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 in early March. 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, Aubrey Kamppila 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 a limited number of assisted listening devices that can be made compatible with certain rooms at the Oregon Convention Center. If you would like to request assistive listening technology for any sessions at the conference, please email events@awpwriter.org.

The audio-visual provider requires rooms that utilize Assistive Listening Devices to be assigned no later than 4 days in advance of the event.

All events that take place in Portland Ballroom 253-254 and Oregon Ballroom 201-202 will be compatible with Assistive Listening Devices.

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.

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 Aubrey Kamppila 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. If you would like to reserve a complimentary TriMet pass, please email events@awpwriter.org.

Scooter & Wheelchair Rentals

The Oregon Convention Center will have 15 scooters and 10 wheelchairs available for reservations and onsite pick-up. Scooters are free of charge for use throughout the Oregon Convention Center during the days of the conference. You may pick up your scooter in the Holladay Lobby area of the Oregon Convention Center. To make a reservation, please email events@awpwriter.org.

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

Here are the maps in PDF format for levels 1 and 2 of the Oregon Convention Center and the Doubletree hotel. The convention center maps are also available below (please click the images for larger versions).

If you have any specific questions regarding the layout of the Convention Center, please email events@awpwriter.org.

Convention Center Layout & Visual Cues

The photos below have alt text for those who would like written descriptions of the visuals.

This is the Rose Quarter MAX station, approximately 500 feet from the Oregon Convention Center. This is the closest fully operational MAX station to the Oregon Convention Center.

You can see in this picture the green Hop Fastpass machine. You need to tap your TriMet pass every time you board. While you may not be asked for a valid pass on every ride, you need to be prepared in case a station manager asks to see your ticket.

This photograph shows the Rose Quarter MAX station, eastbound. The sign in this photo indicates that the Rose Quarter MAX station is on the blue, green, and red lines. There is white bumpy tile directly next to the tracks. The platform consists of red and orange brick in a checkerboard pattern.

This is the view of the Oregon Convention Center from the Rose Quarter MAX station platform.

This photo depicts a slight uphill gradient between the MAX station and the Oregon Convention Center. There is a crosswalk across NE Holladay Street and another crosswalk across NE 1st Avenue.

This is the crosswalk between the Rose Quarter MAX station and the Oregon Convention Center, across NE Holladay Street.

This photograph shows the crosswalk near the Rose Quarter MAX station. The crosswalk is made up of several different materials, in addition to light rail tracks. Closest to the sidewalk is gray cement and tracks, then a checkerboard pattern made up of light orange bricks and gray cement, then gray cement and tracks, then a median of crisscrossing bricks. In this photo is also a yellow sign that says “Look Both Ways”

After you cross the first crosswalk, there is a second, depicted below, which crosses NE 1st Avenue. The Oregon Convention Center entrance is directly ahead, up a slight incline.

The crosswalk in this photo is a checkerboard pattern with orange bricks and gray cement. There is Oregon Convention Center signage on the other side of the street.

This is the Oregon Convention Center’s main entrance.

This photo shows the main entrance to the Oregon Convention Center. The path to the entrance is made up of large gray cement squares, crossed by light orange bricks. On the right is a gated-off bell with a glass roof. On the left, there is a row of columns with glass roofing.

This is a closer view of the main entrance of the Oregon Convention Center.

This photo shows the entrance to the Oregon Convention Center. Above the glass entry doors is glass roofing.

While the Rose Quarter MAX station will be the closest fully operational MAX station, the Convention Center MAX station will be open westbound only. The Convention Center MAX station is approximately 300 feet from the main Oregon Convention Center entrance.

This photo shows the Convention Center MAX station from the Oregon Convention Center entrance.

This photo shows the walkway from the Oregon Convention Center entrance to the Convention Center MAX station on the left. The photo shows a slight incline to reach the Convention Center MAX station. Also in this photo is Oregon Convention Center digital signage.

This is the Convention Center MAX, which will be under construction during #AWP19.

This photo shows the Convention Center MAX station and surrounding construction.

This is the crosswalk to the Convention Center MAX station.

The crosswalk across NE Holladay Street is made up of a checkerboard pattern of gray cement squares and orange brick. Across the street, the platform is made up of red brick and there is a slight incline up the platform.

This photo was taken on the Convention Center MAX station platform and shows the construction fencing surrounding areas of the Oregon Convention Center.

The photo shows the Convention Center MAX station’s platform, which is made up of alternating stripes of yellow and reddish brick. The station is closed in by wire fencing. Across the street, the photo shows the construction fencing with tarps reading Colas Construction Inc.

This photograph was taken on the Convention Center MAX platform. The entrance to the Oregon Convention Center is straight ahead and on the left.

This photo is a view from the Convention Center MAX station down toward the Oregon Convention Center’s main entrance.

Directly inside the main Oregon Convention Center is the Holladay Lobby. The coat check will be located on the right side of the lobby and wheelchair & scooter rentals will be on the left side. The distance from the entrance to the top of the stairs and escalators is approximately 90 feet.

To the left of the Holladay Lobby is the Oregon Ballroom. Directly ahead and on Level 1 is Registration, the Bookfair, and meeting rooms.

This photograph shows the Holladay Lobby, located directly inside the Oregon Convention Center’s entrance. There are orange arrows in this photograph. An arrow pointing to the left says “Oregon Ballroom, up one level.” An arrow to the upper left corner of the photograph says “elevators.” An arrow pointing straight ahead says “Registration & Bookfair, down one level.” An arrow pointing to the right and slightly upward says “Coat Check.”

