Training Accessibility Information

NeighborWorks America and its Training Division are committed to creating inclusive and accessible professional learning offerings. We welcome everyone to participate fully because your experience matters to us!

If you need accommodation, please let us know at least 30 days before an event or course starts. To ensure provider availability, we may need up to 75 days’ notice for services like American Sign Language interpretation. Rest assured, your request will be reviewed promptly and confidentially.

Submit your accommodation requests through:

Our training accessibility planning starts years in advance of our event and course delivery dates through: 

  • pre-planning 
  • faculty and vendor selection 
  • space and lodging planning
  • registration intake process
  • website development
  • course materials design
  • staff training
  • and more

PRE-PLANNING:

For venues: Our Meeting Services team examines all aspects of venue accessibility, including transportation to the venue, accessible parking, entranceway ingress/egress, ramps, elevators, seating, sound, accessible restrooms, universal access restrooms, lactation rooms, assistive technologies, safety planning, layout and more. 

For lodging: Our team considers the availability of accessible guest rooms, depth of tubs, roll-in showers, shower seating, shower chairs, bed height, refrigerators for medical necessity, safety planning and more. 
For in-person and virtual event registration and course delivery: We look at website and course materials accessibility and web standards, communications, Section 508 compliance including alt text, font size, color contrast, sound, closed captioning, device accessibility, sound quality and more.

For our staff: Our team comprises a diverse group of professionals with significant and direct experience in needing, advocating for and supporting accommodations for physical and mental health concerns, including certification as event accessibility strategists. We are continuously learning, revising and updating our processes to implement best practices and better address our attendees’ needs. 

WEB ACCESSIBILITY

We are committed to providing a website, courses and event delivery platforms that are accessible to individuals with disabilities. We conform with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 A and AA standards. When possible, we strive to meet AAA standards. Using automated and manual testing, we regularly evaluate our website and platforms according to best practices. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have difficulty using our website or platforms, please contact us for assistance. We welcome your feedback.

ADDRESSING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS:

We have many accommodations we already offer to make our professional learning as inclusive as possible. Our goal is to address a broad scope of accessibility needs as part of our event and course design for attendees with permanent or temporary disabilities so our participants can consistently rely on us. For other requests, we have processes and procedures in place, as well as a team of experienced staff who review the requests and work with our customers on how to best meet their needs.

Examples of accommodation we regularly support: 

  • Accessible lodging, parking, restrooms, seating, classrooms, etc.
  • Accessible registration desk or alternate check-in location
  • Advance electronic course materials upon request for use with e-reader
  • Closed captioning (when applicable)
  • Event pass for personal care assistant  
  • Dietary needs and food allergies
  • Service animal accommodations
  • Lactation rooms
  • Listening devices for large plenary/auditorium activities
  • Preferential seating based on your specific needs
  • Quiet space
  • Scent-free zones
  • Sensory lounge or sensory kits
  • Sound amplification 
  • Testing adaptation
  • Transportation: accessible shuttles and/or buses when applicable
  • Universal access restrooms

Most accommodation requests require 30 days advance notice so we can best meet your needs. In cases when contracting of services is required, such as for American Sign Language Interpretation, 75 days advance notice may be required.

Please note: The purchasing or rental of mobility and/or medical devices is the responsibility of the event registrant. Please see our event Travel and Logistics Guide for a list of vendors who provide related services where our events are hosted.