California Solidarity Conference Accessibility FAQ


The California Solidarity Conference is committed to providing an inclusive environment and we will do our best to accommodate requests for special assistance. This page describes the accessibility features of California Solidarity Conference, to help you make an informed decision about whether the conference will be accessible to you. Please contact us if your question is not answered here, or if the conference arrangements as described are not enough to allow you to attend. We will work with you to the best of our ability, to make the conference accessible.

Contents

How do I communicate accessibility needs to California Solidarity Conference organizers?

When you register for the conference, there will be a registration question labeled “Do you have any other special needs we should be aware of?”. In your response, please indicate any accessibility needs such as wheelchair access, sign language interpretation, or a guide. The conference organizers will follow up with you to clarify your needs. You can contact them directly at any time by emailing accessibility@solidaritycon.org.

You may also indicate any accessibility needs by submitting the conference accessibility survey.

Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?

For more detailed information about accessibility at Oakland Convention Center please contact a convention center representative at (510) 466-6455 or on their website at http://www.oaklandconventioncenter.com/contact.

If there is specific accessibility information you would like to see here, or if you wish to discuss any accessibility requirements, please contact us by email: accessibility@solidaritycon.org, and someone will respond to you shortly.

Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?

The conference will provide a team of sign language interpreters or captioners if requested by any attendees during the early registration period. Please make your request as early as possible. We will follow up with you to discuss your needs in more detail. After November 27th (the deadline for early registration), a best effort will be made to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee that interpreters or captioners will be available.

What are the public transport options for getting to the conference venue?

The 12th Street Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station is just across the street from the Oakland Convention Center, making public transportation a great option when visiting.

BART from Oakland Airport: Take the Oakland AirBART Shuttle ($3, exact change required) from the airport, which leaves from the baggage claim doors every 10 minutes and goes to the Coliseum BART Station. From the Coliseum station, take the Richmond BART train ($1.40) to the 12th Street City Center Station.

BART from San Francisco Airport: The BART Station at San Francisco International Airport is located on level three of the international terminal. The station has two entrances, a walk-in entrance on level three and another which is accessible from Air Train, the airport’s unmanned shuttle train that connects all airport terminals. From SFO BART Station take the Pittsburg/Bay Point train ($5.40) to 12th Street City Center Station.

You can find more information on BART accessibility on their website.

Can a volunteer assist me during the conference?

Volunteers will be available to assist attendees with disabilities with navigation, meal service, or other accessibility needs. If you will need volunteer assistance at the conference, please indicate this on your conference registration form.

Attendees who require personal care assistance should bring their own assistant. Registration fees will be waived for assistants.

What is the conference space like?

For the overall layout of the venue, please refer to this map of the conference
space
.

All conference events are on the first and second levels of the convention center.

Please see our other FAQs for more details about wheelchair or power scooter access, provisions for presenters, restrooms, walking and steps, and facilities for assistance animals.

Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?

Yes, the conference will be accessible to wheelchair users.

For more information about wheelchair accessibility at Oakland Convention Center, please contact a convention center representative at (510) 466-6455 or on their website at http://www.oaklandconventioncenter.com/contact.

What are the restroom facilities like?

Wheelchair accessible restrooms will be available on both floors of the conference.

What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?

Sessions are the California Solidarity Conference will be discussion-focused, and no stages will be used.

Can I bring my guide dog?

Yes! Guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at California Solidarity Conference. Please indicate on your registration form if you anticipate bringing a service animal to the conference.

Can I attend the conference by robot?

We are sorry, but California Solidarity Conference will not be able to accommodate remote attendance by robot.

How much walking or standing will be needed?

It is approximately 400 feet from the elevator to the main ballroom and 200-400 feet from the elevator to breakout session rooms. Accessible bathrooms are located within 150 feet of the elevators on both floors of the conference.

Please contact us at accessibility@solidaritycon.org as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.

Will speakers and audience members asking questions be using a microphone?

Yes, microphones will be used for main stage speakers. There will not be a microphone for attendees, but speakers will be asked to repeat questions from the audience.

Microphones will not be used in smaller breakout discussion sessions.

What food service will be provided?

The conference will provide lunch on both days. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate these clearly on your registration form.

Can the conference accommodate special dietary needs?

Yes. Attendees who indicate special dietary requirements on their registration form will be provided with special meals when the conference catering does not accommodate them. If you have a severe allergy please indicate this on your registration form. For more detailed information please contact us at accessibility@solidaritycon.org.

Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?

Yes, no smoking will be permitted at the conference.

What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during the conference?

In case of emergency, call 911 for an ambulance. The nearest hospital is 1.9 miles away. If you require non-urgent medical care, please contact us at accessibility@solidaritycon.org or ask any volunteer. They will provide you with information about local doctors, specialists, chiropractors, etc. For non-resident attendees, buying travel insurance that covers medical expenses is strongly recommended as fees for emergency treatment can be very high.


This FAQ has been generated from a template provided by ACM SIGACCESS. Event organizers are welcome to modify and reuse this template for other events. Please contact SIGACCESS for more information.