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SDS in Denver: An Access Guide This guide is intended to provide some tips and tricks as you navigate Denver for the Society for Disability Studies (SDS) conference. It is by no means complete; instead, it reflects my own experience roaming the area and assembling local resources. It contains sections on travel to Denver, the conference hotel, eating near the conference hotel, and things to do in Denver. I’ve provided hyperlinks in case you’re using it online (though I cannot verify that all links are to accessible sites).My overall statement about Denver is simple: it is very sunny, very dry, and the altitude is something to take seriously (drink about twice as much water as usual, even in the city). The people are a mix of West Coast, Midwest, and what I call “frontier,” so you never know what kind of friendly you might get. If you’ve got specific questions I might answer as a person who has lived in Denver for six years (and does not ski), do let me know.I hope this is helpful.Amy Vidali amy.vidali@ucdenver.edu TRAVELDenver International Airport (DIA) DIA is a large, modern airport with three terminals (A, B, C), as well as a main terminal for check in, baggage claim, and rental car check-in counters. When moving between the terminals, the only option is to take the tram (accessible by escalator or by elevator), except for a long, hard-to-find walkway between Terminal A and the main terminal. DIA can be a confusing airport. It’s not a bad idea to check out the lay-out of the airport, as well as how to find public transportation (shuttles, busses, etc.), which are on Level 5 (just outside baggage claim). If you have a friend picking you up, you can’t head out the doors from baggage claim – go down to Level 4 instead. Also, note that the main terminal area is divided into two sub-terminals – the West Terminal (red), which is United, American, and International, and the East Terminal (blue), which is all other airlines. When you are following the signs to baggage claim, make sure you are going to the right red or blue terminal, though you can easily cross the middle to the other terminal (once you figure that you are in the wrong baggage claim). There are typically older folks in cowboy gear trying to help you (these folks are hired by DIA), but there are also video screens in baggage claim. And yes, I have seen Temple Grandin in DIA airport before.DIA has its own Accessibility Page. This page contains general information about elevators, unisex restrooms, and accessible ground transportation. Also note that there is a Canine Relief Area in the airport.As a side-note, I’ve noticed that some of the TSA agents at DIA can be strange about refusal to use the new body scanners, and there is typically a lengthy wait (15-20 minutes) for the alternative, a hand-pat-down. So perhaps plan extra time on your way out if you plan to opt (or have to opt) for a pat-down.Getting to and From the Airport to Conference HotelDIA is not close to anything: it is situated at the end of a 12-mile exit of I-70, well east of town. It makes sense to try to plan transportation to hotels in advance, as there is no regular train/metro into the city, and busses can be tricky. All of the options below are accessed from Level 5 of DIA (baggage claim level).Taxis: Because the airport is so far from everything, it will be $60+, one-way, to get to the conference hotel (close to $50 if you’re going downtown). At the same time, public transit isn’t at all easy, so consider arranging to meet up and share taxis. Yellowcab Denver is 303-777-7777.Regional Transit District, or RTD, is in charge of bus and light rail service in Denver. RTD claims that all of its busses and trains are accessible, and the RTD accessibility site contains details. It’s not easy to take public transit to the conference hotel. But if you want to, use SkyRide. The nearest stop to the conference hotel is Arapahoe at Village Center Station, which is 3.5 miles from the conference hotel. From that station, you would ride the Light Rail to the Belleview station. You’ll exit the train and head toward the nearby overpass (not toward the fast food venues). There is a white tower with an elevator and stairs, which takes you up to the I-25 overpass (on a sidewalk). The conference hotel is the first building on the right over the freeway, around a bank of trees and grass. I don’t suggest going the opposite direction (toward fast food and under the freeway), as this involves navigating a busy and dark underpass and is longer. See more on Light Rail below.Super Shuttle provides reservation-based one-way and round-trip accessible transportation between DIA and the Marriott Denver Tech Center.?The cost of the 20 mile ride is $22.00 per person inclusive.?Advance reservations are required.Rental Car: If driving is desirable, rental cars can sometimes be as cheap as taxis to get around Denver. All rental companies have check-in counters in the main terminal area, and then shuttle busses head to off-site pick-up. Access-a-Ride: This service describes itself as being for those who are “unable to get to and from a bus stop or on and off a lift-equipped bus” by themselves, or those who “have a cognitive disability that prohibits [their] understanding of how to complete bus trips.” There is an application form on the website.Getting from the Conference Hotel to Downtown Denver on Light RailThe light rail will take you right downtown from the conference hotel. It runs about 5a to 2a Monday-Friday, and 8:30a-2a