Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

Following are some frequently asked questions about participating in NCIL’s 2021 Annual Conference on Independent Living. Don’t see your question here? Please send us your questions at conference@ncil.org.

 

Q: What accessibility and language access features are available during conference sessions?

 

Please watch this captioned Accessibility Tips Video that will share all of the accessibility, language access, and logistics tips for participating in conference sessions. 

 

Q: I registered for the conference. What now?

You will receive a confirmation email when you register, but it’s not necessary to access the conference website.  All conference registrants can access the conference website at https://ncil.swoogo.com/2021. 

If you do not know your password or someone else registered for you, simply go to the conference log-in webpage at https://ncil.swoogo.com/2021/sign-in?rId=1136791 and click “Don’t know your password?  Click here to reset it.”  This will walk you through the steps to reset your password and access the site. Please note that the email to reset your password may go to your junk mail or clutter folder.   

 

Q: How will I connect to the conference sessions?

Connection instructions for all conference sessions will be available on the conference website at https://ncil.swoogo.com/2021. On the conference website, click “Event Agenda” on the menu bar at the top of the home page. Find the session you would like to attend in the agenda, and click “View Session on the right hand side of the agenda.  For call in numbers, select the looking glass icon labeled “more info” on the right hand side of the agenda. This will open a pop-up with the web link and phone numbers to join the session.

This pop-up box includes all of the information for the session: session description, presenter information, presentation materials (if they were submitted), and the connection instructions to join the event via webinar or teleconference.

 

Q: I cannot join a webinar, can I still participate?

Absolutely! NCIL is offering the conference through Zoom webinar, but you are welcome to join all conference sessions by telephone. CART captioning will be available in Zoom and on a separate website available through your web browser if you are unable to join Zoom, but want to view captioning. All of the conference sessions will include teleconference numbers and a meeting ID to join live. To access the telephone numbers, go to the conference website and select “Event Agenda” from the menu bar at the top of the home page. Find the session you would like to attend in the agenda, and click on the looking glass icon labeled “more info” on the right hand side of the agenda. This pop-up box includes all of the information for the session: session description, presenter information, presentation materials (if they were submitted), and the phone numbers to join the event via teleconference. If you cannot access the conference website, please let us know at conference@ncil.org so we can provide you with the call-in numbers in a format that works best for you.

 

Q: Will sessions be captioned? Will interpreters be present?

ASL interpreters and CART captioning will be provided on ALL conference activities. We will review settings to optimize interpreters and CART before each session begins. Captioning and interpreters will also be included in all recorded sessions that are archived on the conference website after they occur.

 

Q: How will I get the materials?

All conference materials are on the conference website. If you want presenter materials for particular sessions, they are included in the session web page. To access the session web page, go to the conference website and select “Event Agenda” from the menu bar at the top of the home page. Find the session you would like to attend in the agenda, and click on the looking glass icon labeled “more info” on the right hand side of the agenda. This will open a pop-up window for the session. This pop-up box includes all of the information for the session: session description, presenter information, presentation materials (if they were submitted), and the phone numbers to join the event via teleconference. If you do not see presenter materials on the session web page within 48 hours of the beginning of the session, that presenter did not submit presentation materials for their session.

 

Q: Are the sessions being recorded?

Yes, all conference sessions are being recorded to share on the conference website after they end. Please allow 48 hours for the recorded session to be posted to the session web page. To access the session web page, go to the conference website and select “Event Agenda” from the menu bar at the top of the home page. Find the session you would like to attend in the agenda, and click on “view session” on the right hand side of the agenda. The recording of the session will be posted here within 48 hours of the end of the session.

 

Q: Can I share a registration?

It’s very important that each individual user have their own registration and log-in. An email address can only be used by one individual to access the conference website and activities.

 

Q: I cannot connect to a session. Can someone help me?

Absolutely! NCIL staff and the Audio / Visual professionals at SmartSource are here to help you if you have any trouble at all connecting to the conference website at https://ncil.swoogo.com/2021 or any of the live sessions. You can always email conference@ncil.org or call 202-207-0334 for technical support or questions about the conference.  SmartSource technical support is available by contacting David Pabon at dpabon@thesmartsource.com or (215) 983-5666.

 

 

Q: What are the minimum requirements to connect to Zoom?

Zoom has an excellent support page on their website, along with a list of minimum requirements to join Zoom meetings.

 

Q: Do I need to select which sessions I want to attend?

No, no pre-registration is required for individual sessions. Just visit the agenda and click on the sessions you’d like to join. If you want more information about how to do that, see “How will I connect to the conference sessions?” in this FAQ.

 

Q: I’m in a session, why can’t I see the interpreters?

All conference sessions will be displayed in “Gallery View” so that interpreters will always be visible.  If you cannot see the interpreter, but are seeing a PowerPoint or screen share, you will need to turn on “Side-By-Side Mode” to view the interpreters.  Near the top of your screen, you should see a bar that says, “You are viewing ‘Host Name’ Screen”.  Click “View Options” next to this and select “Side-by-Side Mode”.  This will allow you to see the PowerPoint and the interpreters at the same time.  If you are using dual screens, you may also want to click “optimize for dual screens.”  You can adjust the size of the PowerPoint and interpreters by using the slider feature in the middle of the screen. We actually recommend that you do not pin the interpreter, because it could prevent you from seeing the active interpreter after an interpreter change.  The active interpreter will automatically be visible in Gallery View. 

 

Q: Colourful and complicated (busy) websites are difficult (hard) for me to navigate (use), how can I best register for this conference?

You can register by emailing: conference@ncil.org and we will work with you by email and/or telephone to get you registered, get you signed up for accommodations you may request, and get you set up with a conference website account which allows you access to the session materials.

 

Q: Colourful and complicated (busy) websites are difficult (hard) for me to navigate (use), how can I best participate in this conference?

Once you are registered for the conference, you can request to get conference materials emailed to you in the following formats: PDF, plain text, text only, and audio We can email you an agenda in the format that works best for you. This email will have the day, time, name of session, and connection information on it. Every session can be accessed by telephone alone if this is easier for you. If you have difficulty, or need something more / different please contact conference@ncil.org and we will try to assist you further.