gathering information on sensory demands of the offsite events.

Please contact Garreth, Dhruv, Kotaro, Zainab, or Venkatesh at accessibility@chi2022.acm.org or the Discord #accessibility-help-desk channel as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.

Will there be a designated quiet space at the conference?

There will be two rooms dedicated as a quiet space at the conference. The Prayer Room: 298 and the Desensitization room: 299

Please contact, Dhruv, Garreth, Kotaro, Zainab, or Venkatesh at accessibility@chi2022.acm.org or the Discord #accessibility-help-desk channel or ask any student volunteer if you need help locating the room.

What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during the conference? Does the venue have audible and visible fire alarms?

In case of emergency call 911 for an ambulance. We are still checking on the distance to the nearest hospital. If you require non-urgent medical care, please contact Garreth, Dhruv, Kotaro or Zainab at accessibility@chi2022.acm.org or ask any student volunteer. They will provide you with information about local doctors, specialists, chiropractors, etc. For non-resident attendees, buying travel insurance that covers medical expenses is strongly recommended as fees for emergency treatment can be very high.

In case of emergency, the venue has both audible and visible fire alarms

Who should I contact if I have an access problem during the event?

You may contact the accessibility chairs on accessibility@chi2022.acm.org in advance for private backchannel contact information.

 

Will talks be pre-recorded?

Yes.

I have another question

If you have any other questions about accessibility of CHI 2022, please contact the accessibility chairs at accessibility@chi2022.acm.org. Please note that this FAQ will be updated as more details about the conference become available.

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.

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