Saturday, Sundays, and Holidays, and the fares vary but are $5 or less each way. You’ll just need to reverse the directions above to get the the light rail from the conference hotel, by heading left out of the hotel, over the I-25 overpass, and down the elevator or stairs in the white tower to the light rail station. RTD provides a map of their light rail routes and light rail schedules, and the blue H or red F line will take you to popular downtown sites (while the purple E line swings out toward UC Denver and Lodo). CONFERENCE HOTELThe conference hotel is the Denver Marriott Tech Center, located at 4900 S. Syracuse Street (Denver, 80237). The Denver Tech Center, or DTC, is located about 13 miles south of Downtown Denver. As its name implies, it is in the “tech center” of Denver, and as such, is characterized by newer glass buildings and a somewhat corporate culture rich in happy hours (see DTC on Wikipedia). There are several other hotels nearby, including the DTC Hilton Garden Inn (.1 mi), which is a short, paved sidewalk jaunt away, and DTC Hampton Inn (.3 mi).Information about the conference hotel is available on the fact sheet. There are 11 floors with 616 rooms, 12 suites, and 22 meeting rooms. Wireless will be available in the general conference areas and hotel rooms for free, as part of the conference package. The website claims that the following areas are accessible: main areas, fitness center, business center, meeting spaces, pool entrances, and restaurant/lounge entrances. Accessible guest rooms have a 32-inch wide opening.The hotel has a sit-down restaurant and a grab-and-go type place. The Lift Restaurant is the sit-down restaurant with a bar, while the Front Range Deli is a place to grab coffee and a sandwich with limited seating. Both are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the menu for the Lift Restaurant is provided. The Lift restaurant provides some options that appear to be gluten-free, as well as a veggie burger and salads for those who are vegetarian. Vegan options appear more limited. The Lift Restaurant area of the hotel is technically wheelchair-accessible (it has a ramp), but has a lot of split-level steps and planters to navigate. The restaurant features various types of seating (including high-set chairs, booths, tables with chairs, and an outdoor patio), and would not likely be a particularly quiet place to eat, as it is in the airy center of the main hotel floor. See the Photos section.There is no free parking at the hotel. The rates for self-parking are $10 for 8+ hours or overnight, $8 for 4-8 hours, $6 for 1-4 hours, and free for less than one hour. Valet parking is the same rates, plus $5 at each level. There is a check-in parking booth and machine as you drive in, and there is ample disabled parking in the lot.My own stroll about the hotel grounds revealed a few things worth noting:The convention area of the hotel, and the two areas with hotel rooms, are connected and fairly easily navigable. The convention area is in the center of two banks of rooms. One set of rooms, to the left as you enter the main doors of the hotel, features four stories of rooms with inward-facing balconies that look down on the restaurant area and general gathering space. On the other side of the convention area (right as you enter the hotel) is a more traditional, 10-story tower of rooms. The conference area is in the center, so neither is particularly closer, and the front desk staff indicated that accessible rooms are available in both areas. I expect, though, that the rooms with the inward-facing balconies might be a little bit louder, but also probably brighter. See the Photos section.The entrance to the hotel has a disability door opener. The entrance to the convention center (which is connected to the hotel but can be accessed separately) does not. The entrance/check-in area has uneven floor tiles. There is a way around them once you’re in the hotel, but not if you go through the front entrance. The carpet in the other areas seemed somewhat thick to me and is brightly patterned. The conference hotel has agreed to go scent-free for the conference (particularly in the bathrooms, which was an issue last year).Like most places in Denver, the hotel is a bright space with various windows to let in light (except, of course, in the convention rooms). Those adverse to bright light might consider sunglasses inside, as you cannot escape Denver’s 300 days of sun.Throughout the common spaces of the convention area, there are various tables and chairs to relax. There is a fee-ATM available in the hotel foyer, as well as a salon.The fitness and pool area, in the back of the hotel, does not have a disability opener on the door but appears fairly accessible in the general work-out area. The pool does not have a lift, and the spa is raised above the ground and must be “climbed into.” The gym restroom has an accessible stall.The business center has five computer stations, including one that is at wheelchair level (not sure if it’s actually in the right place/level). There is a photocopier, where you can make 10 copies for free (then $.10 per page, though nobody is checking, as the front desk clerk noted).There are three elevators in the main area. The check-in counter is not wheelchair accessible. There is a grassy area to the North of the hotel. This area was suggested when I asked about relieving service and companion animals. The bathrooms in the main convention area have openers that can be activated. The bathroom on the North side of the hotel has an opener