2017 Conference Accessibility Initiative

For the second consecutive year, the World Institute on Disability (WID) and JPMorgan Chase & Co. partnered with several civil rights and community development organizations to highlight conference accessibility.

Much like in 2016, in 2017, WID and JPMorgan Chase acheived this by providing accessibility enhancements, such as sign language interpreters, open captioning, accessible transportation, rented mobility devices, sighted guides, scholarships for Disability Ambassadors, and a disability concierge desk, as well as support and training for conference organizers, hotel staff, and A/V teams.

WID was delighted to partner again with captioner, Deanna Baker, who helped us ensure thousands of people experienced open captioning for the first time in 2016!

Organizations Served in 2017

If you haven’t already, be sure to visit our main Conference Accessibility Initiative page to learn more about our initiative.

Photo Galleries by Conference

Center for Financial Services Innovation
June 14-16, 2017

A group of seven people with varied disabilities and one service dog

WID staff and Disability Ambassadors at CFSI | Photo by WID

A large screen displays a slide about the Conference Accessibility Initiative

WID is grateful for CFSI’s partnership! | Photo by WID

On the desk are several handheld whiteboards with disability-positive writing on them

WID’s newest tool for breaking the stigma around disability. Photo anyone? | Photo by WID

A woman speaks to the audience with captions on the screen beneath her

CFSI’s President & CEO, Jennifer Tescher, talks about “why?” | Photo by WID

Three men sit on stage, large screens with captions on either side of them

A three-person panel speaks to the crowd with open captioning on either side of the stage | Photo by WID

Two WID staff members stand behind a desk

The Disability Concierge Desk at CFSI | Photo by WID

A woman and a man speak to the audience with captions on the screen beneath them

A Chase representative talks about the Conference Accessibility Initiative | Photo by WID

Captions at the bottom of the screen with a slew of words filling the rest of the screen in a polled response to the question "what's the first word that comes to mind when you think of 'back office'?"

Captions play well with all sorts of technology, including polls and word art, as shown here | Photo by WID

A man stands in front of the This Is Disability sign and holds a whiteboard that says the same

Disability Ambassador, Ivan Rivera | Photo by WID

A woman in a wheelchair sits in front of the This Is Disability sign and gestures to the word "quadriplegia" with her coffee cup

Disability Ambassador, Natalie Alden | Photo by WID

A woman on crutches stands in front of the This Is Disability sign and holds a whiteboard that says the same

Disability Ambassador, Susan Wang | Photo by WID

A woman in a wheelchair sits in front of the This Is Disability sign and holds a whiteboard that says "multiple disabilities"

Disability Ambassador, Yolanda Vargas

National Council of La Raza
July 8-11, 2017

A group of ten people, some with disabilities, and one service dog stand in front of the Disability Concierge Desk

WID staff, JPMC staff, and Disability Ambassadors at NCLR | Photo by WID

A woman on stage speaks into a microphone behind a podium

Naomi Camper from JPMC talks about the Conference Accessibility Initiative | Photo by WID

A golden retriever in red booties and a guide dog harness sits in front of a desk

Alabama the Guide Dog poses in front of the Disability Concierge Desk, sporting booties to combat the hot sidewalks of Phoenix, AZ | Photo by WID

A woman speaks to the audience with captions on the two large screens above her

NCLR’s President & CEO, Janet Murguía talks feminism legacies | Photo by WID

A man stands in front of the This Is Disability sign and holds a whiteboard that says, " #This Is Disability "

Friend of WID, Nicholas Love | Photo by WID

A woman stands in front of the This Is Disability sign and holds a whiteboard that says, " #This Is Disability Disabled Latina "

Disability Ambassador, Katherine Perez | Photo by WID

A man stands in front of the This Is Disability sign and holds a whiteboard that says, " #Deaf "

Disability Ambassador, Vernon McNece | Photo by WID

Disability Ambassador, Ralph Yaniz | Photo by WID

A woman with a white cane stands in front of the This Is Disability sign and holds a whiteboard that says, " #This Is Disability "

Disability Ambassador, Roxanne Torres | Photo by WID

A woman in a pink dress with a cast on one leg sits in an electric wheelchiar

Stephanie Pena, NCLR’s Voice of God, looks as good as she sounds | Photo by WID

A group of nine people sit around a round table and talk with one another

It’s always a fun time at the WID table | Photo by WID

A large group of people on stage grasp hands and hold them high in the air while "Unidos US" shows in large letters on the screen behind them

NCLR makes a big announcement about their new name: Unidos US | Photo by WID

NAACP
July 22-26, 2017

A group of six people with varied disabilities and one service dog stand in front of the Disability Concierge Desk

WID staff and Disability Ambassadors at NAACP | Photo by WID

A crowd shot, featuring several people sitting in wheelchairs and scooters

Many attendees use mobility devices to get around the venue | Photo by WID

A man speaks to the audience with captions on a small screen beneath him

NAACP Board of Directors Chairman, Leon Russell, greets the youth in the audience | Photo by WID

