ABA works to make our conferences accessible, which means making our spaces, information, and activities available to all. We commit to planning our events and making arrangements that will allow attendees to participate in conference events. In line with this commitment, it’s our goal to make every Institute a safe, comfortable, professional, and welcoming environment.
We work toward accessibility in all steps of our event planning, beginning with our venue selection all the way through our post-event survey. We take our commitment seriously and meet it in many ways: providing accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), building a robust program for our diverse community, planning sessions with different learning styles in mind, working to keep costs as low as possible, and offering scholarships, to name a few.
We recognize not all disabilities require accommodations, and some are invisible. We also recognize that access goes beyond ability, and includes creating an event space where all are welcomed and respected.
All accessibility requests are arranged through our dedicated email accessibility@bookweb.org. Requests received ahead of the event help us to plan far in advance and build a better experience.
While attendees generally make requests ahead of the Institute, don’t worry! If you need immediate assistance, please email accessibility@bookweb.org. We will work with you on how to best support you on site.
BEFORE ARRIVAL
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.
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
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 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 accessibility@bookweb.org.
Event Venue
Winter Institute 2027 programming will take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) and the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. There are elevators and escalators available near all stairs.
ADA-accessible rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis across all hotels within the ABA hotel block. 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.
Meals
All Wi2027 breakfasts and lunches will be vegetarian (might include eggs, honey, and dairy) as part of ABA’s commitment to reducing our carbon footprint. If your diet requires a vegan selection or an animal protein selection, please indicate that on your registration form.
Please reach out to accessibility@bookweb.org for any additional dietary restriction requests. While we are limited by our venue’s menu options, we make efforts to provide allergy-friendly meal options when available.
Local Mobility Aid Rental
There are several recommended mobility aid rental services in the area. ABA has a small fund to help members with the costs of wheelchairs and scooters on a first come, first served basis. Members who would like to discuss using this fund should contact accessibility@bookweb.org.
Minnesota Mobility Supply & Rental
Hours: Monday thru Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Saturday + Sunday by appointment
Contact: brian@minnesotamobilityrentals.com
Address: 2369 Tart Lake Road, Lino Lakes, Minnesota 55038
Phone: (612) 482-5900
mnmobilitysupply.com
Mobility equipment is also available to rent at MCC Visitor Information Center located on Level One at the main entrance. They have both power-operated vehicles (scooters for $50/day) and manual wheelchairs ($20/day). Attendees can call 612-335-6040 to check on availability. All transactions must be processed with Visa, MasterCard or Discover. Checks and cash cannot be accepted.
INSTITUTE RESOURCES & ACCESSIBILITY
Social Media
Join the conversation! Share Institute photos and updates on social media using our hashtag #ABAWinterInstitute.
Please be sure to use PascalCase (every word capitalized) as indicated so that screen readers are able to correctly interpret the hashtag.
Session, Keynote, and Rep Picks Accessibility
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.
Rep Picks, where attendees will hear “speed dating” style presentations from publishers about their books, are spread between several rooms, including classroom style sessions. 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.
Education Materials
Slide decks for all education sessions and keynotes are available on the Wi2027 app and website, to allow attendees to view the slides on their personal device (phone, tablet, or laptop) if they have trouble viewing the larger screen. For maximum viewing comfort, attendees are encouraged to bring laptops to education sessions.
Fast Pass
The Fast Pass allows attendees with limited mobility to enter the front of buffet lines and author signing lines. ABA staff members will be available throughout the event to offer support for Fast Pass holders.
Lend each other a helping hand! If you see a fellow attendee with a Fast Pass sticker on their badge, make room for them or help them get to the front of the line. And remember, someone’s need for a Fast Pass may not be visible.
Please contact accessibility@bookweb.org for Fast Pass requests. Attendees can also request a Fast Pass at the Welcome Desk.
Additional Hours
Some Institute programming features additional hours for attendees who require more time to move around the conference space. Please contact accessibility@bookweb.org for all additional hours requests.
Accessible Seats
There are 2–3 seats at the front and 2–3 seats at the back of each education session, which are priority seats for booksellers with accessibility needs. These seats are labeled Accessibility Seating. In addition, there will be two hightop tables in the back of each education session room for those who prefer to stand.
Quiet Room
202A, Level 2, MCC
Thursday, February 11 - Saturday, February 14: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday, February 15: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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. Take a break and relax! This space is not available for conversations or meetings.
Bookseller Lounge
Sit and take a break from the conference in this space reserved for all booksellers.
200A, Level 2, MCC
Friday, February 12: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday, February 13: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, February 14: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
All-User & Family Restrooms
MCC: There are gender-neutral family bathrooms located on Level Two, Level One and the Lower Level. All bathrooms include accessible stalls.
- Lower Level: Next to Exhibit Hall A (Near the elevator)
- Level 1: Near Meeting Room 101 J
- Level 1 (Lobby B): Between Exhibit Hall B & C
- Level 2: Near Meeting Room 202 B
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis: Accessible, single-occupancy restrooms are located at the following locations.
- Main Level: Next to the main elevators, the business center, and Prairie Kitchen & Bar.
- Fourth & Fifth Floors: Adjacent to the Great Lakes Ballroom and the Boundary Waters Foyer.
Lactation Lounge
MCC: There are two designated lactation lounges available on level two of the MCC.
If you need access, please stop by the Visitor Information Center or call the Command Center at 612-335-6040 for assistance.
Water Fountains
MCC: There are over 40 bottle filling stations throughout the MCC public spaces. These touchless, eco-friendly stations are typically positioned just outside the main restrooms on all levels of the facility.
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis: The hotel provides purified water stations and large water dispensers in the main corridors and foyers.