We believe interdependence and mutual care are crucial for our collective liberation. We are exploring how to make the virtual AMC as accessible as possible, while recognizing that access needs are ever-changing. 

Accessibility at AMC2020 will include:

• ASL/VRI interpretation, CART, and simultaneous Spanish-English interpretation will be provided for the Opening & Closing Ceremonies, Community Dinners, Motor City Street Dance Academy Youth Event, & Plenaries
• ASL/VRI interpretation, CART, and Spanish-English interpretation will be available upon request for Session Blocks and Community Meet Ups
  • Please note: for Session Blocks automated captioning will be used unless CART services are requested for the particular session
  • Session blocks with ASL/VRI interpretation, CART, & Spanish-English interpretation already requested by session facilitators will be indicated in the schedule and be updated accordingly
  • Once you have registered for the conference, fill out the AMC Access Service Request form to request accommodations for sessions.   
• Additional language interpretation can be provided upon request
• Pre-recorded media will be captioned in English when appropriate 
• AMC will work with speakers and facilitators and share best practices to create accessible presentations and sessions
• Alternative options for dietary restrictions or access to ingredients will be provided for Virtual Community Dinners

This year, we honor the legacy and profound impact of  Stacey Park Milbern, a Disability Justice leader whose commitment to ingraining collective access within the Allied Media Conference continues to transform our space and culture. Please see AMCs statement honoring Stacey Here. 

Please contact the AMC 2020 Access Coordinator, Ani Grigorian at accessibility@alliedmedia.org if you have specific requests, concerns, ideas, or experiences to share by July 17. Ani will respond within 1-2 days.

“In the disability justice community, access is a critical part of how all of us get free. In disability justice, access is about turning towards each other and figuring out how to collectively create an environment where everyone, especially those historically excluded, can participate.”

– Stacey Park Milbern

How you can support Disability Justice and Language Justice at the AMC:

At the AMC we encourage people to engage with their whole selves, not just with one part of their identity. Making it possible for everyone to do so is a collective effort. 

We are all managing different levels of pain, energy and screen-fatigue. People will also be participating from all different time zones and in multiple languages. There will be people with a variety of disabilities, from vision to hearing to neurodiversity and more. Many sessions and events will have ASL and language interpreters, and captioning. 

Here are some tips for how we can all support disability justice and language justice at the AMC:

Throughout the conference:

Avoid ableist and other harmful language – learn more here

When you speak, announce your name, share your pronouns, and describe yourself if your camera is turned on- some participants may be blind or have low vision.

Recognize that some people may be caring for children or for another person while also attending the conference, which may result in background noises or the need to suddenly step away. 

Speak loudly, clearly and at a moderate pace so interpreters can hear you

Be patient and ensure that only one person speaks at a time

Understand that language is sensitive and everyone has their own preferences Recognize the difference between identity-first and person-first language, especially when discussing disability. Note: many activists from the disability community prefer using identity-first language – learn more here.

During Sessions:

If you are comfortable, please use your camera, especially if you will be speaking as body language, facial expressions, and lip reading are important to many people

 Edit your name to include your pronouns by selecting “participants” -> find yourself -> select “more” -> select “rename”

Be patient with the tech if you notice any issues with folk accessing interpretation or the interpretation tech isn’t working, please let the Radical Hospitality Host/tech support know

Understand that there is a wide variety of ways that people communicate, process information, and express themselves. If you mention something verbally, follow it up with a written message

Tech notes for accessibility and language interpretation:

For screen-reader users working Sched: adding items to your schedule and navigating the event information seems to work best using the Schedule app with an iPhone. Please reach out to accessibility@alliedmedia.org if you need additional support.

Unless you understand both English and any other languages present in the session, you may have to pick a channel to listen and participate in your language of choice

To “pin” a video for ASL interpretation purposes – click on the three dots near your name and select “pin video”

• Live captioning may be available in a pop-up, external browser window depending on the type of captioning being used for each session – check with your facilitator and Radical Hospitality Host

Understand that interpretation is for everyone. In a space where multiple languages are being used, interpretation is equally as important for participants using dominant languages as for folks who express themselves in other languages.