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Accessibility

Accessibility icons for closed caption video, mobility scooter, guide dog, accessible sleeping rooms, and sign language.

ALA works to make sure that your experience will be a pleasant and accessible one!

Below are the features in place to support and encourage a welcoming environment for all at the ALA Annual Conference. 

In order to give us time to make appropriate arrangements for your visit, please submit your requests before May 31, 2025.

 

  • We caption our main sessions, (e.g., Opening, Closing, President’s Program, Council Meetings, and other sessions, as requested by organizers).

  • Our shuttle bus company offers accessible buses. Instructions on how to obtain your ride are available in each hotel and in the convention center.

  • Service animals of all kinds are welcome throughout the conference.    

  • We provide accessible sleeping rooms in our hotel block. Rooms for the deaf, blind, and attendees in wheelchairs will be made available.
  • Just check the box on your housing form and an onPeak representative will contact you to make sure you are placed in an appropriate room.
  • A limited number of large print program guides featuring main stage, education, and presidents & chairs programming

Mobility Assistance

Based upon availability in each city, ALA maintains a limited number of wheelchairs and scooters on a first-come / first-serve basis for attendees who require mobility assistance.  ALA offers complimentary scooters to be used during regular session hours in the Convention Center.

Scooter pick up and drop off will be located in the Philadelphia Convention Center.  Please see the attendant for assistance. You will be asked to sign out and return the scooters daily with the attendant.  Any scooters returned past the closing time noted will be subject to a $25 fee.

If you would like to reserve a scooter prior to the show, please request one during registration. Reservation requests cannot be taken after this deadline. However, additional scooters may be available onsite for use during the conference based on availability.

Scooter hours coming soon. 

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters

Conference Services coordinates interpreting services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. To use the service, Interpreter requests should be made prior to conference attendance while registering.

An interpreter will also be on-call in the Conference Services Office in the Convention Center, Thursday through Monday.  Services are available on a first-come / first-served basis.

Mothers Room

There will be a private and comfortable space allocated to nursing mothers in the Convention Center.

Philadelphia Convention Center Accessibility

The Philadelphia Convention Center is dedicated to providing all guests with a safe and enjoyable experience. In April 2025, it became the first convention center in the United States to become Sage Certified. Sage Inclusion offers accessibility certification and training for organizations as part of its mission of promoting accessible and inclusive travel to global destinations. As part of the certification process, Sage Inclusion conducted an assessment and on-site inspection of the facility to evaluate the Center’s compliance with national and international accessibility standards.

Accessible Parking

  • Learn more about Accessible Parking
    Note: The Convention Center does not have parking directly associated with the Center, but guests are welcome to use any lot they deem appropriate and nearby.

Accessible Restrooms

  • All public restroom facilities at the Pennsylvania Convention Center are accessible for our guests and compliant with ADA standards.

Elevators

  • All elevators provide our guests with special needs access to each level of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Service Dogs

  • Trained and certified guide dogs or service animals for guests with disabilities are permitted.