The Disability Concierge Desk at NAACP | Photo by WID

A woman signs on stage beside a speaker at a podium

An ASL interpreter in action at a plenary session | Photo by WID

A NAACP speaker talks about the importance of the youth | Photo by WID

Two men point at a screen while many other screens glow around them

Behind the scenes view of captioning at NAACP | Photo by WID

A crowd shot, featuring several scooters and walkers parked in the back of the room

Many attendees park their mobility devices in the back during plenary sessions | Photo by WID

A man in an electric wheelchair poses in front of the This Is Disability sign

Disability Ambassador, Frederick Graves | Photo by WID

A man holds up one hand, palm out, and stands in front of the This Is Disability sign; in his free hand, he holds a whiteboard that says, " #Lupus "

Disability Ambassador, Gregory Pickett | Photo by WID

A woman in a scooter poses in front of the This Is Disability sign

Disability Ambassador, Margrett Hardman | Photo by WID

A man with a white cane stands in front of the This Is Disability sign and holds a whiteboard that says, " #Blind "

Disability Ambassador, Robert Parsons | Photo by WID

National Urban League
July 26-29, 2017

WID staff and Disability Ambassadors at NUL | Photo by WID

A woman speaks into a microphone, and another woman signs to the crowd, while captions roll on a screen to the left

Lela Wingard from JPMC addresses the crowd, sharing the spotlight with an ASL interpreter and captions | Photo by WID

A group of six people sit around a round table and smile at the camera

It’s all smiles at the WID table | Photo by WID

A large wooden wall, painted with a tree and the words "Stay strong, Feruson" and "We are family"

NUL displayed many pieces of artwork from Ferguson at the convention center | Photo by WID

An ASL interpreter in action at a plenary session | Photo by WID

A man speaks to the audience with captions on a small screen beside him

NUL’s President & CEO, Marc Morial, thanks US Senators | Photo by WID

A laptop shows captions while several other screens and buttons glow around it

Behind the scenes view of captioning at NUL | Photo by WID

A large expo hall with many people; focus on two disability booths

WID worked with Paraquad and LINC, Inc. to bring independent living and disability resources to thousands on Community Day | Photo by WID

Disability Ambassador, Bobbi Pompey | Photo by WID

A man in a wheelchair poses in front of the This Is Disability sign and holds a whiteboard that says, " #This Is Disability "

Disability Ambassador, Shawn D’Abreu | Photo by WID

A woman stands in front of the This Is Disability sign and holds a whiteboard that says, " #This Is Disability "

Disability Ambassador, Diana Jordan | Photo by WID

A woman sits in a scooter and poses in front of the This Is Disability sign and holds a whiteboard that says, " #This Is Disability "

Disability Ambassador, Brenda Muhammad | Photo by WID

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
September 11-12, 2017

A group of five people with varied disabilities and one service dog stand in front of the Disability Concierge Desk

WID staff and Disability Ambassadors at CHCI | Photo by WID

CHCI’s President & CEO, Domenika Lynch, welcomes the crowd | Photo by WID

A group of three men sit on stage with captions on the screen to either side of them

A panel of three men speak about Latinos in sports | Photo by WID

A laptop screen shows captions rolling with the stage and audience behind it

Behind the scenes view of captioning at CHCI | Photo by WID

A burn survivor talks to the audience from the stage

J. R. Martinez, author, actor, veteran, talks about “dis’ing the ‘dis’ in ‘disability'” | Photo by WID

A group of seven people, some with disabilities, and one service dog

WID staff, JPMC staff, and Disability Ambassadors at an evening event | Photo by JPMC

The Disability Concierge Desk at CHCI | Photo by WID

A darkened room with several screens and captions at the bottom of each screen

A beautiful awards gala | Photo by WID

A man addresses a crowded, darkened room and can be seen on several screens overhead with captions at the bottom of each

Lin-Manuel Miranda, composer and actor, talks to the crowd about America being a beacon of opportunity for immigrants | Photo by WID

A woman poses with a whiteboard that says, " #Disabled and proud epilepsy brown ecofeminist "

Disability Ambassador, Jessica Jimenez | Photo by WID

A woman in an electric wheelchair poses with a whiteboard that says, " #Disabled People Can Make A Difference "

Disability Ambassador, Berenice Rodriguez | Photo by WID

A woman on crutches poses with a whiteboard that says, " #Krip Chicana Feminist "

Disability Ambassador, Alisha Vasquez | Photo by WID

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
September 20-24, 2017

A group of seven people with varied disabilities stand in front of the Disability Concierge Desk

WID staff and Disability Ambassadors at CBCF | Photo by WID

A panel of seven people sit on the stage, while two of their faces appear on two large screens with captions at the bottom

A panel discusses the importance of telling the African-American story | Photo by WID

A laptop screen shows captions rolling with several other monitors and the stage behind it

