PLDI 2018
Mon 18 - Fri 22 June 2018 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
PLDI 2018 (series) /

Accessibility FAQ

PLDI 2018 is committed to providing an inclusive environment and we will do our best to accommodate requests for special assistance. This page describes the accessibility features of PLDI 2018, to help you make an informed decision about whether the conference will be accessible to you. Please contact us if your question is not answered here, or if the conference arrangements as described are not enough to allow you to attend. We will work with you to the best of our ability, to make the conference accessible.

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How do I communicate accessibility needs to PLDI 2018 organizers?

The Accessibility Chair for PLDI 2018 is Ugur Koc, whose goal is to ensure the conference is accessible to everyone. When you register for the conference, there will be a registration question labeled "Describe here any special accessibility or dietary needs.". In your response, please indicate any accessibility needs such as wheelchair access, sign language interpretation, or a guide. The Accessibility Chair will follow up with you to clarify your needs. You can contact them directly at any time by emailing ukoc@cs.umd.edu.

Who do I ask if my question is not answered here?

For more detailed information about accessibility at Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing please check the venue accessibility information page or contact the hotel on +1(215)521-6500 or email PHLPN-SALESADM@hilton.com.

If there is specific accessibility information you would like to see here, or if you wish to discuss any accessibility requirements, please contact our Accessibility Chair, Ugur Koc by email: ukoc@cs.umd.edu, and someone will respond to you shortly.

Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?

We are not able to provide these services. Please contact the Accessibility Chair to discuss further if you need such services.

What are the taxi and public transport options for getting to the conference venue?

From PHL Philadelphia International Airport, the easiest way to get to the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing is using a taxi. Please check PHL ground transportation page for phone, waiting lot information, wheelchair reservation, taxi companies that serve at the airport, and other accessible transportation options. Also check PHL getting around document including a map of the airport.

Recommended options for getting to the conference include:

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)

Airport Regional Rail Line
  • Route: to/from city center
  • Pickup point: Zone 1 outside the baggage claim at Terminals A-East, B, C, D and E (Terminal F passengers board/exit at Terminal E)
  • Cost: $8.00
  • Time: Every 30 minutes. Trains operate from Center City to the Airport between 4:25 AM and 11:25 PM, and from the Airport to Center City from 5:07 AM to 12:07 AM
  • Wheelchair accessibility: Yes
  • Walking and steps: accessible pedestrian walkways between the terminals and the baggage claim areas at Terminals A-East, B, C and D, and E (Terminal F passengers can access the train platform at Terminal E).
  • Service animals: Yes
  • Phone: +1(215)580-7700 - TDD/TTY 215-580-7712
  • Book: booking is not necessary
Accessible bus service
  • Route: 37 (to/from South Philadelphia), 108 (to/from 69th Street Transportation Center), 115 (to/from Suburban Square in Ardmore)
  • Pickup point: Zone 1 outside the baggage claim at Terminals A-East, B, C, D and E (Terminal F passengers board/exit at Terminal E)
  • Cost: $1.00 to $2.25
  • Time: Please check at SEPTA bus schedules
  • Wheelchair accessibility: Yes
  • Walking and steps: accessible pedestrian walkways between the terminals and the baggage claim areas at Terminals A-East, B, C and D, and E
  • Service animals: Yes
  • Phone: +1(215)580-7700 - TDD/TTY 215-580-7712
  • Book: booking is not necessary

Who can I ask about accessibility in Philadelphia?

For information about Philadelphia accessibility, including public transport, go to Philadelphia's Accessibility Compliance Office or contact Charles W. Horton Jr., Acting Executive Director and Accessibility Compliance Specialist, at +1(215)-686-2798 or TCCirs@aol.com.

Can a student volunteer assist me during the conference?

Student volunteers will be available to assist attendees with disabilities with navigation, meal service, or other accessibility needs. If you will need volunteer assistance at the conference, please indicate this on your conference registration form.

Attendees who require personal care assistance should bring their own assistant. Companions are required to register for the conference. Unfortunately, PLDI 2018 does not offer a companion rate. Please contact the General Chair Jeffrey S. Foster if this introduces a hardship. Companion travel grants may be available from SIGPLAN.

What is the conference space like?

For the overall layout of the venue, please refer to this map of the conference space.

