Convention Accessibility

The NFA is committed to meeting the accessibility needs of all convention participants.

This page includes all available accessibility information for the 2026 Convention in Portland, OR. More details will be added as they become available. If you have a specific question, please contact Lauren Watt, Event & Convention Director, at lwatt@nfaonline.org, or call the NFA office at 312-332-6682

Scooter & Wheelchair Rental

The Oregon Convention Center has 5 scooters and 5 wheelchairs that can be reserved free of charge. Reservations may be made within 30 days of a scheduled event (with an estimated time of arrival) by contacting guestexperience@oregoncc.org or 503-731-7800. These scooters cannot leave the convention center. 

If you need a scooter or wheelchair outside of the convention center (for your hotel), please contact:

Oregon Convention Center (OCC)

OCC is committed to providing a welcoming and accessible experience for all visitors. The facility is equipped with a range of features and amenities, including accessible parking and passenger drop-off areas, automatic doors, KultureCity Sensory Bags, Nursing Suites, and more. For a comprehensive list of building features, visit the OCC website (external link - opens in new window).

Hotels

Detailed information about the convention hotels is available here. Please note that, of the two convention hotels, the Hyatt Regency Portland is the closest to the Oregon Convention Center. 

Hyatt Regency Portland

The Hyatt Regency Portland is committed to providing equal access and opportunity for individuals with disabilities. The features also make this hotel more accessible for older individuals with changing abilities to ensure a seamless experience. A list of accessibility features for this hotel is available on their website (external link - opens in new window).

If you have questions about this property, please call the hotel at 971-222-1234

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

The DoubleTree strives to provide a comfortable stay for every guest. A list of accessibility features is available on their website (external link - opens in new window). 

If you have additional questions about the hotel's accessibility features or a request related to a disability of any kind, please contact the hotel directly and select the option to reach the front desk: 503-281-6111

Portland International Airport (PDX)

The City of Portland

Our friends at Travel Portland have written a blog post to help you navigate the city while you're in town:

Accessible Portland: Discover what to do and see that’s wheelchair-accessible and sensory-friendly in Portland, Oregon (external link - opens in new window)

"As a relatively new city with lots of fresh concrete, Portland’s infrastructure is more wheelchair-accessible than the average American city. Visitors will find curb cuts throughout downtown and enjoy well-maintained accessibility features built into Portland’s public transportation. The city’s free-spirited attitude also extends to a general acceptance of neurodiversity. Of course, it’s not always sunshine and roses in the sometimes rainy City of Roses, but this guide will go a long way to getting you a smooth and inclusive experience..." Continue reading

Transportation

This information provided by our friends at Travel Portland.

Portland’s public transportation system, TriMet , is one of the nation’s best for accessibility, especially along the MAX light rail lines. The Portland Streetcar , which runs in three downtown loops, is also accessible . Ride-share services like Uber and Lyft are required to have wheelchair-accessible vehicles, which you can request through an “Access” mode in their apps.

Flying in or out of Portland? Portland International Airport has a well-deserved reputation for being welcoming and accessible. Their extensive list of accommodations includes “hidden disability” sunflower lanyards, a 24-7 sensory room near gate D10, and both pre- and post-security service animal relief areas.

Financial Accessibility

The NFA strives to make the convention accessible for those with limited financial means. To that end, we offer the following:

• A Lower Income membership tier, making all of our benefits available at a lower rate
• A Lower Income convention registration price
• Convention Registration Scholarships to offset the cost of registration (note that these are not performance-based - anyone wishing to attend the convention may apply. Information and application to be posted soon)
• Payment installment plans that break the registration fee into manageable monthly payments

Other Information

• For accessibility information and questions, contact the Accessibility Coordinator: Lauren Watt, lwatt@nfaonline.org
• The convention program book will be available on the NFA website and the convention app, in addition to print.
• The repertoire guide and convention bios will be available on the NFA website. (They are not printed in the program book.)
• Livestream segments posted on Facebook and/or YouTube will include closed captioning