The following is accessibility information for 2024 Chicago Archives + Artists Festival: Embodying the Archive at the Experimental Station (6100 S Blackstone) on August 2, 2024 (5:30pm – 7:30pm CST), August 3, 2024 (5:30pm – 8:30pm CST), and August 4, 2024 (10am – 9:30pm CST). You can find additional information on the festival schedule here. If you have accessibility questions or requests, please contact us ASAP at info@sixtyinchesfromcenter.org.
Captions + ASL Interpretation
This event will take place in-person at the Experimental Station. There will be many panel-like conversations happening throughout the weekend and we will provide Live CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) for each of those discussions that can be accessed via website URL on your mobile device. QR Codes and links will be provided onsite at the event. Accessibility seating will be marked and reserved for those who need unobstructed access to these services. ASL Interpretation services can be requested by contacting us at info@sixtyinchesfromcenter.org.
Audio + Sound
Microphones and a PA system will be used during the event, and all speakers will be encouraged to wait for a microphone before speaking.
Video Documentation
We will not be providing live-streaming for this event, but we will have a professional videographer recording several of the panel discussions taking place at the festival. These will be made available for viewing at a later date, following the festival.
Masks + Air Purifiers
Masks will be required and we will provide free masks for those who don’t have one. While food and drinks will be provided, we ask that attendees wear their mask when not eating or drinking. We will also provide some HEPA air purifiers in the main event space. Attendees will also have access to the outdoor courtyard at Experimental Station. You can see videos of that space here.
Entrances + Restrooms
Experimental Station is a street-level multi-use space with a quirky and asymmetrical layout [map]. While the entrance is wheelchair accessible, there is a curb between the street and the door. The front entrance consists of one large door that is wheelchair accessible. Once you enter, there is 36″ wide ramp that leads up to the atrium, bathroom, kitchen, and main event space where the festival is taking place. All public events will take place on the first floor.
Experimental Station also has accessible restrooms, with entrances and stalls that are wheelchair accessible. Although the restrooms are usually marked gendered at Experimental Station, they will be marked gender neutral during the festival. You can see videos of these spaces here.
Main Event Space
Most of the workshops and discussions will take place in what we call the Big Room. For most workshops and discussions, chairs will be set up in a circular style to allow for group discussion and to disrupt the typical panelists/audience format. Accessibility seating will be marked and reserved for those who need easy and unobstructed access to a seating space that is comfortable for mobility devices such as wheelchairs and walkers. Also, if ASL interpreters are requested for the event, there will be seating marked and reserved for those attendees. The event takes place across morning, afternoon, and early evening, so the space will likely be lighted with a combination of natural light and warm and relatively low fluorescent and track lighting.
We also welcome you to make yourself comfortable in the space–feel free to move around, stand, sit, grab snacks, and visit the restroom as needed. Additionally, if you need to step out of the space to take a break for any reason, the Outdoor Courtyard can serve as a low-sensory space (see below).
Outdoor Courtyard Space
The outdoor courtyard space will be available throughout the weekend as a space of respite, discussion, and to get some fresh air throughout the festival. To access the courtyard from inside of Experimental Station, you have to enter through their kitchen, and then walk up one stair that is approximately five inches 5″ tall. Sixty is working to purchase and donate a ramp for their facilities to help make the space more accessible during and after the festival. You can see videos of these spaces here.