Supporting Accessibility

As part of our organization’s commitment to equity, we prioritize hosting and participating in events that are fully accessible to convening attendees and presenters with disabilities. 

Venues

The GIA team visits each venue that will host an event to conduct an accessibility review before the conference.
GIA considers an accessible venue to include:

  • Access to single-stall or gender-inclusive restrooms

  • Wheelchair/scooter-accessible bathrooms (bathrooms containing a 60-inch diameter area to turn, grab bars behind and to the side of the toilet, etc.)

  • Ramp and/or elevator access

  • Doorways, aisles, and pathways wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs (minimum 36 inches, ideally 60 inches)

  • Step-free, wheelchair-accessible entrances, transitions, and path to and from drop-off location

  • Low sensory room or private space separate from the primary event space

  • Clear egress information provided to all in attendance; and a space that is protected by audible and visible fire alarms

  • Provide a scent-free space (e.g., removal of air fresheners, oil diffusers, scented body products, etc.)

Programming

It is critical that all keynotes, events, sessions, and workshops enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to fully engage. To this end, GIA requires all speakers, facilitators, and presenters to attend mandatory training on accessible presentations and sessions.

Keynotes

  • Real-Time Captioning (CART) in English will be available during keynote plenaries.

  • Microphones to provide sound amplification

  • Reserved seating

  • To honor privacy and the safe space of our convening, only keynotes will be recorded and made available on GIA’s YouTube channel following the close of the event.

  • Other accommodations, including American Sign Language (ASL) and Spanish interpretation, will be provided upon request via Whova Registration Form. 

Workshops, Sessions, and Other Events

  • Microphones to provide sound amplification 

  • Reserved seating

  • Other accommodations, including American Sign Language (ASL) and Spanish interpretation, will be provided upon request via Whova Registration Form. 

Requesting Accessibility Accommodations

Presenters and attendees can share their accommodations requests via Whova Registration Form. This information will only be shared with the GIA conference planning team. We will reach out to everyone who makes an accommodations request via email, within two weeks to discuss how to make the conference a successful experience for you. 

Have additional questions or did not make your accommodation requests during registration?
Email the conference planning team at GIA2025Access@gmail.com. 

Additional Resources

Below are recommendations for how to prepare for the convening while supporting disability justice and language justice during the conference and beyond.

Throughout the Convening:

  • When speaking, announce your name, share your pronouns, and consider sharing a visual describing yourself. Some participants may be blind or have low vision, and visual descriptors are essential.

  • Use a microphone and speak at a moderate pace so participants, captioners, and interpreters can hear you.

  • Be patient and avoid multiple people speaking at the same time.