Accessibility

IN-PERSON ACCOMMODATIONS
The David L. Lawrence Convention Center was designed with sustainability and accessibility in mind. Features of the building that support accessibility for all of our attendees include: 

Drop-off Points
The DLCC has curb cut-outs at the East Lobby and West Lobby entrances on 10th Street. These cut-outs provide easy access to the main lobby areas. Sliding glass doors and accessible doors are located at each main lobby with clear access to elevators.

Restrooms
All restroom facilities at the DLCC are equipped for standard wheelchair accessibility. The Center also provides family restrooms, which are located throughout the building. Netroots Nation will also designate gender-neutral restrooms. 

Elevators
All elevators are accessible, are equipped with Braille signage, and lead to all levels of the Convention Center.

Wheelchair Availability
The DLCC has complimentary non-motorized wheelchairs available for guests to use while on site. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are located at the East Lobby security desk, West Lobby security desk, and the Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom, Presented by Dollar Bank, security desk. Wheelchairs are not permitted to leave the property.

We will have six mobility scooters available for attendees to share, and you’ll be able to pick them up at the registration desk. We won’t charge you for this. But we’ll limit you to 2 hours at a time (and ask you to re-charge them, if they run low on battery).

If you need your own dedicated scooter, please arrange for your own rental. If you rent from Steel Town Mobility (supplies are limited), we’ll cover the delivery charge. Call Dennis Franklin, Steeltown at (412) 375-7641 (o) or (724) 810-2130 (c). The cost is $150 for 3 days. If you call Dennis and they’re sold out, email Carolyn@netrootsnation.org for other vendors.

Captioning
All keynotes and featured panels, plus about 30 other panels, will be live-streamed via our virtual platform, which offers both a mobile app and web-based platform with built-in captioning in 34 languages. Captions will automatically display for those watching live through the app and those watching an archived recording. In both the web platform and mobile app, captions automatically display the language that attendees set in their app profile settings (click here for info on how to change your settings). There is an up to 30-second delay on captions.

If you are attending in person and are in a session room of a panel that is being streamed and need captions, you may open the stream on your device to access closed captioning. We just ask that you mute your audio as to not disturb your fellow attendees.

Our keynote sessions will have live captioning on the stage screens, and our featured panels and select sessions will also have ASL interpreters.

In all session rooms, we will have reserved seating in the front of the rooms for those who need to sit closer to access captions, ASL, or be closer to the audio. Look for dedicated spaces labeled “Accessible Seating.” We ask other attendees to leave these spaces clear for folks needing accommodations. (Folks using accommodations are of course welcome to have a friend sit in these areas with them.) All panel and training rooms also have amplified sound, and all speakers have been asked to use microphones and repeat any audience questions that may not be picked up enough on mic

We are not yet able to offer closed captioning or ASL in all 150+ sessions, but our tech and AV teams recommend Web Captioner, a free web tool, for individuals looking for captioning beyond the aforementioned sessions. Please note Web Captioner is only compatible with Google Chrome browser and requires permission to access your microphone. If you have additional suggestions for tools, please let us know.

If you are hearing impaired and need support beyond what is offered above, please contact us at help@netrootsnation.org or (415) 737-6389.

Nursing Room
On the second level of the DLCC, there is a dedicated space for parents of newborns/infants to be used as a private space for nursing mothers. When at the DLCC, please ask a staff member for the location and how to gain access.

Wellness/Quiet Room
Room 322 is dedicated as our Wellness Room. Special programming, including morning yoga and midday meditation moments, will be held in this room (check the schedule for times). When programming is not happening, feel free to use this space for a quiet moment as needed.

Session Room Accessibility
Each session room will have wide aisles and spaces in the front and rear of the room to accommodate wheelchairs, scooters or others needing a little extra space. In the back of some of the rooms, chairs will also be set apart for those wishing to maintain some social distance. Please be mindful of those spaces and do not crowd those who are sitting in those rows. 

Food and drink options/allergies
There will be water bottle filling stations throughout the Convention Center, so we encourage you to bring a water bottle with you to fill up as needed.

For those who follow a vegetarian diet, there will be vegetarian options among our hors d’oeuvres/snacks at the various receptions and snack breaks. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate every food allergy. However, for any meal or snack you may be served within the Convention Center, catering staff will be able to tell you if any of the foods you’re allergic are involved in the preparation.

If you run into a situation where the food options in the building don’t suit you or you want to have a nice dinner in the area, our local friends have shared with us these suggestions for good vegan and vegetarian options.

For additional information on the venue, you can review the floor plan for the first floor (most entrances) and third floor (where NN programming is happening), as well as the DLCC’s accessibility information page. If you have questions or concerns not addressed here, please email us at info@netrootsnation.org.

If you have an ADA-related need, call or text the Netroots staff at (415) 737-6389 or email us at help@netrootsnation.org so that we may assist you.


VIRTUAL ACCOMMODATIONS
All keynotes and featured panels, plus about 30 other panels, will be livestreamed via our virtual platform, Webex Events, which offers both a mobile app and web-based platform with built-in captioning in 34 languages. Captions will automatically display for those watching live and those watching an archived recording. In both the web platform and mobile app, captions automatically display the language that attendees set in their app Profile settings (click here for info on how to change your settings). Keep in mind there is a 30 second delay on captions.

The Webex web platform is compatible with assistive technology and has been updated to ensure that color contrast meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines; all icons are labeled; and images are enabled with ALT text. We’re also encouraging attendees to add descriptions when sharing images on social platforms or in the app.


ACCESSIBILITY TIPS FOR PRESENTERS
If you’re a presenter, here are some things to consider to make your sessions and handouts (if using) accessible:

  • Identify yourself by name before speaking. Not only is this helpful for persons with visual and auditory disabilities to identify who is speaking, it also helps captioners.
  • Speak clearly and slowly at a medium volume. 
  • Read out loud any important details and repeat back or read out loud any questions posed.
  • Use text that is high-contrast and in a large, legible font, such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Avoid italics and specialty or decorative fonts. Use an online color contrast checker.
  • Using slides? Describe images used in the presentation and read relevant text from the screen for people who have difficulty reading or seeing text and visual images.


COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
Our Community Guidelines offer tips on how to be inclusive of all attendees, including those with disabilities. A few important things to remember:

  • Identify yourself by name before speaking. Not only is this helpful for persons with visual and auditory disabilities to identify who is speaking, it also helps captioners. 
  • Speak clearly and slowly at a medium volume. 
  • Use “person-first” labels to ensure that people are not labeled with their disability (“person with a disability” instead of “disabled person” or “person who uses a wheelchair” instead of “wheelchair-bound”).
  • “Handicapped” has a negative connotation. Instead use “person with a disability.”