SIOP is striving for a more inclusive annual conference by providing the following offerings:

SIOP Family Care Grant

The SIOP Family Care Grant will provide $500 awards for up to 20 members who require caregiving support to facilitate their attendance in Chicago.
Additional details provided here: https://www.siop.org/Foundation/Awards/Conference-Awards

Accessibility

SIOP invites registrants with specific health needs or disabilities to request reasonable accommodations for the conference when registering for the conference and we will follow up with you directly to discuss your needs for the in-person and/or virtual formats.

All presenters are strongly encouraged to adhere to the Guidelines for Accessible Posters and Presentations that provides recommendations for preparing a successful and inclusive contribution to the conference. In addition, wherever possible, captioning and/or ASL interpreters will be provided (i.e., Opening Plenary).

Information about accessible public transportation in the city of Chicago is provided here:  https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mopd/supp_info/accessible_transportationinformationforpeoplewithdisabilities.html

The downtown area of Chicago also boasts an underground and covered overhead system of walkways called the Pedway that links over 40 blocks in the central business district. More information and a map is found here:  https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/ped/svcs/pedway.html

Accessibility information for the Hyatt Regency Chicago can be found here:  https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/chirc-hyatt-regency-chicago/hotel-info. 

Several companies in Chicago provide scooter and wheelchair rentals. Online booking is available through Cloud of Goods at https://www.cloudofgoods.com/chicago-il/mobility-wheelchairs-rentals/lightweight-transport-wheelchair-27 and for and for Scootaround at https://scootaround.com/en/chicago

Reception Accessibility Checklist - docx

Reception Accessibility Checklist - pdf

Conference Space Tours

For those attending in-person in Chicago, Conference Space Tours will be held 4-5 p.m. CT Wednesday, April 17, and 8:30-9:30 a.m. CT Thursday, April 18, for attendees to become familiar with the conference space. The tour will depart from the Hyatt Regency lobby promptly at 4 p.m. CT Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. CT Thursday. To confirm your attendance and request specific items for inclusion in the walk-through (such as gender-neutral bathrooms or a quiet reflection room), please complete this brief form. Completing this form is preferred, but not required; if you are unsure about your plans at this time, you can still join the tour without RSVPing.

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Finkelstein, lisaf@niu.edu.

On-Site Physical Spaces

The following physical spaces will be available to registrants who travel to Chicago:

• Reflection/Recharge Room
• Quiet Meditation and Prayer Room
• Lactation Room
• All-gender restrooms

Policies

All individuals engaging in the SIOP community, including the SIOP Annual Conference, must abide by and are subject to SIOP’s Anti-Harassment Policy. If harassment is experienced in the context of SIOP activities or programs, the Anti-Harassment Policy provides recourse for the impacted individual(s), including the availability of two SIOP Ombuds for confidential counseling on options made available through the policy.

To help ensure we are creating an inclusive environment, please reach out to conferenceinclusion@siop.org if you have any questions or concerns before, during, or after the SIOP Conference.