This photo was taken on Level 1 looking up to the Holladay Lobby. The wood platforms on the left are low benches with electrical outlets. You can use stairs, an escalator, or an elevator to get onto Level 1 from the Holladay Lobby.

This is a view from the lobby outside of the registration area and the entrance to the bookfair. Up one level is the Holladay Lobby. This photograph has orange arrows pointing to the different ways an attendee may travel between levels. On the leftmost side are a series of benches. To the right of the benches is an arrow pointing to a staircase. To the right of the staircase is an escalator. On the rightmost side is another arrow pointing to the right toward a hallway where the elevator is located.

This is another view from the lobby outside of the Registration Area and the Bookfair.

This photo shows the level 1 lobby with orange arrows pointing to the Registration & Bookfair to the left and the Holladay Lobby to the upper right. This photo also shows the art installation hanging over the middle of the lobby, which is a large pendulum over a large circle on the floor meant to look like the solar system.

There is a large circle of tile outside of the Exhibit Hall A & B and outside of the A meeting rooms meant to look like the solar system. There is no difference in elevation between this tile and the carpet.

The large circular tile is dark blue with rings of yellow. There are circles of green, yellow, blue, black, and white inside the larger dark blue circle. The tile is surrounded by gray carpet.

This is the hallway from registration toward meeting rooms ABC and DEF.

This photograph shows a hallway with built-in wooden benches on the left-hand side.

This is Lobby B, surrounded by B meeting rooms. Most session rooms, like the below B meeting rooms, are arranged around a lobby space.

This photo shows a lobby area covered in gray speckled carpet. In the center of the lobby, the carpet turns red. Over each session room door is a room number in black lettering on a white background.

This is the hallway outside of the C meeting rooms. Due to construction, this hall is temporary and will be curtained off as you see here.

This photograph shows the temporary hallway along the C meeting rooms. On the left side of the hallway are built-in wooden benches and on the left are curtains and temporary foamboard to wall off construction.

This is a continuation of the hallway. This hallway connects the two sides of the Oregon Convention Center. Continue down this hall for the DEF meeting rooms and the Portland Ballroom (on Level 2). This hallway is approximately 5 feet wide and 132 feet long.

This photograph shows a hallway with speckled gray carpet and white walls.

This is the exit to the connecting hallway from the previous photograph. While this photo shows that the stairs are closed off, this will not be the case during #AWP19. The stairs will be open for use. The stairs will bring you up to the Martin Luther King Jr. Lobby, which is temporarily closed for construction. The Oregon Convention Center has provided a path across the Martin Luther King Jr. Lobby, which is a useful route to get from the Ginkoberry Concourse to the Oregon Ballroom on Level 2.

This photograph shows the start of the Ginkoberry Concourse as you exit the hallway from the previous photo. There are orange arrows pointing to elevators on the left and pointing up to stairs that will lead to the Martin Luther King Jr. Lobby.

The MLK Jr. Lobby will be closed for the duration of #AWP19, but the Oregon Convention Center will provide a temporary pathway. This pathway is only accessible by stairs on either end. If you have accessibility needs and cannot maneuver stairs, cross the building entirely on Level 1, then take an escalator or elevator to the ballrooms Level 2.

This pathway connects the Ginkoberry Concourse and the Oregon Ballroom. The temporary pathway is approximately 160 feet.

This photo shows a stairway down one level to the Martin Luther King Jr. Lobby. The pathway is temporary and made up of green carpet, closed off by black drape.

This is the Ginkoberry Concourse and is approximately 380 feet long. DEF meeting rooms are straight ahead. The Portland Ballroom is directly above the DEF meeting rooms on Level 2.

This photo shows the Ginkoberry Concourse, which has gray speckled carpeting. The left side of the concourse is made up of windows and on the left are some of the D meeting rooms. At the end of the concourse is a green Ginkoberry statue and Ginkoberry blossom art installation hangs from the ceiling.

This is a view of the Ginkoberry Concourse from above. To the left of this photo is another entrance to the Oregon Convention Center, off of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

This photo shows an aerial view of the Ginkoberry Concourse. The carpet is gray speckled at the far end of the concourse, but changes to a red carpet with blue circles and white dots. An entrance of the Oregon Convention Center is located to the right in this photo. There are stairs and a ramp just inside of the entrance.

At the end of the Ginkoberry Concourse, closest to the Portland Ballroom and the E & D meeting rooms, there is an entrance to the building, pictured below. The entrance is equipped with wheelchair buttons.

This is a photo of one of the main entrances to the Oregon Convention Center. The entrance is a series of glass doors with glass roofing overhead. The plaza before the entrance is made up of large gray cement blocks crisscrossed by reddish brick.

This is the hallway directly to the left of the Ginkoberry Concourse entrance. Straight ahead is a curved hallway where you will find the F meeting rooms. The curved hallway is approximately 150 feet.

This photograph shows a curved hallway with gray speckled carpet. This hallway leads to the E and F meeting rooms. On the left of the curved hallway are a series of windows.

This is Level 2, directly above the DEF meeting rooms. On the left are the stairs and escalators. The elevators are also to the left, out of frame of this picture.

This photograph shows a lobby area outside of the Portland Ballroom. There are orange arrows pointing left and downward to Stairs & Escalators to Level 1. There is an orange arrow pointing to Elevators to all levels and Parking Garage to the left. To the lower right, there is an orange arrow pointing to the Portland Ballroom.

This is a photo of the Portland Ballroom Lobby, which is approximately 150 feet long.

This photo is a lobby area outside of the Portland Ballroom. The carpet is gray-speckled. To the left are a series of windows and to the right are doors to enter the Portland Ballroom.

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.