MLA ’19 Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are the threads that strengthen the fabric of the Medical Library Association.
The Medical Library Association's (MLA’s) goal is to ensure that members, volunteers, and staff have a high level of awareness related to diversity, equity, and inclusion issues, and to ensure that our organizational behavior reflects the diversity of the profession and of those we serve at our institutions.
It is the policy of MLA to hold meetings, conferences, and professional gatherings where physical and communication barriers do not exclude people with disabilities from attending and participating. MLA is committed to making the annual meeting accessible to the widest range of people possible.
MLA is committed to establishing and maintaining equity, diversity, and inclusion to promote the common good and diversity in all association activities; address issues related, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, national origin, veteran status, social economic class, religion, and professional status; and coordinate educational resources and opportunities for our members.
Appropriate Conduct at MLA Meetings
To provide all participants —members and other attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff, and volunteers—the opportunity to benefit from the event, MLA is committed to providing a harassment-free environment for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, ethnicity, religion, or other group identity.
Please consult MLA’s Statement of Appropriate Conduct at MLA Meetings.
Accessibility Information for MLA ’19
Access to and between the Main Hotels
All MLA sessions will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
All public areas, lobbies, exhibit halls, and meeting rooms in the Hyatt Regency Chicago are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible. ADA features include accessible parking and restrooms, automatic door entrances, text telephone (TTY), payphone, and assisted listening devices. If you have requested ADA accommodations during the registration process, please check in at the MLA Registration Center.
Note that there are no talking crosswalks (for those with visual disabilities) in the immediate area of the hotel.
ASL Interpreter Services
MLA provides interpreter services for attendees who request American sign language (ASL) interpretation in advance of the meeting. To request interpreter service, contact MLA at mlameeting@heiexpo.com no later than April 3 to ensure that MLA has sufficient time to arrange for appropriate interpreters. If members inform MLA about their anticipated attendance at particular sessions, MLA staff will connect interpreters with session moderators to secure advance copies of any materials they might have.
Gender Identity
People identify on a broad spectrum of gender identities, including male, female, non-binary, and more. It is important to remember that gender identity is not visible. It is an internal sense of one’s own gender. At MLA ’19, attendees will have the option of selecting personal pronouns on the registration form, and your pronouns will be visible on meeting badges.
All Gender Bathrooms
MLA is committed to making the meeting accessible and welcoming to all of our community. All gender bathrooms are an important part of making MLA ’19 more inclusive, with signage on the doors saying “All Gender Bathroom: All Genders Welcome.” All gender bathrooms will be available at the MLA ’19 headquarters hotel.
Nursing Room
MLA will provide a room with electrical power, a refrigerator, and a locking door for nursing parents who attend MLA meetings. Please visit the MLA Registration Center for access to the room.
Onsite Accessibility Issues
Should you encounter an accessibility issue at MLA ’19, please contact meeting management staff in the Registration Center at the annual meeting so that they can resolve the issue.
Ramadan
Ramadan is a month of prayer and dawn-to-dusk fasting for millions of Muslims around the world. Ramadan begins at sunset on Monday, May 5, and ends at sunset on Tuesday, June 4.
For Muslim attendees, the MLA ’19 Hospitality Desk will have information to assist you during your stay and will include a list of halal restaurants (some with takeout and delivery options), information on area mosques and more.
In-room refrigerators are available at no charge upon request. It is recommended that guests call the hotel in advance of check-in at 312.565.1234 to request a refrigerator. Room service hours are 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.; however, Market Chicago is open 24/7 in the main lobby of the hotel. Microwaves are available 24/7 in Market Chicago.
Wheelchair or Electric Scooter Rental/Delivery
Attendees who wish to rent a wheelchair or electric scooter for use during the Annual Meeting are welcome to contact the following providers to arrange for service. They suggest you make your reservation as soon as possible to ensure availability. Price and availability depend on which model is needed for your particular needs.
- Scootaround: 888.441.7575, www.scootaround.com
- Howard Medical: 773.278.1440, www.howardmedical.com/rentals/
- Choice Mobility: 847.278.9906, www.choicemobility.com
Diversity in Programming
MLA supports an inclusive learning environment where diverse perspectives are recognized, respected, and seen as a source of strength. Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in all aspects of programming are vital to the future viability, relevance, and sustainability of the profession.
MLA embraces a notion of an intellectual community enriched and enhanced by diversity along a number of dimensions, including race, ethnicity and national origins, gender and gender identity, sexuality, class, and religion. These themes are interwoven across the seven areas of practice with robust programming throughout the meeting.
This year’s program is built around MLA’s seven professional practice areas, with balanced content across those areas:
- Information Services
- Information Management
- Education
- Professionalism and Leadership
- Innovation and Research Practice
- Clinical Support
- Global Health and Health Equity
View programming by topic area.
Annual Meeting Program Accessibility
MLA is committed to building an exemplary community that offers a nurturing and challenging intellectual climate, a respect for the spectrum of human diversity, and a genuine understanding that our many differences—including race, ethnicity, gender, age, socioeconomic status, national origin, sexual orientation, abilities, and religion—enrich our vibrant community.
Access to a high-quality education is critical to our membership. MLA works to ensure that all attendees, including those with disabilities, have equal access to this important benefit.
Accessible Presentations
MLA encourages all presenters to make their presentations fully accessible to attendees with disabilities.
Program Access
In the event of a scheduling conflict, your registration provides unlimited access to all the online annual meeting content through May 2020. Exclusive and on-demand access to online meeting content includes:
- video of all plenary sessions, generally posted 24 hours after the live event;
- PowerPoint slides with audio for available contributed content sessions, usually posted by 48 hours after the presentation;
- over 200 posters in the Online Poster Gallery; and
- ability to view programs by topic or competency area.
Meeting registration provides unlimited access to all the online meeting content through May 2020 using the online meeting program or in the MLA ’19 Meeting App.