Conference Accessibility and Accommodation: Experiences and Recommendations From a Black Girl Scholar

• In Event: Access Is Justice: A Call for Intentional and Expansive Conference Access

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this presentation is to highlight my experiences and recommendations as a Black girl scholar who attended the annual AERA conference with my parents for the first time in April 2023 from registration to accommodation to presentation and beyond. Three questions will guide this presentation: What was my first AERA conference like? How did my community and I cultivate the joy and care I needed while at the conference? How can the conference be more accommodating and user friendly for youth and young adults?
Theoretical Framing and Method
This presentation is grounded in my Black girlhood (Brown, 2009; Lindsay, 2013). Black girlhood studies positions me as an epistemic and ontological agent (Collins, 2000; hooks, 2000). As a Black girl now in my second year of college, my ways of being and knowing are unique and beautiful. I matter and others, including people in decision-making roles, can learn from how I perceive and experience the world (Edwards et al., 2016). This presentation is autoethnographic and is based on my experiences and memories (Adams et al., 2014; Toliver, 2022). My parents, three adult co-researchers, my friend whom I visited at DeVry University while I was in Chicago, and all the people I met at AERA were part of my experience. They will be woven into my presentation.
Data Sources and Results
Through a collection of emails, texts, and personal narratives, I will share my experiences from being notified that our presentation was accepted all the way until leaving Chicago with my parents and how accessible each step of the way was for me. As I tell my story, I will share screenshots of emails and texts to support visual access with my oral narrative.
For example, it was too loud and the tables were too close to one another when we presented. No one at our table could hear well. Our team brought a handout for our presentation and that was helpful because of the noise. I might bring a handout to share ideas and suggestions for change. These are reactions and responses to my experiences. My recommendations include digital and paper maps of the area, lists of nearby restaurants with contact information, support with public transportation options, people outside directing us where to go, and making sure presentations are accessible.
Scholarly Significance of the Work
I hope one day this conference can be more accessible to youth and young adults and their families if they join them. However, this is only one Black girl’s experiences. It will be important for future AERA conferences to honor and affirm the multiplicity of Black girlhood (Butler, 2018; Hines & Menefee, 2022). That means asking all Black girl scholars about what is working and not working before, during, and after the conference to ensure we feel safe and cared for (Reynolds & Hicks, 2016; Woodly, 2022). Then, making those accommodations as needed so that everyone is learning and having fun at AERA.

Author

• Ajya Wilson, Wayne County Community College