Special services arranged in advance can be verified with Michele Koontz, Administrative Officer & Meeting Manager, upon arrival to ensure that you receive the assistance you require.  Please see Michele if you encounter any problems or need further assistance. 

The SSSP has established an Accessibility Services Fund in order for members to be able to contribute directly to making the annual meeting accessibility services more affordable for attendees with disabilities.  Based on the generosity of those who donated when they registered, we received $305 in donations.

Hotel

The Roosevelt Hotel participates in the ORCA program.  ORCA designs, manufactures, and installs the leading technology in the food waste recycling industry.  ORCA uses mostly air, along with water and microbiology to turn food waste into an environmentally safe liquid that goes down the drain and is disposed of using the existing sanitary sewer infrastructure.  ORCA is a hyperlocal, distributed alternative to the traditional truck and bin collection system that delivers significant savings because they eliminate trucking from the process while significantly reducing the harmful emissions that come with truck traffic.

Air Quality – Smoking – Service Animals

Please refrain from wearing any scented products to respect attendees who may be sensitive and/or allergic to these types of chemicals.  Smoking is not allowed in the meeting space or restaurants.  Unless you yourself use a service or therapy dog or other credentialed assistance animal, we ask that you not bring companion animals to the book exhibit or areas where members are presenting.  The closest grassy area near the hotel for service or therapy dogs is Bryant Park (located on West 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue).

Area of Rescue Assistance

An Area of Rescue Assistance will be established and clearly marked with signage on the Mezzanine Level and on the 2nd Floor Conference Level.  In the event of a hotel evacuation during meeting hours, hotel staff will check these areas for attendees who require assistance.

Comfort Zone

The Comfort Zone provides a quiet environment for you to relax, reflect, and re-energize.  This space is available to ALL conference attendees, no matter where you are staying. Please feel free to bring your morning coffee or afternoon snack and relax, unwind, or get organized for the rest of your day.  This space should not be used for committee meetings.

The Comfort Zone is located in the Columbus Suite on the 2nd Floor Conference Level and available during the following hours:

All-Gender Restroom

An all-gender restroom is located near registration on the Mezzanine Level. This facility is available because it is important that all members feel safe and included. 

For many transgender people and people who do not conform to societal gender norms, using a public restroom is a daily struggle. Trans and gender expansive people are often harassed, physically assaulted, or questioned by authorities in both men’s and women’s restrooms if they are assumed to be in the wrong restroom.

An all-gender restroom provides access to a safe restroom and changing area for people of any gender identity and presentation.  They also provide a safe space for those who need the assistance of a personal care attendant or those with small children.

Lactation Room 

A lactation room is located in the Lafayette Suite, 2nd Floor Conference Level and available during the following hours:

Sessions

SSSP strives to make its annual meeting as accessible as possible.  Each presentation or session should be designed and conducted with the full participation of all in mind.  Therefore, the Accessibility Committee requests that all presenters review the guidelines for accessible presentations and take the necessary steps to maximize programming access to all participants.

Wheelchair Access to Plaza Suite.  Attendees must enter thru Grand Ballroom by going down Grand Ballroom Hallway.

Airports

The Roosevelt Hotel is located two blocks from Grand Central Terminal, where you can catch a train to John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty International.  All three airports offer several accessibility services, for more information, visit the airport’s website at:

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): https://www.jfkairport.com/at-airport/accessibility-services

LaGuardia Airport (LGA): https://www.laguardiaairport.com/at-airport/accessibility-services

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): https://www.newarkairport.com/at-airport/accessibility-services

Accessibility Information

Many New York attractions, museums, restaurants, and hotels are accessible to people with disabilities.  Visit https://www.nycgo.com/plan-your-trip/basic-information/accessibility for several helpful links.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York City (MTA) offers reduced fares to travelers with disabilities.  Information is available at these numbers: MTA: 718-596-8585; TTY/TDD: 718-596-8273 or visit http://web.mta.info/accessibility/.

If a need arises on-site, we encourage you to stop by the SSSP registration desk for assistance. SSSP is committed to making the annual meeting accessible to all.  For more information on Accessibility Guidelines for program participants, presenters, and session organizers, scan the QR code or visit  https://www.sssp1.org/index.cfm/m/773/Accessibility_Guidelines_and_Services/.