SSSP is committed to making the Annual Meeting accessible to all. 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. You can make a donation when you register or join/renew your membership or anytime.

Air Quality & Service Animals

SSSP requests that all participants refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, and other fragrances for the benefit of attendees with multiple chemical sensitives. Unless you yourself use a service or therapy dog or other credentialed assistance animal, we ask that you not bring companion animals into the conference space.

Area of Rescue Assistance

An Area of Rescue Assistance will be established and clearly marked with signage on all levels of the conference space. In the event of an evacuation during meeting hours, hotel staff will check these areas for attendees who require assistance.

Comfort Zone

A Comfort Zone will be established for use by attendees, no matter where you are staying, to provide a quiet environment to relax, reflect, and re-energize. This space is not available for conversations or meetings. Please silence your devices and refrain from talking on cell phones in this area.

The Comfort Zone is available during the following hours:

On Thursday, the Comfort Zone will be in the Grant Park Parlor on the 6th floor. On Friday-Sunday, the Comfort Zone is in the Logan Room on the 3rd floor.

All-Gender Restrooms

The SSSP will designate All-Gender Restrooms in the conference hotel. These restrooms are available for use by all persons, regardless of their gender identity and will be marked with door signage. Please help make these facilities and the meeting an inclusive space for trans and gender non-conforming attendees by respecting the right of everyone to use them.

Location: the 3rd floor Friday-Sunday; the 5th floor Thursday-Monday; the 6th floor Thursday-Saturday. There is a permanent one-person, all-gender restroom located on the 6th floor near Grant Park Parlor.

Lactation Room 

The Lactation Room is a dedicated space for attendees with young children to privately care for their children’s needs. Babies, nursing or not, are welcome in sessions. This room is not available for conversations or meetings. Please silence your devices and refrain from talking on cell phones in this area.

The Lactation Room is available during the following hours:

On Thursday, the Lactation Room is in the Grant Park Parlor on the 6th floor. On Friday-Sunday, the Lactation Room is in the Madison Room, on the 3rd floor.

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 program accessibility guidelines and take the necessary steps to maximize programming access to all participants.

Accessibility Information

Chicago is committed to being an inclusive and accessible city. Visitors can find resources to help plan their trip, including information on transportation, attractions, diverse neighborhoods, dining, museums, sports, theatres, and more. Explore accessibility information and resources to help plan your trip.

If you have any problem or negative experience related to accessibility, including issues with housing, meeting sessions, travel throughout the city, restaurants, or any other accessibility related issue, please report the issue to SSSP staff at the registration desk. A team member will record the concern and will be your advocate in working to resolve the issue whenever possible. By informing us of any concerns that arise we can work toward making the SSSP Annual Meeting more welcoming and make the cities and hotels where SSSP meetings occur aware of issues.

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, click here.