ASHE 2016 Accessibility Guide

Transcription

1 ASHE 2016 Accessibility Guide

2 Welcome Welcome to Columbus. There's an energy and excitement in Columbus with plenty to do and experience. Our goal is to help you prepare for your visit and ensure as many people as possible get the best possible experience at this year s ASHE Conference and location. Our goal is to address many accessibility concerns that attendees may have during their trip to Columbus for the 2016 ASHE Conference. If there are any questions or needs that have not been addressed in this guide, please feel free to contact us so that we may address your concerns individually. Sincerely, The Association for the Study of Higher Education ashe@unlv.edu Phone: (702) Program Chair Executive Director Conference Coordinator Heather Rowan-Kenyon, PhD heather.rowan-kenyon@bc.edu Kim Nehls, PhD kim.nehls@unlv.edu Holly Schneider, PhD holly.shneider@unlv.edu

3 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Arriving in Columbus Port Columbus International Airport 2 Accessibility Services at Port Columbus Airport 2-3 TSA Help Line..3 Getting to the Hotel/Conference 3-4 Taxi Services...4 Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)..4-5 Hotel Accommodations Hyatt Regency Columbus..6 Hotel Accessibility Common Areas 7-8 Room Accessibility..8-9 At the Conference Conference Accessibility Services Conference Accessibility Special Thanks...14

4 2 ARRIVING IN COLUMBUS PORT COLUMBUS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (CMH) 4600 International Gateway Columbus, OH Columbus has one major airport: Port Columbus International Airport. For more information about Port Columbus Airport, please visit ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES AT PORT COLUMBUS AIRPORT Port Columbus is ADA compliant and offers the service detailed below throughout the airport: Wheelchair or special assistance can be made several different ways: Wheelchairs can be reserved through the airline at the time of travel reservations via their 800 reservation line or their website. Wheelchairs can be arranged through the airline when in person at the ticket counter. Arrangements can also be made directly with the skycap providers: PrimeFlight Aviation Services at (614) for Southwest Airlines customers, and Huntleigh USA (614) for all other airlines. Parking: Designated handicap accessible parking spaces are available in all of our parking lots and garage. All passenger shuttle buses are equipped with lift gear to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs and electric scooters. Restrooms: Family restrooms are conveniently located on the baggage claim and ticketing levels as well as in Concourses A, B and C. These facilities are for use by families traveling with small children, an elderly parent or someone with special needs/accommodations. All restroom facilities are fully equipped for wheelchair access. Signage: Braille signage is on each of the elevators and international symbol designations on all terminal signage. TTY/TDD Telephone: A portable TTY/TDD device is located at the Information Booth on the Baggage Claim level.

5 3 Visual Paging Displays: The Flight and Baggage Information Display System (FIDS/BIDS) monitors are capable of displaying visual paging (messages) for the benefit of the hearing impaired, when important information is being broadcast throughout the terminal. This paging is also available for passenger and public paging requests. Additional Special Services: Arrangements for assisted escort for the blind or other special assistance through the ticketing, security and gate process can be arranged at either the airline ticket counter or by contacting the skycap providers: PrimeFlight Aviation Services at (614) for Southwest Airlines customers, and Huntleigh USA (614) for all other airlines. For additional special assistance needs or services, contact the Columbus Regional Airport Authority Customer Service Team at (614) TSA HELP LINE TSA provides a TSA Help Line to assist travelers planning to fly on any airline in the United States. TSA Cares is a help line to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. TSA recommends that passengers call 72 hours ahead of travel for information about what to expect during screening. Travelers may call TSA Cares toll free at prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures, and what to expect at the security checkpoint. TSA Cares will serve as an additional, dedicated resource specifically for passengers with disabilities, medical conditions, or other circumstances. In addition, travelers may also request a Passenger Support Specialist ahead of time by calling the TSA Cares hotline at The hours of operation for the TSA Cares Help Line are Weekdays 8 a.m 11 p.m. ET and weekends/holidays 9 a.m. 8 p.m. ET. Travelers who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to contact TSA Cares or can TSA- ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov. When a passenger with a disability or medical condition calls TSA Cares, a representative will provide assistance, either with information about screening that is relevant to the passenger s specific disability or medical condition, or the passenger may be referred to disability experts at TSA. GETTING TO THE HOTEL/CONFERENCE Hyatt Regency Columbus 350 North High Street Columbus, OH 43215, US The 2016 ASHE Conference and hotel accommodation will be located at Hyatt Regency Columbus which is connected to the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The Hyatt Regency is located in downtown Columbus.