on the outside door, but then, no opener on the next interior door. There are diaper stations in nearly all the women’s bathrooms. FOODIn general, Denver has diverse food options, especially around downtown. While you are never far from a steakhouse or a sports bar in Denver, a little searching turns up international fare, vegetarian restaurants, and vegan options. As a gluten-free eater, I can’t say that every restaurant has great options, but Denver is fairly “health-food obsessed” as the “thinnest city in America” (eye-roll), so you’re not likely to run into anyone in the food industry who has not heard of veganism or being gluten-free. For foodies, the most diverse options are closer to downtown (10+ miles from the conference). Restaurants in the conference hotel are described under “Conference Hotel Information,” above.There are a series of places to eat if you head out the front doors of the conference hotel and to the right down Syracuse. The five listed below are are within .2-.5 miles on Syracuse (the road the hotel is one), and most links are to menus.India Tavern (5062 S. Syracuse St, .1 mi S of conference hotel): Many vegetarian options, some gluten-free options, $8.95 lunch buffet. Open Monday-Friday 11a-2.30p; 5-9:30p; Saturday-Sunday 11:30a-2:30p; 5-9:30p.Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant (5050 South Syracuse St., .1 miles south of conference hotel ): Traditional Mexican fare, grilled options, some salads. Shanahan’s Steakhouse (5085 South Syracuse Street, .2 miles south of conference hotel): Modern, trendy steakhouse, patio. Steak and fish entrees $35+; salads $9-12; appetizers $10-17. Limited vegetarian options, almost no vegan options. Reservations might be a good idea. Open Mon-Thu 5-10p, Fri-Sat 5-11p, Sun 5-9p.Woody Creek Bakery and Café (right next to Shanahan’s, see above): Sandwiches, salads, and wraps, $7-10. Wendy’s (5070 South Syracuse Street, .2 miles south of conference hotel): What you’d expect. Great Northern Tavern (8101 E. Belleview Avenue, .5 miles SE of conference hotel): Typical tavern fare, several salads, a little light on main entrees for vegetarians. Lunch and dinner entrees $9-15, steaks more. Open Monday-Saturday 11am-10p, Sunday 11a-9p.Darcy’s Bistro and Pub (4955 S Ulster St. #103, .5 miles east of conference hotel): Traditional Irish food, steak and seafood; trivia night on Saturdays, occasional karaoke nights; some salads, light on gluten-free, serves brunch Saturday/Sunday until 4p. Prices not listed but would guess $15 burger. Open 11a-2a (except Sundays 11a-midnight), kitchen open until midnight. Qdoba Mexican Grill (4955 South Ulster Suite 102): What you’d expect. The Original Pancake House (8000 East Belleview Ave., Suite F10, .4 miles SE of conference hotel): Boggling array of pancakes, crepes, waffles, omelets. Serves potato pancakes (gluten-free?). Open daily 6a-2p. Cool River Café (8000 E. Belleview Ave. Suite C 10, .4 miles SE of conference hotel): Somewhat trendy, not by a river. Steaks, salads, some pasta dishes. Lunch $12-25, more for steaks; dinner $25+ for entrees. Open for lunch Mon-Fri 11a-4p, dinner Mon-Sat 4-10p, Sunday 5-8p. Bara Sushi and Grill (8000 East Belleview Avenue # D50, .4 miles SE of conference hotel): Typical Japanese fare. A little spendy ($30+ per meal). Open Mon-Fri 11a-2:30p; Mon-Thu 5-9:30p, Fri-Sat 5-10:30p. Website launched a virus so visit yelp review for contact info.ACCESS & THINGS TO DOThe City of Denver provides its own Accessible Denver Website, which provides resources for those with certain disabilities, information on service animals, lists of hospitals, etc. (here’s a link to their map of downtown Denver). You might also be interested in the activities of the Denver Office of Disability Rights, and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, which provides its own access page. Of course, ADAPT is also a force in Denver and beyond.Below are some suggestions for things to do, should you leave the conference hotel area.downtownMost people who come to Denver end up downtown, strolling 16th Street Park, an outdoor mall (that is really pretty overrated), gawking at the large blue bear outside the Convention Center, and eating in hip “LoDo,” (Lower Downtown area), at restaurants such as Root Down, Lola, and Colt and Gray (and for a cheap and easy burger, try My Brother’s Bar, which has no sign, plays classical music, and sells girl-scout cookies). Downtown Denver also has the fairly-recently renovated Denver Art Museum (an incredibly bright space, be warned) and the trendy Museum of Contemporary Art. See the travel section for taking light rail to downtown.Access downtown can be mixed. Denver is an old city, and there are various cobblestone-type walkways made of flagstone, and various historic buildings that are not accessible. That said, signage isn’t bad and people downtown are typically willing to answer questions. other neighborhoodsA summary of Denver neighborhoods provides an overview. Hip areas include the Capitol Hill area, and the younger crowd tends to hang out on South Broadway, where there are both clubs and antiques. Five Points is filled with Victorian homes and hole-in-the-wall eateries, while Littleton and Stapleton represent established and up-and-coming suburbs, respectively. City Park is known for jazz in the Summer and also houses the Museum of Nature and Science.random suggestions around townIf you’re the kind of person who likes to drive around and get the feel of the city (from seedy to historic), take a long drive down Colfax