Convention Accessibility

The National Communication Association (NCA) is dedicated to ensuring a safe and accessible convention experience for all attendees. We collaborate closely with our convention venues and vendors to provide reasonable accommodations as needed.

 

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Accommodations for Attendees

To assist attendees with disabilities, we offer the following accommodations:

  • Sign language interpretation
  • Sighted guides
  • Wheelchair rentals
  • Accessible seating
  • Ramps and elevators
  • Quiet areas

 

Attendees are encouraged to communicate any specific needs when registering, making hotel reservations or arranging participation in program sessions and events. If you need accommodations, please complete our detailed accessibility request form by September 30 to ensure we can provide appropriate support. We’re committed to ensuring all attendees can fully participate. NCA staff will follow-up after this date to confirm receipt and to coordinate arrangements. Requests received after September 30 will be accommodated to the best of our ability, though advance notice helps us provide optimal support.

Venue Accessibility

  • New Orleans Marriott
    • Address: 555 Canal Street New Orleans, LA
    • Phone: 504-581-1000
  • Sheraton New Orleans
    • Address: 500 Canal Street New Orleans, LA
    • Phone: 504-525-2500

The New Orleans Marriott and Sheraton New Orleans are both fully accessible facility that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. The hotels feature accessible lobbies with appropriate thresholds and doormats, and door-service personnel are available. Restrooms throughout the facility are wheelchair accessible and have tactile signage.

New Orleans Marriott 

  • Entrances: Accessible via a small elevator lift at the main entrance on Canal Street; the parking lot entrance on Chartres Street is also accessible. 
  • Parking: Valet-only parking is available at the Chartres Street entrance. 
  • Guest Rooms: 34 accessible rooms, including six with roll-in showers. 
  • Restaurants: All on-site dining options, including 5 Fifty 5, 55 Fahrenheit, Canal Street Burger Bar, and Canal Street Pantry, are accessible. 

View Floorplan               View Virtual Tour     

Sheraton New Orleans 

  • Entrances: The Canal Street entrance has stairs with no ramp; wheelchair users should use the main valet entrance at Camp and Canal Streets. 
  • Parking: Accessible parking spaces available; enter on Camp Street. 
  • Guest Rooms: 84 accessible rooms, with options for roll-in showers or tubs. 
  • Restaurants: Accessible dining options include Roux Bistro, Starbucks, and Pelican Bar. 

View Floorplan               View Virtual Tour  

Booking Accessible Rooms

Use the official NCA convention booking link (room reservation will be available in July):

  • New Orleans Marriott
  • Sheraton New Orleans

When booking, please:

  • Select “Accessible Room” in the “Requests” section of the booking form
  • Use the “Additional Requests” box to specify any specific accessibility needs

To view available accessible room types and features, visit:

Important: Always book through the NCA convention link above to ensure you receive group rates and are counted in the NCA room block

 

Facility Accessible Features

Entrances:

  • Multiple accessible entrances throughout the property, including ADA-compliant main entrances.

 

Parking:

  • Accessible parking spaces available near entrances
  • Accessible spaces located conveniently in parking garages and surface lots
  • Van accessible parking spaces available
  • Self-parking: $33 per day, Valet: $48 per day

 

Guest Rooms:

  • 1,501 guest rooms and 114 suites total
  • Accessible rooms available with mobility and hearing accessible features
  • Options include rooms with roll-in showers and ADA-compliant bathrooms

 

Detailed Guest Room Accessibility Features

  • Mobility accessible rooms available
  • Hearing accessible rooms and kits available
  • Roll-in showers available
  • Accessible vanities
  • Adjustable height hand-held shower wands
  • Bathtub and non-slip grab rails in bathrooms
  • Toilet seats at wheelchair height
  • Lever handles on guest room doors
  • Lowered deadbolts, night guards, and viewports on doors
  • Self-closing guest room doors with safety chains/latches
  • Electronic room keys
  • Closed caption TV capability
  • TTY/TTD compatible phones
  • Alarm clock telephone ringers
  • Flashing door knockers for hearing accessibility

 

For detailed accessibility information about specific rooms or services, contact the hotels directly at the following:

  • New Orleans Marriott: 504-581-1000
  • Sheraton New Orleans: 504-525-2500

Local Resources and Transportation

Transportation from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY): 

  • Airport is 10 miles from the resort 
  • A-Line train service connects DEN to downtown Denver Union Station ($10 each way) 
  • All RTD buses are wheelchair accessible 
  • R-Line light rail serves Aurora with accessible stations 
  • Specialized accessible transportation available with advance notice:  
  • Metro Taxi: (303) 333-3333 (48-hour advance notice recommended) 
  • Denver Ambulette: (303) 493-1790 (24-hour advance notice) 
  • Mobility Transport Service: (303) 295-3900 (24-hour advance notice required) 

 

Local New Orleans Resources: 

 

Wheelchair/scooter charging station available in the exhibit hall. 