6 4 Directions: From Port Columbus International Airport (7 miles): Take I-670 West to the Third St. Exit. Turn right at the first stoplight (Chestnut St.), turn right at High St. and right at Nationwide Blvd. Hotel is on the left. Multiple options for ground transportation are available at Port Columbus Airport. TAXI SERVICES You'll find taxis available on demand (no reservation required) in the ground transportation area of the terminal on a 24-hour basis. The electronic meter will be activated to compute your fare from Port Columbus International Airport. The approximate fare into downtown Columbus is $25. CENTRAL OHIO TRANSIT AUTHORITY (COTA) COTA s brand new AirConnect provides transportation from Port Columbus International Airport to downtown Columbus. The fare is $2.75 each way. Tickets may be purchased on the bus (with exact change) or with credit cards at a kiosk at the baggage claim level at the airport. Service runs every 30 minutes, 6 a.m.-9 p.m. seven days a week. Once you board at the airport, AirConnect takes you along the 10-minute drive to downtown Columbus, and drops you near the Greater Columbus Convention Center, which is connected to the Hyatt Regency. To return to the airport, find a nearby stop, pay your $2.75 fare, and ride back to the Departures level.

7 5 Directions to Airport COTA stop: From the airport - go to the North entrance just outside of baggage claim. Cross to the middle island. A kiosk is available for ticket purchase by debit/credit card Directions to Downtown COTA stop: From the Hyatt Regency Columbus - Exit the Hyatt lobby towards Nationwide Blvd, turn right and walk towards N High Street. Look for stop number 4094 (the Hilton is located diagonally from the stop) COTA provides these accessibility services: Fixed-route buses lower to the curb to make boarding easier. Vehicles have ramps that extend for wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Bus stops are announced and displayed onboard fixed-route buses, so you know the next bus stop. In addition, service animals are welcome on all COTA vehicles. To view the COTA AirConnect route: CLICK HERE.

8 6 HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS HYATT REGENCY COLUMBUS Hyatt Regency Columbus 350 North High Street Columbus, OH 43215, US Tel: Website: Much of the conference will occur in the Hyatt Regency Columbus and Event Center, with the opening session, some panels, and selected activities taking place at the Regency Ballroom, exhibit rooms, and meeting rooms. Hotel stay information is in the Hotel Accessibility section below, while conference specific accessibility information is available in the At The Conference section starting on page 10. For conference group rates, please book your Hyatt Regency rooms through the ASHE website HERE. Room rates and registration information is available here. Hotel Valet Parking is available. Off-site and additional parking provided by Convention Center underground garage is available. Visit the parking page for day and overnight rates. HOTEL ACCESSIBILITY The Hyatt Regency Columbus is ADA compliant, including Audio/Visual smoke detectors Restaurant and room service menus in Braille, Wheelchair accessible doors, Wheelchair accessible climate controls, Wheelchair accessible peepholes, Wheelchair accessible closet poles, Roll-in showers, Bathtub bench and grab rails, Raised toilet seats, Closed caption television decoder, Telecommunication device for the deaf, Telephone alerting device, Front door alerting device, Amplified telephone handset, Vibratory alarm clocks, Staff member proficient in sign language, Restrooms, Airport shuttle vans with chair lifts. There are accessible routes to meeting rooms, guest rooms, and hotel amenities such as restaurants and lounges, front entrance, and fitness center.

9 7 Hyatt Regency does allow canine travelling companions. Make sure to inform the hotel you ll have a pet/s staying with you at least three days in advance of your arrival. If the hotel does not have dog-friendly rooms available or cannot accommodate your pet/s, please contact the hotel ( ) for a referral to a reputable kennel*. For more information please refer to the hotel s pet policy. *ASHE does not endorse any services recommended by Hyatt Regency Columbus: Use at your own discretion. COMMON AREAS Lobby: The lobby and first floor of the hotel is largely tiled and without carpet. These areas can be slippery when wet. The lobby is fairly large and open which helps during high traffic times (such as the conference) to feel less crowded. This image depicts the hotel s lobby. An open area that is mostly tiled Wifi: Wi-fi access is available for free in all guest rooms and public areas Dining: The Hyatt Regency Columbus has several dining options, including the Market Stand Café, Perks, and Big Bar on 2.

