Communication
If you encounter accessibility issues during the conference, you may either notify a volunteer at the registration desk or call our hotline number: 267-990-6166 The hotline number will get you to a person who will either be able to assist you or put you into contact with someone who can assist you.
In case of an emergency requiring immediate medical assistance, please call 911 directly (if possible) rather than the hotline to ensure more prompt medical care. The nearest hospital to the conference is Pittsburgh UPMC Mercy:
The Marriott is ADA-compliant and accessible to those with mobility restrictions. We have further requested and confirmed that no risers will be used that would prevent speakers from accessing presentation spaces. The majority of the conference takes place in a compact space (the 2nd floor of the Marriott) to minimize the distance that participants will need to travel between sessions.
The main airport that serves Pittsburgh is PIT, a medium-sized airport approximately 30 minutes from the venue. While airlines are primarily responsible for ensuring the accessibility of their flights, there is general airport accessibility information. There is also more specific information on:
SuperShuttle can provide transportation from the airport to the hotel (and back), as well as to other venues if you do not wish to use the buses. They recommend you contact them at least 24 hours in advance and specifically request a wheelchair-accessible shuttle if needed.
Pittsburgh public buses, light rail vehicles, and the Monongahela Incline are all ADA compliant (the Duquesne Incline is only wheelchair accessible from the upper station). All buses are equipped with lifts and ramps, as well as reserved seating for those with disabilities and the 28X bus provides transport from the PIT airport to the Marriott hotel.
NOTE: equipment does malfunction. If you attempt to board a bus that is experiencing an equipment malfunction and another bus is available within 30 minutes, you will be asked to wait for that bus. If not, Pittsburgh Port Authority will dispatch a bus or ACCESS vehicle to transport you. If a driver is unavailable to make the call for alternative transportation, please call Port Authority Customer Service at 412-442-2000 or 412-231-7007 for TTY on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If Customer Service is unavailable, please call Port Authority Police at 412-255-1385.
Find out more information on local transportation accessibility.
Pittsburgh has a dedicated ADA paratransit service for those unable to use the bus system. For non-residents, this generally requires contacting them well in advance to arrange transportation. In the case of a bus equipment malfunction (see above) these rides can be arranged on shorter notice.
For those staying at the Marriott, there is also a hotel shuttle for those making trips in the local/downtown area. Please contact the Marriott directly about their shuttle transportation: 412-471-4000
Microphones will be available in every conference space for both presenters and audience questions. There will be posters reminding attendees to use the microphones to ensure auditory accessibility, as well as section on microphone use in our presentation guidelines.
Our website uses a dedicated plugin to increase its visual accessibility and our presentation guidelines provide recommendations to presenters on creating accessible powerpoint presentations and handouts.
There is a gender neutral, physically accessible restroom on the main conference floor.
There is a nursing mothers’ space which can be accessed by self-identifying at the registration desk.
If you have additional accessibility concerns not covered in this document, please self-identify yourself at the registration desk or call the conference hotline so that we may assist you: 267-990-6166
In case of a medical emergency, please call 911 and inform them you are at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center. The nearest hospital (~ ½ mile) to the conference venue is UPMC Mercy.
For medical emergencies involving pregnancy or children, we are also very close to two specialty hospitals to which you might be diverted instead: UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh .