Access and Accommodations
The El Conquistador Resort is wheelchair accessible. Lifts will be made available to guests who wish to use the pool and Jacuzzi.
Conference participants who wish to hire personal attendant services should ask for a list of local vendors at Registration. A few representative vendors have been e-maield to participants who indicated that they require assistance in seeking such services.
This program is available in alternate formats: on disk in text format, in large print, in Braille, or at the SDS website: www.disstudies.org.
Three Orientation and Mobility sessions will be offered on Wednesday, June 17: at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm for individuals who are blind, and at 12:00 pm for individuals who are low vision. Please meet at the registration desk.
Items for service dogs including water bowls, waste bags and pet treats are available in Turquoise I. We want to make sure all those participating in this year’s conference are comfortable in Tucson!
Accessibility in presentations is central to the philosophy of SDS. Presenters should explore ways to make physical, sensory, and intellectual access a fundamental part of their presentation. All presenters are required to, at minimum, provide e-text versions of papers in advance of the conference (for open captioning), large-print hard copies (18 point font or larger) of all handouts, hard copies or outlines of their talks in 12 point and 18 point fonts, audio description of visual images, charts, and video/DVDs, and open or closed captioning of films and video clips. Conference staff is available for assistance and questions regarding these requirements.
English and ASL are the two main languages in use at SDS. All conference sessions will feature ASL interpretation and captioning.
Coat and Luggage Check
Concierge services are provided through the El Conquistador. Hotel staff in the lobby is available to assist you.
Computer Access and Internet
Computers and printers are available in the hotel Business Center, located near the Turquoise ballrooms. Guests can use their room key to access these machines. Questions about rates and use can be answered by front desk staff.
Wireless internet is available at no cost in the hotel lobby, restaurants and pool area. Internet can be accessed through the Hilton in guest rooms for $9.95 per day, and in conference rooms for $25 per day.
Copying & Office Supplies
A copy machine is located in the resort’s Business Center, and the front desk can provide attendees with an access code. Pricing varies, and is competitive with Kinko’s pricing.
Various supplies are available in the resort’s gift shops, located off the lobby. Supplies for those presenting posters will be available during Poster Set-Up in session 10.5.
Food Services
A restaurant guide is included in the program, and features local and resort restaurants. Restaurants at the El Conquistador will have Braille and large print menus available upon request. Meals will also be provided at several conference events.
Safety and Emergencies
The El Conquistador is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for SDS conference attendees.
To report an emergency, use any house phone to dial 0 and be transferred to the hotel operator, or contact resort staff. Key resort staff is CPR certified. The resort has medical response plans in place with Golder Ranch Fire Department.
Transportation
SDS has worked with the El Conquistador resort to make special transportation arrangements for conference attendees. At the cost of $35 (plus tax) each way, the hotel will provide accessible transportation to and from the Tucson airport. All arrangements must be made no less than 5 days in advance; and appropriate forms must be filled out, giving the hotel details on your arrival and departure information as well as a credit card authorization form. To download the forms and to see instructions on arranging transportation, visit the travel/transportation page.