Accessibility at DrupalCon

Inclusivity is incredibly important to us at the Drupal Association. As part of our organizational value of respect, we state: “We respect and value inclusivity in our global community and strive to recognize, understand, and respond to its needs."

But we believe that actions speak louder than words, and that’s why we’re pleased that DrupalCon will be so friendly to our community members who may require assistance or have certain accessibility needs during the events.

The Los Angeles Convention Center is fully ADA compliant, and as part of our commitment to a fully accessible DrupalCon, we are providing Assisted Listening Service (ALS) Devices at this DrupalCon. Some of the other ways we help out at every convention include:

• We have the ability to provide C.A.R.T. services and sign language interpreters on request.

• For attendees in wheelchairs, we are happy to arrange for reserved parking spaces in addition to the convention center’s current handicapped parking areas.

• There are ‘reserved’ signs in the front of the keynote and in every session room so that sight and hearing impaired attendees may sit near the front to see the screen and hear the speakers, if they wish.

When it comes to navigating the physical space of DrupalCon, we’ve put together a guide for our attendees who may have questions or concerns. For clarity's sake, there is a map of the main level and first level down beneath this blog post.

The main entrance to DrupalCon is through the West Lobby, which you will find directly next to the Staples Center. When you enter the lobby, you will see a set of staircases and escalators directly in front of you. To your left is the elevator, which will take you up to the main floor.

Registration for DrupalCon will be found on the main level directly up the hallway from the stairs and escalators, next to a second set of stairs and escalators that will take attendees up to the first level, where sessions and BOFs will occur. For attendees who prefer to use elevators, an elevator is positioned to the immediate right of the doors leading in to the main expo hall, which is directly behind the stairs and escalators leading to the first level.

The expo hall is past the registration booths, underneath the stairs and escalators that lead up to the first level. All of our sponsor booths can be found in the expo hall, as well as daily lunches and free coffee.

Keynotes will occur in the plenary, which is directly to the left of the expo hall, on the opposite side of the doors from the elevator.

Sessions and BOFs will take place on the first level, which can be accessed by stairs and escalators throughout the convention center, or by elevators located at the front of the lobby and next to the expo hall. There are a series of rooms immediately surrounding the second-floor wall of the expo hall, and more rooms back in the direction of the lobby, down the concourse to the left of the entrance doors.

Restrooms can be found throughout both levels of the convention center, and are located as follows:

• In the concourse foyer to the left of the lobby on the main level.

• Also on the main level, there are men’s and women's restrooms down the hallway on either side of the entrance to the exhibit hall.

• Three restrooms can be found near the front (parking lot-facing) wall in the meeting room concourse on the first level.

• Men’s restrooms can be found on the far end of either hallway that stretches along the second-floor wall of the expo hall.

• Women’s restrooms are directly opposite the men’s restrooms, close to the wall that faces the lobby.

It is worth noting that restrooms in the building are labeled “men” and “women.” There are no gender-neutral or family restrooms in the convention center.

Elevators are located throughout the convention center. As previously stated, there is one in the lobby, one next to the expo hall, and a third elevator next to Room 503, beside the Women’s restroom on the first level.

Do you have a question that we neglected to answer? Maps will be available in your program guide and on signs in the convention center; there will also be event staff and volunteers present to give directions and act as guides, if need be.

We hope that this accessibility guide helps you, and are looking forward to seeing you in Los Angeles next week. Travel safely!