Attendee Resources
Accessibility
The MLA is committed to making arrangements that allow all members of the association to participate in the convention. Write to Stacey Courtney (scourtney@mla.org) with questions and specific requests.
Accessibility Desk. There will be a desk in the MLA registration and welcome center and desks in the lobbies of the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown and Loews Philadelphia staffed with personnel who can assist convention attendees.
All-Gender/All-Access Restroom. In addition to wheelchair-accessible multi-stall restrooms at all venues, there are multi-stall, all-gender wheelchair accessible restrooms in the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (Level 5) and the Pennsylvania Convention Center (Level 2). Single-occupant restrooms are available in the Loews Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Visit MLA headquarters offices for details.
American Sign Language Interpretation and CART. Sign language interpretation and real-time captioning at the convention are scheduled based on requests received by 14 November. If resources are available, the convention office will make every effort to accommodate late requests. All presenters on sessions where ASL or CART have been scheduled are asked to provide copies of their presentations or talking points in advance for the interpreters' use.
Convention sessions that take place online will be set for automated captioning (viewable at the bottom of your screen) or automated transcription (viewable at the side of your screen). You may adjust these settings as desired on your own screen (click the CC box at the bottom of your screen for your options).
Sessions. The MLA requests that all session organizers and presenters take the necessary steps to make their sessions accessible to attendees with permanent or temporary disabilities. See the complete list of guidelines on the Access Guidelines for MLA Convention Session Organizers and Presenters page.
Communication and Presentation
- Speak clearly and distinctly, but do not shout. Use regular speed unless asked to slow down by members of the audience, sign interpreters, or persons using real-time captioning.
- Speakers should always repeat questions or statements made by members of the audience.
- In dialogues or discussions, only one person should speak at a time, and speakers should identify themselves so that audience members will know who is talking.
- Avoid speaking from a darkened area. Some people read lips, so the audience should have a direct and clear view of the speaker's mouth and face.
- Speakers are asked to bring five copies of their papers, even in draft form, for the use of members who wish to follow a written text. We recommend uploading those presentations to MLA Commons before the convention for easy and secure sharing.
- Speakers who use handouts should prepare some copies in a large-print format (14- to 16-point type size) and should indicate whether they want their papers and handouts returned. We recommend uploading those materials to MLA Commons before the convention for easy and secure sharing.
Prerecorded Presentations
- Caption your video in advance if you're able to.
- Describe all visuals in your video presentation. Some speakers might also elect to identify and describe themselves.
- Use a simple, sans serif font that screen readers can pick up easily.
- Avoid color backgrounds.
- Upload a copy of your presentation to MLA Commons before the convention.
Meeting Rooms. Meeting rooms at the convention are accessible by elevator, and the doors are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. Each meeting room is set up with empty spaces for individuals using wheelchairs or scooters. Please do not move chairs into these spaces. Please keep these areas and the aisles clear for persons who may be using wheelchairs, canes, crutches, or motorized vehicles. Space should be left around doors and aisles to allow access.
Hotel Rooms. To reserve hotel rooms that are specifically equipped for persons with permanent or temporary disabilities, participants must check the appropriate boxes on the convention registration and housing reservation forms or contact Stacey Courtney (scourtney@mla.org) by 14 November.
Service Animals. There are public parks at 12th and Chestnut Streets, North 15th and Market Streets, and North 15th and Filbert Streets that can be used for pet relief.
Transportation. SEPTA provides information about their accessible transportation services. In addition, convention registrants who need accessible transportation during the convention are eligible to be reimbursed up to $150 for rides taken between official MLA locations during convention hours (4–7 January 2024). Order taxis, including wheelchair accessible vehicles, at 215-Get-a-Cab, or reserve a ride through Uber or Lyft to request wheelchair-accessible rides (WAV). Receipts must include the travel date, time, and cost as well as the pickup and drop-off locations. Send your reimbursement request and receipts by 22 January to Stacey Courtney (scourtney@mla.org).
Scooter Rentals. To navigate the convention more easily, attendees can rent scooters in advance from Scootaround (888 441-7575).
Childcare
MLA members who are registered for the convention and use childcare services are eligible for reimbursement. The MLA has funds available for reimbursement of up to $400 each to registered members who use childcare during convention hours. If more requests are received than can be reimbursed with available funds, preference will be given to graduate students and members in lower-income categories.
Members should submit a request for reimbursement, along with supporting documentation such as a receipt from a childcare service, no later than 28 January 2024 to Karin Bagnall (kbagnall@mla.org).
Lactation Rooms. Room 404 in the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (Level 4), Room C in the Loews Philadelphia (Floor 1M in the low-rise elevators), and a Mamava Pod in the Pennsylvania Convention Center (Level 2) will be available during meeting hours for those who require it. Download the Mamava app to locate and access available Mamava pods.