Behind the scenes view of captioning at CBCF | Photo by WID

A woman speaks onstage, while her face appears on large screens with captions above her around the room

CBCF Board of Directors Chair, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, welcomes the audience to the Prayer Breakfast | Photo by WID

A very large room with many people, dimmed lights, and a bright stage with many overhead monitors showing images and captions

It’s a full house at the Phoenix Awards Dinner | Photo by WID

A group of eight people sit at the dais, while one man addresses the crowd from the podium

Rodney Hood from JPMC welcomes the crowd to the panel session on disability, race, and financial inclusion | Photo by WID

Several people sit in the audience with their mobility devices

Many folks with disabilities were eager to attend the panel on disability, race, and financial inclusion | Photo by WID

A group of ten people, some with disabilities, and one service dog

WID staff, NDI staff, JPMC staff, and Disability Ambassadors at CBCF | Photo by NDI

A woman signs into the audience while captions roll on a screen behind her

An ASL interpreter in action | Photo by WID

Disability Ambassador, Kareem Dale, speaks on the panel | Photo by WID

A woman sits in a crowded room, typing into a stenography machine while the panelists speak

An in-person captioner captions the panel | Photo by WID

A woman signs to the panelists while a male ASL interpreter speaks her question into a microphone

The panelists take a question from a woman who uses ASL | Photo by WID

A woman in a wheelchair poses in front of the This Is Disabilitiy sign and holds a whiteboard that says, " #Disabled Black Girl Magic "

Disability Ambassador, Tatiana Lee | Photo by WID

A woman in a wheelchair poses in front of the This Is Disabilitiy sign and holds a whiteboard that says, " #Woman with a Disability "

Disability Ambassador, Tameka Citchen-Spruce | Photo by WID

A man with a white cane stands in front of the This Is Disabilitiy sign and holds a whiteboard that says, " #This is Disability #Canes Up "

Disability Ambassador, Tameka Dale | Photo by WID

Independent Sector
October 25-27, 2017

Two WID staff members site behind a desk

The Disability Concierge Desk at OCF | Photo by WID

A group of five people with varied disabilities and one service dog pose

WID staff and Disability Ambassadors at OCF | Photo by WID

A woman in a wheelchair poses in front of the This Is Disabilitiy sign and holds a whiteboard that says, " #This Is Disability Disabled & Proud O.I. Depression & Anxiety "

Disability Ambassador, Allie Cannington | Photo by WID

A woman with a white cane stands in front of the This Is Disabilitiy sign and holds a whiteboard that says, " #Blind #This Is Disability "

Disability Ambassador, Hindley Williams | Photo by WID

A woman stands in front of the This Is Disabilitiy sign and holds a whiteboard that says, " #ADHD is a superpower "

Disability Ambassador, Kathryn Poe | Photo by WID

Three people sit onstage with screens on either side of them showing captions on the lower third

Panelists talk while the audience enjoys a meal | Photo by WID

NeighborWorks America
December 11-15, 2017

Three WID staff members sit behind a desk

The Disability Concierge Desk at NeighborWorks America | Photo by NeighborWorks America

A man speaks onstage with two screens on either side of him, the two most outer screens sporting captions at the tops

Rip Rapson talks about why uncertainty is certain | Photo by WID

A large stack of books by NeighborWorks America on a table

A stack of NeighborWorks America books | Photo by WID

A woman sits in a scooter in front of a Christmas tree and holds a whiteboard that says, " #Chronic Illness "

Disability Ambassador, Jill Martinez | Photo by WID

A woman stands in front of a Christmas tree and holds a whiteboard that says, " #Nothing about us without us "

Disability Ambassador, Emily Lopex | Photo by WID

A man stands in front of a Christmas tree and holds a whiteboard that says, " #Mental Health Matters "

Disability Ambassador, Stephen Post | Photo by WID

Three people and one service dog stand in front of a banner that lists numerous ADA-covered disabilities

The WID team poses in front of the #ThisIsDisability banner | Photo by NeighborWorks America

Behind the scenes view of captioning at NeighborWorks America | Photo by WID

A woman speaks onstage with a screen of data and another screen of captioning to her right

Nela Richardson talks about the importance of data | Photo by WID

Five pop-up banners describe the day's symposium and some core values of NeighborWorks America

Colorful signage to keep attendees engaged | Photo by WID

Five people sit onstage with a screen of their names and another screen of captioning to their left

Panelists discuss entrepreneurial business change | Photo by WID

A group of five people with varied disabilities and one service dog pose in front of a Christmas tree

WID staff and Disability Ambassadors at NeighborWorks America | Photo by a friendly stranger

Main content end

Organizations Served in 2017

Photo Galleries by Conference

Center for Financial Services Innovation June 14-16, 2017

National Council of La Raza July 8-11, 2017

NAACP July 22-26, 2017

National Urban League July 26-29, 2017

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute September 11-12, 2017

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation September 20-24, 2017

Independent Sector October 25-27, 2017

NeighborWorks America December 11-15, 2017

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