Event Description: Hosting inclusive and accessible experiences often requires equipment and resources. Has your organization thought about offering an accessible performance, tour, or lecture, but you’re just not confident about the equipment or steps needed? Did you know that the Collab rents out equipment to support cultural organizations’ accessible offerings at no cost to renters?
Come check out the offerings of the Cultural Access Collab’s Accessible Equipment Loan Program in real life at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and discover for yourself in this interactive, exploratory open house session! Whether you’re a frequent borrower or you’re just curious to learn more, this casual setting will encourage you to ask questions, network and engage with service providers and community members alike!
Bonus: We have some updated resources for the Collab community that we can’t wait to highlight at this open house!
Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Time: 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Location: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
Cost: FREE, $5 suggested donation
Program Format: There will be no formal address or presentation for this program. Registrants can freely explore various ‘demo stations’ that showcase our accessible equipment, including: a CART captioning station; an audio description station; an assistive listening station; and a resource table highlighting our new handbook and borrowing process. Each area will be staffed by Collab representatives and access providers who can answer your questions and facilitate hands-on opportunities with the equipment and resources.
Accessibility: ASL Interpretation and Assistive Listening devices are available by request. Indicate your access needs during the registration process, and we will coordinate coverage given at least 3 business days notice. Please inform us of any additional requests that would enable you to participate. You may also reach us at 773-203-5039 to request services.
COVID Policy: Masks are strongly encouraged when not actively eating or drinking.
Parking: Please be advised that parking may be extremely limited in the area due to Lincoln Park ZooLights. We recommend you arrive early to allow plenty of time to find parking; or, consider carpooling, using public transit, or catching an Uber/Lyft.
Free parking is available on Cannon and Stockton Drive. A flat-rate lot maintained by the Chicago Park District is located at 2431 N. Cannon Drive. Learn more about lot rates.
A limited number of wheelchair accessible parking spots are located near the front entrance on Cannon Drive.
Public Transit: The Nature Museum is accessible by CTA bus routes #76, #151, and #156.
Uber/Lyft: If you using a rideshare service, inform your driver that the bus turnaround near the front entrance may be used for drop off.
Entry: All guests should enter through the front entrance located on Cannon Drive. The entrance is wheelchair accessible and is equipped with activation push buttons. Our program is located on the second floor, via a passenger elevator that is wheelchair, walker, and stroller accessible. All restrooms on all levels are stroller and wheelchair accessible. All-gender restrooms are available for anyone who prefers a single-occupancy restroom. Service animals are welcome.
Registration: Please register at https://tinyurl.com/55kv4a8s
Suggested Donation: While most programs are free, the $5 suggested donation helps to cover programming costs to ensure Cultural Access Collaborative’s mission is achievable and accessible to all. You may donate online anytime! Donations to the Collaborative are tax deductible.
Cultural Access Collaborative is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, PERT Foundation, The MacArthur Funds for Culture, Equity, and the Arts at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The Michael and Mona Heath Fund, and individual donors like you. In addition, this program is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events with funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the American Rescue Plan as well as a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.