Avenue, the longest commercial street in America (26 miles). Downtown, it’s home to restaurants and music venues, and as you head West, is punctuated with some of the oldest neon motel signs I’ve seen. As they say, anything you want (or don’t), it’s on Colfax.Denver has a bike-sharing program for those who are interested. If you’re in desperate need of gear, or just want to marvel at all the outdoor gear-heads in Denver, head to the gigantic Denver REI. It is near the Platte river, where it’s fun to watch people tube and kayak in the Summer (though personally, I would not get in that water).If you brew beer, or just like to drink it, Denver is your town. It is home to approximately 400 breweries (I made that number up), with in-town favorites being Amato Ale House (Breckenridge Brewery), Wynkoop Brewing (founded back when by now-Governor Hickenlooper), Great Divide Brewing, Pints Pub (specializing in cask-conditioned), and Strange Brew (which doesn’t serve food – most of the others do). Outside of town, there is the unusual Redstone Meadery and the ever-tasty Avery Brewing Company (both in Boulder).quick getawaysI think most of us expend all of our energy at the conference, but for those who are renting cars and attempting to “see the mountains,” there are a few quick trips you can consider. Here is a list of wheelchair-accessible trails in Colorado. The Cherry Creek Trail and the Platte River Trail are often used by commuters, but can be strolled as well. For an in-town getaway, Cherry Creek State Park is typically filled with campers (and has a day-use fee) but offers a lake for swimming and three ADA-accessible trails.Red Rocks Amphitheater is a “natural” amphitheater built into red rocks of the foothills (in the WPA era). The amphitheater is not wildly accessible, though most just look from the top and gander. Not easy to get to by public transit, but an easy drive. Quick eats can be found in the nearby town of Morrison. (Wilco will play two shows during SDS.)Chautauqua Park: Just outside Boulder (which is about 30 minutes Northwest of downtown Denver), with views of the Flatirons. Further out:If you feel the need to drive the highest paved road in North America and say you went to the top of a 14,000-foot mountain (known in Colorado as a “fourteener”), drive the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway. But beware – the thin air up there is intense, and the road is windy (and there’s a fee).Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers nice views, hiking, and camping. It’s 30 miles outside Denver, and the steep road to Panorama Point pays off with views of multiple peaks (map).Golden, Colorado has a downtown strip that is typical Colorado kitsch (the city slogan is, “Where the West Lives!”), and a nice river nearby. It’s about 15 miles from downtown.If you’re looking to drive for an hour or two and see some mountain views, Highway 285 provides a windy drive into the mountains and can drop you in the town of Evergreen. Then head North to catch I-70 back into Denver (which provides different mountain views and my favorite road sign, “Truckers you are not down yet. Another 1? miles of steep grades and sharp curves to go”).PHOTOSCAPTION: When you enter the conference hotel parking lot, you’re faced with a sign that is pictured above. It is made of red flagstone and says, “Marriott Denver Tech Center” and then has “Registration” with an arrow pointing to the left, and “Convention Center” with an arrow to the right. I think it’s easiest – and most accessible – to enter the hotel through the registration entrance. CAPTION: The photo above features a photo of one of two lodging areas in the conference hotel. The photo is of four stories of hotel rooms, facing inward into a courtyard. The rooms each have a balcony, with two white chairs and a small table. The ground floor is the hotel main floor, only partially pictured, and the sunlight streams in above the rooms, giving light to the main hotel floor. There is also a bit of a bronze elk in the shot, which is typically Colorado.CAPTION: This photo provides a view of the inward-facing “balcony rooms” (from the previous shot) in relation to the hotel floor and restaurant area. The picture above shows the balcony rooms in the background and a bronze elk in the foreground. In the center of the photo, there is a set of stairs leading to the restaurant, which features a wooden canopy over a scattered seating area. There are various fake and real plants. I provided this photo to give a sense of the airy nature of the restaurant, as well as the possible noise for those in the balcony rooms, or alternately, the lively nature of those rooms. CAPTION: This is a photo of the “tower” of hotel rooms, taken from the outside. There are ten stories of rooms with no balconies, and it’s a fairly bland, typical 1980s/1990s type of Marriott hotel tower. A bit of the convention center, and a lawn, is in the foreground. CAPTION: This is a photo of the uneven tile floor in the hotel foyer area. The tiles are variously shaped with large grouting in between. The entrance doors are also pictured.CAPTION: This is the light rail station, currently with some construction signs. It has a bridge behind it, with a white tower with an elevator and stairs, which lead up and over the interstate to the conference hotel. The light rail train is pictured to the right; it’s white and has a fairly simple station that is almost completely without shade. Clouds dot a blue sky. ................
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