10 8 Floors: Most of the hotel is carpeted. Carpets have a high density and a shallow pile. Guest rooms are all carpeted. Patterns may vary. Two examples of the carpet located throughout most of the hotel and conference hallways. ROOM ACCESSIBILITY Rooms: The Hyatt Regency has 15 accessible rooms with ADA accommodations with King/Shower, King/Tub, Double/Shower, Double/Tub room types. Each room features closed-caption television, cordless phone and standard fire alarm system with additional emergency strobe light and strobe-light smoke detector. This image the main bedroom area of an accessible room. Other Amenities include: ihome stereo with ipod docking station, 24-hour Concierge service, Data-port, Wireless high-speed Internet access, Individual air conditioning control, Voic , Individual heat control Bathrooms: Key entryway, bath, lighting and climate-control features are positioned at a lower height for ease of use. In addition, bathroom conveniences include wide doors, grab bars, and raised toilet seat.

11 9 These images show a tile-floored bathroom in an accessible room with a toilet against the back wall and a handrail on the right and an accessible shower. More Information: Please visit the hotel s accessibility page for more information on Hyatt Regency s services or visit the main hotel webpage.

12 10 AT THE CONFERENCE CONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES The 2016 ASHE Conference Committee is committed to making the 2016 ASHE Conference accessible for all attendees. If you need to request accommodations such as sign language interpreting that may require advance planning on the part of ASHE Conference staff, please contact conference coordinator Holly Schneider at They can best meet your needs when notified prior to September, Sign Language Interpreter and CART: Sign language interpreter and Computer Assisted Real Time Captioning (CART) services will be available on request. Please contact conference coordinator Holly Schneider at holly.schneider@unlv.edu to request either of these services. To learn more about sign language interpreters, visit this website for more information: For information about CART, click on this link: All-Gender Bathrooms: Two all-gender bathrooms will be located on the first floor on the northern end of the building between the Garfield and Taft C meeting rooms. Additionally, changing tables are available in the all-gender bathroom to the right (formally the women s bathroom).

13 11 Lactation Room: A lactation room will be available during the ASHE conference, it will be located on the 2nd floor near the Union rooms and convention center. Graduate Student Lounge: Graduate Student Lounge will be located in Room Nationwide A, First Floor. Although labeled for graduate students, the lounge is available to all at the conference and can provide a quiet, calm space where convention attendees can spend time away from the noise, lights, and other stimuli of conference spaces. Childcare Service: If you need childcare services during the conference please contact the hotel ( ) for a referral to a reputable childcare service or contact the 24-hour Concierge service during the conference.* *ASHE does not endorse any services recommended by Hyatt Regency Columbus: Use at your own discretion. CONFERENCE ACCESSIBILITY The Hyatt Regency Columbus Event Center is ADA compliant, including braille and visual signage compliant. In addition, all meeting rooms, restrooms, and phones are wheelchair accessible. All Convention Center events and sessions will take place on floors 1-3. Service animals are welcome. Elevator access is available to all convention events and sessions.

14 12 The Conference Ballroom: The 2016 ASHE Conference Opening Session and the Keynote Speaker Sessions will take place in the Regency Ballroom. The seats in the ballroom will be arranged in a theater style formation. The carpet on the floor and stairs of the ballroom is in a red and gray pattern with high density and a shallow pile. This is an image of the Regency Ballroom with theater style seating. The chairs are movable, padded, and red-cloth material chairs. The Conference Rooms: Breakout Sessions and Roundtable Sessions will take place in several different conference rooms on the first and second floor. Conference rooms may have round tables, rectangular tables, or rows of chairs. We will be participating in a preconference walk-through to verify these any additional requests. This image shows the Union B conference room with banquet style seating. Please contact Holly.Schneider@unlv.edu to request accessibility ramps for all raised tables in larger conference rooms.

15 13 The image is a room with four long, covered, rectangular tables adjacent to each other in a hollow rectangle seating configuration, and surrounded by moveable, black-cushioned chairs More Information: For a more detailed depiction of the hotel and conference rooms: Click Here. For more information on room capacity and configurations: Click Here.

16 14 THANK YOU SPECIAL THANKS Many thanks to the current and previous conference committee members, whose hard work continue to make this conference possible. Once again, if there are any questions or needs that have not been addressed in this guide, please feel free to contact us so that we may address your concerns individually. Sincerely, The Association for the Study of Higher Education Phone: (702) Heather Rowan-Kenyon, PhD 2016 Program Chair Kim Nehls, PhD Executive Director Holly Schneider, PhD Conference Coordinator