Accessibility FAQ
UMAP2025 is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment and actively working to accommodate special assistance requests. This guide outlines the accessibility options available at UMAP2025, aiming to assist you in determining if the conference meets your accessibility needs. Should you have any inquiries not addressed in this guide, or if the described arrangements do not fully support your participation, we are committed to collaborating with you to facilitate your attendance to the best of our abilities.
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How do I communicate accessibility needs to UMAP2025 organizers?
At UMAP 2025, we are committed to making the conference inclusive and accessible for all attendees. As part of the registration process, you will find a question regarding any disabilities or special needs that might affect your access to the conference’s facilities and resources. If you respond affirmatively, a variety of accommodation options will be available for your selection, such as facilities for wheelchair users, sign language interpretation services, or personal guidance assistance. Individuals with accessibility needs are requested to register by May 16, 2025, to allow sufficient time for necessary preparations.
Once you’ve indicated your requirements, our Accessibility Chairs will be in touch to further discuss and ensure your needs are adequately met. Additionally, you can proactively reach out to them at umap2025-inclusion@um.org for any specific concerns or requests.
Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?
At UMAP 2025, we are committed to creating an environment that is welcoming and accessible to all. If you have specific accessibility needs or suggestions for improvements, we encourage you to reach out to our dedicated Accessibility Chairs. You can share your requirements or ideas by emailing us at umap2025-inclusion@um.org. Rest assured, your queries will be addressed promptly as we strive to ensure a comfortable and inclusive experience for every attendee.
Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?
The conference is committed to accessibility. While we are not able to provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation directly, attendees or groups requiring this service are welcome to arrange for their own interpreters. If you plan to bring an interpreter or have accessibility needs, please contact the Accessibility Chairs at umap2025-inclusion@um.org as early as possible to coordinate logistics. We will do our best to support on-site needs, including providing space or access as needed.
Can a student volunteer assist me during the conference?
At the conference, we will have student volunteers ready to help guests with disabilities. They can guide you around, assist with meals, and meet other accessibility needs. If you need this kind of support, please let us know when you register for the conference.
For those who need personal care support, we encourage you to bring your own assistant. Personal care assistants must register for the conference, but they can use a special code for this. Please reach out to our accessibility coordinators to get this code for your personal assistant.
What is the conference space like?
UMAP 2025 will be held at the Cornell Tech campus in New York City. For more details about the venue, including photos and amenities, please visit the Verizon Executive Education Center webpage.
Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?
For the Cornell Tech campus, the conference is accessible by wheelchair or power scooter. Accessible street parking is available, as are loading and unloading zones. All floors and restrooms are ADA accessible.
What are the restroom facilities like?
The restroom facilities on the Cornell Tech campus are ADA accessible.
What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?
The stages and podium locations differ between rooms. All stages are wheelchair accessible as they are equipped with ramps.
Can I bring my guide dog?
Yes! Guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at UMAP 2025. There are relief areas in the gardens outside the building. Please indicate on your registration form if you anticipate bringing a service animal to the conference.
Guide dogs are allowed to accompany you to “all areas of any facility where the public is normally allowed to go. An individual with a service animal may not be segregated from other people. Limitations are rare and only for those areas where health and safety may be compromised or where doing so would result in a fundamental alteration of the nature of the program, activity, or service.”
How much walking or standing will be needed?
All the conference rooms are in the same building. They are all directly accessible by wheelchair. If you have any accessibility requests, please contact accessibility co-chairs at umap2025-inclusion@um.org.
Will there be assistive listening devices or induction loops on site?
Yes, all presentation spaces at the conference venue are equipped with assistive listening devices. If you require access to these devices or need more information about how to use them, please contact the Accessibility Chairs at umap2025-inclusion@um.org. The Cornell IT teams will be available to assist with setup and usage as needed.
Will speakers and audience members asking questions be using a microphone?
Yes, microphones will be used for all speakers. Attendees with questions will be requested to use a microphone so that their question is more easily heard. There are wireless Q&A microphones for the session rooms.
What food service will be provided?
The conference will provide refreshments at morning and afternoon breaks. The venue will label vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. If you have other dietary restrictions, any of the catering staff are trained to ask the chef directly about any ingredient questions.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact accessibility co-chairs at umap2025-inclusion@um.org. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate these clearly on your registration form.
Can the conference accommodate special dietary needs?
Attendees who indicate special dietary requirements on their registration form will be provided with options when the conference catering does not accommodate them. If you have a severe allergy or special dietary need, please indicate this on your registration form. For more detailed information, please contact the accessibility co-chairs at umap2025-inclusion@um.org.
What about local food options?
The campus has a cafe located on site The Cafe at Cornell Tech – The Cafe at Cornell Tech. The Graduate Hotel has a restaurant and a bar on site, Graduate by Hilton New York Hotel near Cornell Tech. Roosevelt Island has other food options, restaurants, Italian, Asian, cuisine etc. and there are other restaurants in Manhattan that are an easy ride away on the Roosevelt Island Tram.
Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?
The campus is smoke-free.
Will there be loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, or other strong sensory experiences?
We are still gathering other information on sensory aspects of the conference. Participants will be requested not to use flash photography or to wear strong scents. Please indicate on your registration form if there are specific items you would like to know about in advance.
Please contact accessibility co-chairs at umap2025-inclusion@um.org as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.
What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during the conference?
Our security officers are fully trained in basic first aid, CPR and use of a portable AED. If needed, 911 will be called for an ambulance.
What if there is an emergency evacuation during the conference?
If there is an emergency evacuation during the conference, this will be indicated by fire alarms triggering with an audio tone as well as strobe lights. Flashing fire alarms are in all meeting rooms and common areas.
In case of emergency, it is recommended to follow the evacuation plan shown in the conference venue.
What should I know about the hotels?
Regarding the hotels, we recommend following the information we show on the Hotels page. For each hotel, the page lists the website, location, rates, hotel contact number, email, and description.
Credits to CHI 2020 and 2024 Accessibility Co-Chairs as well as UMAP Organizing committee