Accessibility Services

AWP is committed to making all reasonable arrangements that will allow conference attendees to participate in conference events. AWP complies with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), and we work to make the conference comfortable and accessible for all participants. We recognize not all disabilities require accommodations, and some are invisible. For the overall comfort of all attendees, AWP considers such accommodations as seating areas to rest between events, quiet rooms, maps in multiple formats, and an onsite contact when help is needed. Although AWP does not require every person to disclose their disability to us, please know that given the range and variations of disabilities we may not know how to properly accommodate someone with a disability unless they contact us directly to share their questions and concerns.

Many accessibility services require advanced planning for a conference as large as AWP’s. In order to help us better prepare, all requests for accessibility services, equipment, or accommodations, should be submitted in advance of the conference. AWP can best meet accessibility needs when requests are sent by Wednesday, February 27, 2019 to Colleen Cable at events@awpwriter.org. AWP makes every effort to accommodate requests that arrive after February 27.

Conference & Event Space

All convention centers and hotels the conference occupies are accessible in accordance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). All rooms at the conference are wheelchair accessible and have seats in the first row and back row marked as reserved for individuals with accessibility needs.

Space has been left for two wheelchairs in the front and back of each meeting room. Please keep designated wheelchair areas and aisles clear for person who may be using wheelchairs, canes, crutches, or motorized scooters. Space should be left around the doors and aisles to allow access.

If you have questions or concerns about these accommodations, please contact Colleen Cable at events@awpwriter.org by Wednesday, February 27, 2019. AWP makes every effort to accommodate requests that arrive after February 27.

Convention Center & Event Space Limitations

AWP works closely with the hotels and convention center to plan the conference and assure Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and related accessibility compliance. However, AWP does not control or oversee the building’s accessibility for the hotels or the convention center. The hotels and convention centers are responsible for the accessibility of all common areas, building entrances and exits, room entrances and exits, hallways, bathrooms, roll-up doors and air walls, escalators, and elevators. AWP does not have the authority to make alterations to these spaces or their fire codes and security policies.

While AWP has taken numerous steps to ensure these properties adhere to the guidelines set forth in the ADA, including multiple assessments of each property, as well as obtaining contractual language guaranteeing ADA adherence, we rely on the hotel and convention center staff at these venues to make sure the buildings themselves are accessible.

Each building has ADA accessible entrances as outlined in this document, but some other entrances must be locked to the outside for all attendees to ensure the security of the building for all attendees.

We will post maps of the Oregon Convention Center and visual cues later this fall. For more information on the layout of the Oregon Convention Center, please email Colleen Cable at events@awpwriter.org.

Oregon Convention Center Construction

The Oregon Convention Center will be undertaking a sizeable renovation project beginning in late August of 2018 and construction will continue through March of 2019. AWP is working closely with the Oregon Convention Center to keep apprised of all updates to construction that will affect the conference.

We will be updating our website and posting on social media with updates to the construction project and any potential issues that may arise. If you would like to be updated directly, please leave your email address below:

Contact Me About Updates to Construction

Mobility Constraints

Due to the large size of the AWP Conference & Bookfair, the 550 sessions are often spread out, and distances between sessions may be considerable. Please remember in your travel plans to bring any mobility equipment you may need to help navigate throughout the conference, including between the convention center, hotels, and surrounding areas. If you find you need to rent equipment onsite, please see the Scooter & Wheelchair Rentals section of this document. If you require help navigating the conference, please see the Attendant and Assistants and Volunteer Assistance sections of this document.

Registration Services

AWP’s online registration system provides attendees with the opportunity to indicate if they have accessibility needs. If you indicate that you have accessibility needs when registering an AWP staff member will contact you to follow up to help ensure those needs are met.

AWP does not require that any conference attendee disclose a disability; however, we can better meet specific needs if we know well ahead of time that a reasonable accommodation will be needed.

Onsite registration, located in Exhibit Hall A on Level 1 of the Oregon Convention Center, will have an entrance for attendees with disabilities who would prefer not to stand in long registration lines, in addition to a wheelchair-height registration kiosk.

For any questions regarding the registration process, please email the Registration Coordinator, Tiffany Robinson at registration@awpwriter.org.