All conference events are on the ground, 2nd, and 3rd floors of the hotel. On the ground floor, Admiral’s Quarters room will be used on Tuesday and Wednesday. On the 2nd floor, Columbus Ballroom, Grand Ballroom, USS Olympia will be used for meetings and lunch Monday through Friday. On the 3rd floor, Discovery A, B, and C rooms will be used for meeting on Monday and Tuesday.

Lunches will be provided in Grand BCD on Monday, in Grand CD on Tuesday, in Columbus Ballroom Wednesday through Friday (all rooms on the second floor)

For further queries on the venue, please contact PLDI’s Accessibility Chair Ugur Koc at ukoc@cs.umd.edu.

Please see our other FAQs for more details about wheelchair or power scooter access, provisions for presenters, restrooms, walking and steps, and facilities for assistance animals.

Will the conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?

Yes, the conference will be accessible to wheelchair users. Accessible routes:

  • From the accessible public entrance to the accessible guestrooms
  • From the accessible public entrance to the registration area
  • From the hotel’s accessible entrance to the meeting room/ballroom area
  • From the hotel’s accessible public entrance to at least one restaurant
  • From the hotel’s accessible public entrance to the business center
  • From the hotel’s accessible public entrance to the exercise facilities
  • From the hotel’s accessible public entrance to the swimming pool

For more information about wheelchair accessibility at Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, please contact Ugur Koc at ukoc@cs.umd.edu or the hotel on +1(215)521-6500 or PHLPN-SALESADM@hilton.com.

There will be no offsite events.

What are the restroom facilities like?

All restrooms have wheelchair accessible stall and grab bars. Restrooms doors at least 32 inches wide.

What are the arrangements for presenters with accessibility needs?

There will be no raised stages. If you would like a student volunteer to operate slides, or have other accessibility requests please contact Ugur Koc at ukoc@cs.umd.edu as early as possible.

Can I bring my guide dog?

Yes! Guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at PLDI 2018. Please indicate on your registration form if you anticipate bringing a service animal to the conference. There is a non-refundable $50.00 deposit. Pet bowls available upon request.

Can I attend the conference by robot?

We are sorry, but PLDI 2018 will not be able to accommodate remote attendance by robot.

How much walking or standing will be needed?

All meeting space is within the hotel with short walking distance. There is no steps/stairs between rooms on the same floor. There are elevators, escalator, and stairways to get to other floors of the conference area. There are accessible restrooms on all floors of the conference area.

All meeting rooms are equipped with chairs. Breakfast, coffee breaks, and drink reception / social hour are served cocktail style. Please contact Ugur Koc at ukoc@cs.umd.edu as early as possible if you have further questions or special requests.

Will there be an induction loop in the meeting rooms?

We are sorry, but PLDI 2018 will not have induction loop in meeting rooms.

Will speakers and audience members asking questions be using a microphone?

Rooms of less than 50 participants are not equipped with a microphone. Rooms of less than 100 participants are equipped with a microphone for Speakers only. Rooms above 100 participants are equipped with one microphone for the Speaker and microphones for the audience in the aisle. For further assistance, please contact Ugur Koc at ukoc@cs.umd.edu.

What food service will be provided?

The conference will provide lunches (more details on registration page). Dishes will be labeled. For more detailed information please contact Annabel Satin at annabelsatin@gmail.com. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate these clearly on your registration form.

Can the conference accommodate special dietary needs?

Yes. Attendees who indicate special dietary requirements on their registration form will be provided with special meals when the conference catering does not accommodate them. If you have a severe allergy please indicate this on your registration form. For more detailed information please contact Annabel Satin at annabelsatin@gmail.com.

Will the conference be a smoke-free environment?

Yes.

What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during the conference?

In case of emergency call 911 for an ambulance. The nearest hospital is 0.8 miles away (Pennsylvania Hospital). If you require non-urgent medical care, please contact Ugur Koc at ukoc@cs.umd.edu or ask any student volunteer. They will provide you with information about local doctors, specialists, chiropractors, etc. For non-resident attendees, buying travel insurance that covers medical expenses is strongly recommended as fees for emergency treatment can be very high.



This FAQ has been generated from a template provided by ACM SIGACCESS. Event organizers are welcome to modify and reuse this template for other events. Please contact SIGACCESS for more information.