Mobility Equipment Rental Services

 

Total Access Mobility Services 

Address: 500 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130 

Phone: 504.534.3366  

Website: totalaccessmobility.com 

  

Mr. Wheelchair 

Address: 1201 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121 

Phone: +1.800.548.9672 

Website: mrwheelchair.com 

  

Mobility City of Greater New Orleans 

Address: 3501 Severn Ave, Ste 3B/C, Metairie, LA 70002 

Main: (504) 380-9031 | Direct: (504) 628-4610 

Email: michele.varon@mobilitycity.com 

Website: mobilitycity.com 

 

Important: Attendees are responsible for vetting and securing the services of mobility equipment vendors. NCA does not guarantee service quality. 

Convention Program and Support Services

Accessible Presentations 

Presenters are encouraged to review our guide on creating accessible presentations. Additional tips are available in the Convention Resources Library. 

If you would like to confirm the location and accommodations of your presentation room or a meeting room that you plan to visit, please contact the Convention Team. Room relocations/reassignments must be requested before August 19. 

 

Convention Program Access 

The NCA convention schedule will be available through an interactive website (in mid- to late-July) and mobile app (mid- to late-October), allowing attendees to customize their schedules and search for speakers. Free Wi-Fi will be provided for all attendees. The Wi-Fi network name and access key will be posted on signage throughout the venue and also available at the Registration counter and Information Center. 

To get support with the Convention program or app, visit the App Support Desk in the exhibit hall. A staff member or volunteer will help you with any questions. 

 

Supportive Accessibility Measures

  • Large-Print Schedule: Available upon request at the NCA Registration and Information Desks. 
  • Assistive Listening Devices: Available for General Sessions (Opening Session, Carroll C. Arnold Distinguished Lecture, and the Presidential Address and Awards Presentation) at the Registration counter. 
  • Captioning: Provided during General Sessions, with reserved seating for those needing closer access to speakers. 

Additional Accessibility Options

  • Quiet Room: Available during convention hours on Thursday – Sunday, offering a calm space away from noise and stimuli. 
  • Loud Noise: Some events at the convention will include music, amplified audio, or other loud noise. If you have sound sensitivity, you are encouraged to bring noise-cancelling earmuffs with you. 
  • Evacuation Assistance: Clearly marked areas of evacuation assistance will be available on each floor. If you need assistance locating this area, please contact an NCA staff member or hotel employee. In the event of a hotel evacuation during convention meeting hours, staff will check this area for attendees who require assistance. In the event of a hotel evacuation outside of convention hours, attendees who require assistance are instructed to remain in their guest rooms. Attendees requiring assistance should indicate this upon check-in. 

Health and Safety Considerations

  • COVID-19: Face masks are optional; please respect individual choices regarding mask-wearing. 
  • No Flash Photography: To accommodate attendees with photosensitive epilepsy, flash photography and strobe effects are prohibited. Also, some rapid audio beats can have a similar effect, so if in doubt, do not include such media in presentations. 
  • Fragrance-Free Spaces: The Disability Issues Caucuses designated room space at the convention venue will be fragrance free. For the health and safety of facilitators and participants, it is important that everyone come fragrance-free to the designated meeting space. 

 

Feedback and Communication

We welcome your feedback and encourage attendees to communicate their accessibility needs in advance. Please indicate any requirements for hearing, visual, or mobility accommodations when registering and on the Accessibility form (below), no later than September 30. 

 

Creating an Inclusive Convention Experience

The NCA Convention thrives on a culture of support and inclusivity. We encourage all attendees to assist those in need and to seek help from NCA staff or volunteers when necessary. Together, we can create a welcoming environment for everyone. 

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about accommodations, please contact convention@natcom.org. 

Accessibility Request Form

We’re committed to ensuring all attendees can fully participate in our convention. Please complete this form by September 30 to help us provide the best possible experience.