Accommodations
SACNAS is committed to fostering an accessible and fulfilling experience for all NDiSTEM attendees. Below is detailed information on various topics to ensure your needs are met. If you have additional requests, please reach out to us at reg@sacnas.org.
The Greater Columbus Convention Center is highly accessible for attendees. Efforts are made to ensure that everyone, regardless of varying needs and abilities, can experience events in a seamless manner.
Service and Accommodation Requests
If you would like to talk with someone to request accommodations please check the accommodation request box during the registration process and a SACNAS staff member will follow up with you, or you can email reg@sacnas.org. Advanced notice is necessary to arrange some accessibility needs.
Dietary
If you have dietary considerations are registering for the NDiSTEM conference, please check the dietary box during the registration process. Gluten free (GF), vegan (V), and vegetarian options will be available.
Closed Captioning of the Plenary Session
The plenary sessions will have closed captions streamed to monitors located near the front of the stage. Closed captions can also be viewed in the conference mobile app. This service is always available and does not require a request.
ASL Interpreters
To ensure availability, ASL interpreters must be requested no later than 3 weeks before the start of the conference. Be sure to check the accommodation request box during the registration process so that a SACNAS staff member can follow up with you.
Session Speakers and Research Presenters
It is common practice for rooms used for sessions, grad oral presentations, and postdoc orals to have a head table for speakers on a raised platform accessible via a few short steps. Be sure to check the accommodation request box during registration so a SACNAS staff member can follow up with you. Or contact sessions@sacnas.org to request an accommodation.
Dedicated Quiet Room
SACNAS provides a dedicated quiet room where attendees can rest, recharge, or take exams. This room is located at TBD and is open during conference hours.
Nursing Pods
The Greater Columbus Convention Center has a designated nursing room located on the Central Atrium. They also have family restrooms located in Upper A-Pod (behind room A-210) and another in the Center Lounge restrooms near the South Café & Marketplace. These single-use areas are equipped with a seat, electricity outlets and a lockable door. SACNAS does not provide childcare services during NDiSTEM; view our Family Participation Policy here. Attendees requiring assistance with childcare should contact their hotel concierge.
Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter Accessibility at the Greater Columbus Convention Center
If you need a wheelchair, the venue has a limited number of manual models available to borrow. please contact Public Safety directly at (614) 827-2547 to make arrangements. A member of the Greater Columbus Convention Center Public Safety Department will bring the wheelchair to you. They do ask that you exchange a photo ID for the wheelchair, which will be returned to you when you are done using the chair.
The Greater Columbus Convention Center have electric scooters available to rent through theirPride Ride program. You can reserve a scooter by calling 614-827-2531 and paying by credit card. For pricing visit their guest services center. Their staff can also provide a list of companies that rent electric wheelchairs if you wish. Please note advanced reservations are encouraged for scooters and/or wheelchairs. Wheelchair and scooter rentals are subject to availability. It’s recommended to reach out well before the event.
Elevators
In the North Building there are five elevators listed below, you can find an interactive map of the Convention Center here.
- A Pod Elevator (located near the A Pod meeting rooms)
- B Pod Elevator (located near the B Pod meeting rooms)
- D Pod Elevator (located near the D Pod meeting rooms)
- Union Station Ballroom Elevator (located near the Union Station Ballroom and the High Street entrance)
- Short North Ballroom Elevator (located near the Short North Ballroom and the North entrance)
Certified Sensory Inclusive Facility
The Greater Columbus Convention Center staff are certified to recognize guests with sensory needs and handling sensory-overload situations. Sensory Bags equipped with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads are available at our Guest Service Centers.
Guests can download the free KultureCity mobile app to view the sensory features available at the convention center and the social story providing a preview of what one can expect when arriving to the convention center.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome at NDiSTEM. To ensure adequate space is available for your service animal (such as pet relief areas), be sure to check the accommodation request box during the registration process so that a SACNAS staff member can follow up with you. Under ADA regulations, the definition of a “service animal” is limited to a dog or a miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the animal must be directly related to the person’s disability. Under the ADA, “comfort”, “therapy”, and/ or “emotional support” animals do not qualify as service animals.