ABA is committed to making all of our events as inclusive and accessible as possible for all attendees. 

 

INSTITUTE ACCESSIBILITY & RESOURCES

Social Media

Want to share photos and updates on social media? Use our hashtag: #ABAChildrensInstitute

Please be sure to use pascal case (every word capitalized) as indicated so that screen readers are able to correctly interpret the hashtag. 

 

Session, Keynote, and Rep Picks Accessibility

Rep Picks, where attendees will hear “speed dating” style presentations from publishers about their books, are spread between several rooms instead of taking place in a single large space. Additionally, members with hearing, sensory, and/or processing needs may request access to the smallest Rep Picks spaces by contacting accessibility@bookweb.org. Space may be limited.

Closed captioning for Keynotes and Featured Talks will be available for attendees to access on their phones, and can be accessed via the provided QR Code in the printed program or the link in the event app. Speakers will be visible on large screens during the Keynotes.

 

Accessible Seats

There are 2–3 seats clearly marked at the front and 2–3 seats at the back of each education session which are priority seats for booksellers with accessibility needs. In addition to this, there will be two hightop tables in the back of each education session room for those who prefer to stand. 

 

Quiet Rooms

The Quiet Room is intended to provide a quiet, calm space where attendees can spend time away from noise, bright light, and other stimuli of conference spaces. Put your feet up and relax. This space is not available for conversations or meetings and is intended to be a place where individuals can go when feeling overstimulated.

C126, Level 1, OCC

  • Wednesday, June 11, 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm
  • Thursday, June 12, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Friday, June 13, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Saturday, June 14, 7:00 am – 4:30 pm

 

Bookseller Lounge

Sit and take a break from the conference in this space reserved for all booksellers.

VIP Suite B, Level 2, OCC

  • Wednesday, June 11, 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm
  • Thursday, June 12, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Friday, June 13, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Saturday, June 14, 7:00 am – 4:30 pm

 

Lactation Rooms

OCC provides two Mamava nursing suites for visitors. These private and secure suites are located near the A and E Meeting Rooms on Level 1. They are ADA accessible with a comfortable seating area and are equipped with standard AC power outlets and USB charger ports.

All Mamava suites come with a Bluetooth SmartLock that syncs with Mamava’s mobile app. Download the app at mamava.com/mobile-app.

 

"Isolation Pods"

There are six "isolation pods" available as quiet spaces as well. These pods are located on the second level behind the Oregon Ballroom. The pods are individual upholstered seats with a work surface and a covering that can be left open or closed for more privacy.

 

Water Fountains

There will be water fountains and bottle filling stations located around the venue. To view all the water fountain locations, view the OCC’s interactive map by selecting the “Water Bottle Filling Station” button on the left side of the page towards the bottom.

 

SANITATION & VENTILATION

The Oregon Convention Center (OCC) has long held a leadership role in green building and other environmentally responsible business practices, and has earned the LEED® Platinum, the highest level of certification.
The OCC’s environmentally-friendly cleaning policy complements the integrated pest management and the no-idling policy on the loading docks.

To learn more, visit oregoncc.org/about/sustainability.

The Hyatt has introduced a GBAC STAR accreditation through a performance-based cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention program that focuses on establishing hotel environments that are sanitary, safe, and healthy.

To learn more, visit hyatt.com/events/en-US/together-by-hyatt/sustainability

 

Oregon Convention Center in Portland

GENDER NEUTRAL & FAMILY RESTROOMS 

All-gender restrooms will be available at both the Hyatt and Oregon Convention Center.

All-user restroom signs will be posted on the following converted event space restrooms at the Hyatt:

  • Men's and Women's rooms by Deschutes Ballroom, Level 1 
  • Men's and Women's rooms in between Willamette Rooms 8 and 10, Level 2
  • Men's and Women's rooms near the Columbia Rooms, Level 3

 

All-user (all-gender) restroom signs will be posted on the following converted event space restrooms at the Oregon Convention Center:

  • Men's and Women's rooms near Oregon Ballroom 204, Level 2
  • Men's and Women's rooms near A101, Level 1 

All-user restrooms (all-gender single person) are also located near Oregon Ballroom 204, Level 2, and by the Holladay Suites.

 

ARRIVAL AND SETTLING IN

ABA encourages bookstore owners, managers, and others handling logistics to take the extra care necessary to ensure their staff or travel companions are set up for success upon arrival. This includes that attendees are aware of any hotel requirements related to check-in requirements for a legal ID that matches the room registration name, ensuring that disabled attendees have accessible rooms, and that attendees have either a credit card or a credit card pre-authorization on file with the hotel if their store is paying for them.

 

Venue Accessibility

ADA accessible rooms are available in our Hyatt Regency hotel block on a first come, first served basis. Attendees booking their rooms via the ABA hotel block booking link can contact the hotel directly for availability. Attendees who are having their rooms reserved for them by ABA should contact hotel@bookweb.org.

 

Hotel Reservations & Credit Card Holds

Booking accommodations on a company card? Contact the hotel ahead of time to arrange to submit a credit card pre-authorization if necessary. Doing so ahead of time makes sure all members of your party will be able to check in easily, even if the cardholder is delayed.

 

Checking in with Chosen Names

While we spend considerable time discussing our expectations with event and hotel staff and management in regards to gendered forms of address, pronoun usage, and guest names, in order to further support attendees and mitigate harm, we ask that store owners, managers, and other travel planners do their best to call ahead to address any potential registration concerns. If you are encountering issues when checking in, or otherwise while attending our event, please do not hesitate to contact  hotel@bookweb.org.

 

Cashless Property

Recognizing not everyone may have a debit or credit card, cash-only
guests may anonymously exchange their cash for a Visa card at a
Reverse ATM to use at the restaurant/cafe outlets, parking garage or
anywhere Visa is accepted. The Visa card may only be loaded one time
with a cash credit and is 100% fee free.
You'll find two Reverse ATMs located:

  • Pre-Function B Lobby
  • South Ginkoberry Concourse

 

Local Mobility Aid Rental

The Oregon Convention Center offers complimentary wheelchairs and electric convenience vehicles (ECVs). Supplies are limited. We recommend you reserve them ahead of time. 

  • Reservations may be made within 30 days of a scheduled event (with an estimated time of arrival) by contacting guestexperience@oregoncc.org or 503-731-7800.
  • If attending an event over multiple days, a separate reservation is required for each day. 
  • Reservations will be cancelled if not checked out within one (1) hour of scheduled reservation time.
  • No time extensions are allowed if it causes an overlap to another reservation.
  • Please be prepared to show photo identification when you stop by the welcome desk to check out a wheelchair or electric scooter.
  • Wheelchairs and ECVs may be returned at any point during the day to the welcome desk.

 
If needed, there are several other recommended mobility aid rental services in the area. ABA has a small fund to help attendees with the costs of wheelchairs and scooters on a first come, first served basis. Any attendees who would like to discuss using this fund should contact accessibility@bookweb.org. Requests will be fulfilled on a first come, first served basis. 

McCann’s Medical (Tigard)
15340 SW Royalty Pkwy, King City, OR
(503) 639-7378

McCann’s Medical (Gresham)
2600 SE 182nd Ave, Gresham, OR
(503)-492-7777

 

If you would like to discuss ways this event could be more accessible and/or inclusive, or if you have an accessibility question or need, contact accessibility@bookweb.org.