Conference Accessibility Information
MPSA is committed to making our annual conference accessible to the widest range of people possible. MPSA can make arrangements for sign-language interpreters, CART equipment, and sighted guides for registered attendees during their presentations. Registrants may make a formal request prior to the conference by calling MPSA at (812) 558-0588, Ext. 1 to speak with the conference team or emailing mpsainfo@mpsanet.org.
Accessibility arrangements must be made at least four weeks prior to the conference. Attendees who do not make arrangements for services or equipment can inquire at the MPSA Conference Registration Counters onsite. Every reasonable effort will be made to assist attendees onsite however, MPSA may not be able to provide all services or equipment due to availability or the time required to obtain them.
All presentations and sessions should be designed and conducted with the full participation of all attendees in mind. Please pay special attention to members of the audience with disabilities and be aware that registrants with disabilities are to be given priority seating. Every session room will be set to accommodate wheelchair access.
Hearing Impairments: Participants may request a sign language interpreter or CART equipment for the MPSA Conference. Please contact us no later than four weeks prior to the first day of the conference to request accommodation. The MPSA will cover the expense of sign language interpreters for your presentation session(s). Additionally, MPSA will also have a few personal audio amplifiers available at the Conference Registration Counters on a first-come, first-served basis that must be returned to the Conference Registration Counters at the end of each day.
Visual Impairments: Should you require assistance to navigate the MPSA and have a personal aide who will accompany you to the conference, you may register your aide as a complimentary guest. Please contact a conference team member to register your personal aide. If you need MPSA to arrange for an aide to help you navigate the meeting, please make your request no later than four weeks prior to the first day of the conference. MPSA has magnifying sheets available at the Conference Registration Counters for those that require larger print. The online conference platform is compatible with screen readers. To expedite access to your personal conference schedule, please click here and log in with your MPSA account credentials.
Mobility Constraints: Due to the size of the MPSA Conference, sessions are spread out and distances between sessions can be considerable. If you anticipate needing a mobility scooter during the conference, we recommend reserving one in advance through the following provider: https://scootaround.com/en/83rd-annual-mpsa-conference.
Accessible Transportation: Shuttle service will be available between the conference headquarters and the Chicago Hilton hotel. Registrants with mobility issues who are unable to utilize the MPSA shuttle buses may utilize cab service and MPSA will reimburse for taxi fares between the two properties.
Accessible Housing: All ADA-designated hotel rooms in the official MPSA hotel block will be specifically set aside for individuals requesting them.
Food Allergies: All MPSA hosted events will have food labeled by the facility, so that attendees may avoid allergens.
All Gender Restrooms: Gender-neutral restrooms are located on the on the 6th floor near the Grant Park Parlor, on the 4th floor near the Red Lacquer room, and on the lobby level near the hotel registration desk. The restroom facilities are available for use by all persons, regardless of their gender identity and will be marked on the door. Please help make these facilities and this meeting an inclusive space by respecting the rights of all genders.
Nursing Mothers’ Room: MPSA has designated a room for attendees with lactation needs. Please see the Conference Registration Counters for access.
Information for Presenters:
Reaching Participants with Vision Impairments:
- Briefly describe your PowerPoint slides.
- Avoid pointing to something on the slide and using words like “this, that, those, or these”, unless you indicate what “this” means.
Reaching Participants with Hearing Impairments:
- Speak audibly and clearly at a moderate pace. This practice promotes understanding in the audience and allows sign language interpreters time to translate what you are saying.
- Look at your audience rather than your screen or your paper. Keep your hands away from your mouth so that people who speech read can understand you.
- Ensure that only one person speaks at a time by asking members of the group to wait until they are acknowledged before commenting or asking questions.
- Before you begin speaking, make sure that the sign language interpreters have a copy of your presentation.
- Do not walk in front of interpreters while they are signing.
- When you address a person using an interpreter, speak directly to the person, not the interpreter.
If you have any problem or negative experience related to accessibility, including issues with housing, meeting sessions, or any other accessibility-related issue, please report the issue to the MPSA staff at registration or email the MPSA Conference Director at speelmon@mpsanet.org.
An MPSA team member will record the concern and will help to resolve issues whenever possible. By informing us of any concerns that arise, we can work toward making the MPSA Conference more accessible to all.
Navigating the Palmer House
The Palmer House is a nostalgic and historic property that has ornate architecture and design. The original Palmer House hotel in Chicago was destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire on October 9, 1871, just 13 days after opening. A second hotel was completed in 1875 and the current third structure erected in 1925. As a result, the Palmer House is unique in that both the third and fourth floors have “half” floors, sometimes making it difficult to navigate. To assist attendees in traversing the Palmer House conference floors and rooms, floorplan maps and information on elevator and floor accessibility are below.
Floorplan Maps
The floors of the Palmer House that host MPSA conference sessions, meetings, receptions and events are: the Lobby Level, 3rd floor, 4th floor, 5th floor, 6th floor, and the 7th floor. When navigating the conference meeting room floors of the Palmer House, reference these floorplans, also included in the conference app as well as on each floor by the Main Elevators:
How to Access MPSA Conference Floors
The Main Elevators access the:
- 3rd floor upper level (rooms located on the upper level are: Ashland, Congress, Cresthill, Crystal, Harvard, Indiana, Kimball, Logan, Madison, Marshfield, Wilson)
- 4th floor upper level (rooms located on the upper level are: Red Lacquer, and State and Grand Ballrooms). Stairs are located on this half floor, leading down to the 4th floor lower level and the Exhibit Hall. Stairs are also located on this half floor, leading to the 5th floor.
- 6th floor
- 7th floor
The State Street Elevators access the:
- 4th floor lower level (room located on the lower level: Exhibit Hall). There are escalators on this half floor in front of the Exhibit Hall that lead down to the 3rd floor upper and lower levels.
- 3rd floor lower level (rooms located on the lower level are: Salons 1-12), and the 5th floor.
For stair access to the 3rd floor, 4th floor, 6th floor, and 7th floor meeting spaces, use Staircase 4, located near the Main Elevators.
For stair access to the 5th floor, take the staircase located by the State Street Elevators on the 4th floor, lower level near the Exhibit Hall.
From Guest Rooms to the MPSA Conference Floors
Take the Main Elevators to the 4th floor. MPSA staff are stationed outside of the Main Elevators at the Conference Information Booth to assist with any questions you may have regarding access to different meeting rooms or floors in the hotel. Registration and on-site check-in and badge pick-up is located in the Red Lacquer room. MPSA staff are also available at the registration counters in the Red Lacquer room, should you need assistance.
Locations providing wheelchair/ADA lift elevators:
- Pool and Fitness Center on the 8th floor: wheelchair lift inside to access both areas.
- Empire Ballroom: wheelchair lift on the west side of the Ballroom near the Lockwood restrooms.
- Honoré Ballroom: wheelchair lift on the north side of Honoré staircase. (Lift may be accessed through automatic sliding door.)
- Potters’ Restaurant: upper bar may be accessed using automatic doors to the right of the Potters main entrance. (Ramp leads to upper bar area.)