The 2008 Democratic National Convention is coming, and the Disabled Politico Team will be attending and live-blogging from the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Convention is sure to be a historic event, and so too will be Barack Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field. If you have an opportunity to attend, here's what you need to know about disability, accessibility, and the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We hope to see you there!
Disability Advisor Becky Ogle
Becky Ogle is Senior Advisor on Disability for the Democratic National Committee. Her responsibilities include acting as a liason between delegates with disabilities and the DNCC. Ms. Ogle is also responsible for ensuring that accomodations are made for attendees with disabilities so that they may fully participate in all Convention activities. In other words, when it comes to disability and the DNC, the buck stops here.
If you have a question or concern about accessibility at the Convention and aren't able to find the answer here, don't hesitate to contact Becky Ogle at ogleb@demconvention.com. Ogle has spoken with disability advocates around Colorado and emphasizes her committment to making the 2008 Convention the most accessible and integrated nominating convention in history.
Obama's Acceptance Speech: Ticketing and ADA Requests
If you'd like to be among the 75,000 people who will watch Barack Obama accept the Democratic nomination for President at Denver's Invesco Field, you'll need to act quickly. Go to http://co.barackobama.com/invesco or call (888) 468-7404. The deadline to apply for credentialing (tickets) to the Invesco speech is 9 PM on August 12th, but if organizers are swamped with more requests than tickets available before the dealine, credentialing will end early. It's best to apply right away. Becky Ogle suggests that people with disabilities should apply for their credentials online to ensure that the request for ADA accomodations is received.
If you require ADA accomodation for the event, you can make your request through either the website or by calling the telephone number above. If applying online, simply click the "I request ADA accomodations" box. By phone, you simply need to make your request to the representative who answers your call. Information on specific accomodations available for the Invesco event have not yet been released, but organizers assured me that accessibility will meet ADA standards.
A third option to request a community credential for the Invesco event is to go to http://www.demconvention.com/invesco/ and contact your local Obama organizer. A TTY telephone number is also available: (720) 362-2208.
75% of community credentials will be awarded to Colorado residents. You will be notified beginning Monday, August 11th, if you have been awarded a credential. Do not attempt to sell or purchase tickets, or acquire credentials in any way other than through the DNCC. Any credentials listed for sale online or transferred to anyone other than the intended recipient will be immediately deactivated and will not provide access to the event. You must be able to travel to Denver and attend the speech at Invesco Field to be eligible to receive a credential.
There will be no parking at Invesco Field for Obama's acceptance speech. All attendees will be transported to Invesco on a security-screened bus and then individually screened at the gate before entering the stadium.
Disability Caucuses:
The two People with Disabilities Caucuses are open to the public and will be held on Tuesday, August 26, and Thursday, August 28, from 12-2 p.m. at the Colorado Convention Center. TTY and sign language interpreters will be available. If you have a question about attending these caucuses, contact 720-DNC-2008 (362-2008) or by TTY, 720-362-2208, or email info@demconvention.com, or contact Becky Ogle.
Suggested Disability-Related Denver Attractions:
The DNCC Host Committee suggests the following Denver sites and attractions as accessible and potentially of interest to Convention attendees with disabilities:
Visit the ADAPT Headquarters to see the living history exhibit about the movement for accessible public transit, which began in Denver 25 years ago. Today ADAPT advocates nationally for independent living. The museum is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and is located at 201 S. Cherokee Street. Call ahead: (303) 733-9324; TTY: (303) 733-0047. A permanent exhibit about ADAPT's legacy in Denver is maintained at the RTD Market Street Station.
Visit the VSA art galleries, which offer opportunities for people with disabilities to create and exhibit their own art. Located at 909 Santa Fe Drive. Phone: (303) 777-0797; TTY: (303) 777-0796.
Racing handcycles from the 2008 U.S. Paralympics Cycling National Championships are on display at LoDo's Bar and Grill, an accessible restaurant located at 1946 Market Street in downtown Denver. Call (303) 293-8555.
Visit the City and County of Denver's Web site at www.denvergov.org/accessibledenver for a complete list of resources for people with disabilities.
Filed under: Barack Obama, travel, denver, democratic national convention, credentials, speech, dncc, invesco field, dnc, tickets, accessibility, becky ogle