Convention App and Online Program
The MLA 2024 convention app and online program provide easy access to the most up-to-date session information, maps, the list of exhibitors and exhibit hall events, and other convention details. Log in to the online program and app with your registration details to create a personal convention schedule and to communicate with fellow attendees, learn about session and schedule changes, and discover exhibit hall events and other late-breaking news.
Convention Guide
The Convention Guide, containing city and hotel maps and providing general information pertinent throughout the convention, will be available as a handout at the convention.
Friends of Bill W.
Room 502 in the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (Level 5) is set aside for the Friends of Bill W. throughout convention hours. Meetings are scheduled on 5 January (5:15–6:15 p.m.) and 6 January (3:00–4:00 p.m.).
Headquarters Offices
Members of the MLA convention staff will be available in the headquarters offices in the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (Conference Suite III, Level 3) and the Loews Philadelphia (Franklin, third floor) to handle problems that might arise with meeting rooms or meeting facilities. Program organizers are asked to refer questions on such matters to the headquarters office, not to the venue management. More general questions will be answered by staff members at the MLA registration and welcome center.
Lounges
Graduate Student Lounge. Conference Suite II in the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (Level 3). 4 January, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; 5 and 6 January, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; 7 January, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon. The Graduate Student Lounge is sponsored by the MLA International Bibliography on EBSCOhost.
Members' Lounges. Millennium Hall in the Loews Philadelphia (second floor) and seating areas in the Grand Hall of the Pennsylvania Convention Center (Level 2) are spaces with seating and tables available to all attendees to relax, recharge, and connect with others during convention hours.
MLA Registration and Welcome Centers
4 January, 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; 5 and 6 January, 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; 7 January, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon.
Visit the MLA registration and welcome center in the Pennsylvania Convention Center (Grand Hall, Level 2) for information about the convention and the association, registration and badges, and free copies of the Convention Guide.
Wheelchair Accessible Entrances
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Hotel’s main entrance on Filbert Street and the Level 3 bridge that connects to the Pennsylvania Convention Center
Loews Philadelphia. 12th Street entrance, near the valet parking and closest to the elevators
Pennsylvania Convention Center. The Marriott connector bridge and the Market Street entrance
Press Office
Members of the press who wish to cover the convention should contact the director of outreach by 2 January to obtain credentials and get assistance.
Quiet Room
Room P1 in the Loews Philadelphia (third floor) has been set aside to serve as a quiet room during convention hours. We invite convention attendees to drop in to this quiet space removed from traffic and noise. We ask that visitors to the room arrive fragrance-free and keep any discussion to a minimum and at a low volume.
Speaker Assistance
Speaker Ready Room. Room 405 in the Philadelphia Marriott (Level 4) has been reserved for speakers presenting in person to run through their audiovisual presentations before their sessions. Those who have computer presentations are strongly encouraged to test their presentations in the speaker ready room during convention hours. Please write to Deirdre Henry with audiovisual questions. Requests for audiovisual equipment were due 1 April; we regret that we are unable to accommodate late requests.
Assistance for Online Participants. Online sessions will take place on Zoom through the online platform. We recommend that online participants download the latest Zoom update and refer to Zoom’s quickstart guides and tutorials for the latest features and best practices. Please also refer to the Online Session Presider and Presenter Tips for detailed guidance. Be sure to join your session at least twenty minutes before the session start time to review any questions with the meeting tech (a staff member from our virtual event partner, Confex) and your fellow session participants. For more assistance visit the Virtual Help Desk.
Late Changes. Session organizers or presiders who need to request a late change or cancellation for their session should write to conventionupdates@mla.org. All requests are subject to review and cannot be guaranteed.
Staying Hydrated
Stay hydrated! Bring a water bottle and refill at the hydration stations.
Coffee! Visit the exhibit hall in the Philadelphia Convention Center (Ballroom Level) for complimentary coffee or tea on Friday and Saturday mornings beginning at 9:30 a.m. and while supplies last. Find additional refreshments in the exhibit hall and at exhibitor receptions. Check out the Philadelphia Coffee Map for additional local coffee spots.
Viewing Room
Salon E in the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (Level 5) has been set aside as a place for convention attendees to view online sessions during convention hours. Join other attendees viewing online sessions and discuss, bearing in mind that more than one session may be being viewed in this space; headphones are required. Bring your laptop, tablet, or smartphone; log in to mla24.org with your registration details; click the Join Now button; and join an online session without leaving the in-person convention. Online sessions are indicated with a globe-like virtual icon.
Wi-Fi Access
The MLA will provide free wireless Internet access in the convention meeting rooms and public areas.