Onsite Accessibility Contact

If you require onsite accessibility during the conference either during regular conference hours or after-hours, please contact Colleen Cable at events@awpwriter.org with "Onsite Accessibility" in the subject line.

We will have an onsite phone number during the conference where you can reach Colleen Cable with any accessibility questions or concerns. This number will be posted shortly before the conference. For any questions about conference accessibility prior to the conference, please call Colleen at (240) 696-7742 or email events@awpwriter.org.

Onsite Accessibility Tour

On Wednesday, March 27, there will be a tour of the Oregon Convention Center for attendees with accessibility needs to see the facility and the associated accessibility features. This tour will also provide the opportunity to ask questions about conference accessibility. For more information, please see the conference schedule or email events@awpwriter.org.

Accessibility Desk

Requests for help are best addressed directly to the Accessibility Desk. While the conference is in session, AWP’s small staff cannot monitor social media for requests. Please see the staff at the Accessibility Desk if you have a request. The onsite Accessibility Desk is located on Level 1 in Exhibit Hall A, and directly next to the registration Help Desk. If you require assistance after-hours, or are unable to get to the Accessibility Desk, please see the Onsite Accessibility Contact section of this document.

AWP conference staffers will be available at the Accessibility Desk from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to offer assistance.

Interpreters & CART

Interpreters, including American Sign Language, Cued Speech Alliteration, and Computer Assisted Real Time Captioning (CART) are available. AWP only utilizes experienced, professional interpreters and CART providers.

AWP can provide interpreters and CART services for any onsite conference event, including the bookfair, from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, with the exception of receptions.

Arrangements for interpreters and CART require advanced planning for a conference as large as AWP’s. Interpreters can best meet interpreting and CART needs when requests are received for the specific events you will attend in advance. To make a request for an interpreter, contact Colleen Cable at events@awpwriter.org by Wednesday, February 27, 2019 with a list of the events you plan to attend. AWP makes every effort to accommodate requests that arrive after February 27, but sometimes interpreters are unavailable unless booked well in advance of our conference.

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services

The audio-visual provider has 10 Assistive Listening Devices that can be assigned to 19 different event rooms throughout the conference. The audio-visual provider requires rooms that utilize Assistive Listening Devices to be assigned no later than 4 days in advance of the event.

To see if a room has been assigned an Assistive Listening Device, or to inquire if a room can be assigned an Assistive Listening Device on short notice, please email Colleen Cable with “Onsite Accessibility” in the subject line at events@awpwriter.org, and detail the specific title, day, time, and location of the events, or visit the Accessibility Services desk located in the registration area on Level 1 in Exhibit Hall A.

The device itself will need to be picked up from the Accessibility Services desk prior to attending the event. A photo I.D. and valid credit card must be presented in order to pick up an Assistive Listening Device, and a fee of $125 will be charged for devices that are not returned to the desk by 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 30.

Attendants & Assistants

Registered attendees requiring an attendant or assistant to facilitate their participation and accessibility needs will be granted one complimentary registration for an attendant/assistant. To register an attendant/assistant, please contact Tiffany Robinson at registration@awpwriter.org.

Volunteer Assistance

Volunteers are available for those who may require assistance throughout the conference. Volunteers can provide assistance with note taking, navigation, and other tasks. AWP can best meet volunteer assistance needs when requests are sent by Wednesday, February 27, 2019 to Colleen Cable at events@awpwriter.org. AWP makes every effort to accommodate requests that arrive after February 27.

Attendees requiring specific problem solving and onsite assistance during the conference should request it from personnel at the Accessibility Desk. Please see the Accessibility Desk section of this document for directions.

Conference & Braille Program

The conference program is provided in multiple formats to accommodate multiple accessibility needs. Large format print and digital programs will be available in the fall.

Braille programs are available onsite at the Accessibility Desk. Please see the Accessibility Desk section of this document for directions.

Presentations & Handouts

Please see the Presenter Guidelines webpage for more information about how best to fulfill obligations to the audience, including attendees with accessibility needs.

Skype & Technology

AWP welcomes those unable to attend the conference due to a disability to Skype in as a presenter. Those who Skype in for accessibility reasons are not required to pay a registration fee.

AWP is able to provide internet, a projector, and screen for Skype if the organizer of the event emails events@awpwriter.org before September 1, 2018 to make the request. If contacted before September 1, AWP can almost certainly provide this technology.

Unfortunately, AWP is not always able to fulfill technology requests that come after September 1. In cases where presenters request to Skype in after September 1, organizers can purchase internet for their event and use a personal laptop or tablet to Skype in their remote presenter. Email events@awpwriter.org if you have questions.

Quiet Space

The Dickinson Quiet Space is a dedicated space for attendees to collect their thoughts, unwind, and escape the literary commotion. The quiet space is not available for conversations or meetings. Please respect the intent of this space. Contact us at events@awpwriter.org if it is not being used for its intended purpose. Please check the Conference Event Schedule for location information.

Weather

Portland, Oregon in late March has a historic average high of 58 degrees and a low around 38 degrees and will most likely remain overcast and rainy over the dates of the conference. Please prepare accordingly and visit a source such as AccuWeather for the most up to date Portland weather forecast.

Allergy Accommodations & Fragrances

As a courtesy to attendees with chemical sensitivities, attendees should refrain from using scented products to help ensure the comfort of everyone at the conference.

Some conference hotels offer allergen-free rooms, cleaning products, and bedding, as well as a mini-fridge, upon request. Please contact the hotel of your choice for more information.

Hotel Rooms

All AWP conference hotels are ADA accessible and should be contacted directly for reservations. Hotel contact information may be found on the Hotel & Travel webpage. These hotels have a limited number of rooms available for guests with accessibility needs. Given the number of attendees, and attendees with accessibility needs, at the conference, AWP hotels often sell out months in advance as reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. If you require an ADA room, please make reservations as soon as possible. If you are having difficulty securing an ADA room, please contact Colleen Cable at events@awpwriter.org.

Portland TriMet System

Portland’s TriMet System operates accessible busses, light rail, and streetcars. For more information, please visit the Hotel & Travel page.

If you have a disability and would like a voucher to travel on the TriMet system for free during the days of the conference, you may pick one up when you register. One pass will be valid for all days of the conference and we have several reserved for those with disabilities.

Scooter & Wheelchair Rentals

The Oregon Convention Center has five wheelchairs and five scooters for rent onsite on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheelchairs are $15 per day and scooters are $35 per day, and can be paid with a credit card. You may pick up your wheelchair or scooter from the Administrative Office on Level 2 of the Oregon Convention Center.
In the case that all wheelchairs and scooters are taken, you may also have one delivered to the Oregon Convention Center from the following local vendors.

Ted’s Mobility Medical & More
(503) 908-7386

Shamrock Medical
(503) 233-5055

Please contact Colleen Cable at events@awpwriter.org if you have additional questions.

Service Animals

All service animals are welcome in all spaces at the AWP Conference & Bookfair.

Attendees are reminded that service animals are working animals and should not distract or attempt to pet them.

Convention Center & Hotel Maps

Detailed maps for the Oregon Convention Center will be available in the fall of 2018. If you have any specific questions regarding the layout of the Convention Center, please email events@awpwriter.org.

Convention Center Layout & Visual Cues

Photographs and visual cues will be available as we approach the conference. If you have any questions regarding the layout of the Convention Center, please email events@awpwriter.org.

Offsite Events

Offsite Events are not produced, moderated, or curated by AWP, and AWP is not responsible for their quality or accessibility services. We list these events as a courtesy to the literary field. The organizers of these events have promised to AWP that the offsite venues listed in the offsite schedule are accessible according to the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you have any questions or concerns about specific offsite events, please contact the organizers of the event directly.

If you attend an offsite event and find it is not accessible in accordance with the ADA, please contact Colleen Cable at events@awpwriter.org to let us know.

Closest Pharmacies

Lloyd Center Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
438 E Burnside St, Portland, OR, 97214
Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed.

Walgreens Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
1620 NE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97232
Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Safeway Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
1100 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232
Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sober AWP

The conference hosts a daily 12-step meeting. The time and location of this meeting will be made available in the Conference Event Schedule. All in recovery are welcome. Please contact soberawp@gmail.com for more information.