Following are some frequently asked questions about participating in NCIL’s 2020 Annual Conference on Independent Living. Don’t see your question here? Please send us your questions at [email protected].
Q: I registered for the conference. What now?
All conference registrants will get an invitation to the Conference website at www.ncilconference.org. If you have registered for the conference, but not received this email, please check your junk mail or spam folder to make sure it is not there. Please verify that you are checking the email address that you provided on your conference registration. If you still have not received the email or you are not sure what email you listed on your registration, please let us know at [email protected] and we can help you resolve the issue.
Once you have the invitation email, registration is simple. Click on the word “Register” in that email, it will take you to the conference web page to create a password and login. You can make your password whatever you would like. Please write down the password you use, because you will need it if you log out of the conference website. That website will hold ALL of the conference activities and information: agenda, materials, links to join sessions, virtual exhibit spaces, etc.
Q: How will I connect to the conference sessions?
Connection instructions for all conference sessions will be available on the conference website at www.ncilconference.org. On the conference website, click “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 the name of the session. This will take you to the session web page. This session web page includes all of the information for the session: presenter information, presentation materials (if they were submitted), and the connection instructions to join the event via webinar or teleconference. The session web page will also include the recorded copy of the session after the session has ended. Please allow 48 hours for the recorded session and transcript to be uploaded to the session web page.
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 “Agenda” from the menu bar at the top of the home page. This will take you to the session web page. This session web page includes all of the information for the session: presenter information, presentation materials (if they were submitted), and the connection instructions to join the event via webinar or teleconference. If you cannot access the conference website, please let us know at [email protected] 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. Much of the general information, like the Agenda, Presenter Information, the Day on the Hill, and the virtual Exhibit Hall, are listed in the menu on the homepage. 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 “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 the name of the session. This will take you to the session web page. This session web page includes all of the information for the session: presenter information, presentation materials (if they were submitted), and the connection instructions to join the event via webinar or 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 “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 the name of the session. This will take you to the session web page. This session web page includes all of the information for the session. 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 our IT support vendor, Nothing But NET, are here to help you if you have any trouble at all connecting to the conference website at www.ncilconference.org or any of the live sessions. Nothing But Net’s IT professionals are available to help you troubleshoot your account, connection, or other technological problems. They can also assist you remotely to create your conference account or verify information to help you participate fully. Nothing But Net Help Desk can be reached at (480) 222-6025 or by filling out the contact form.
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: Why can’t I access the conference app?
If you are registered for the conference, you should have received an email inviting you to register for the conference app. The link in the email will direct you to create an account. Be sure you are using the same email you used to register for the conference. It will send a verification code to your email that you must type in to finish creating your account and accessing the app.
Q: Why can’t I find my verification code for the app?
Try the following steps:
- Be sure you’re looking at the email you used to register for the conference.
- Check your junk and spam folders.
If you still can’t find your verification code, email [email protected] and she will send you your verification code directly.
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: [email protected]l.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 [email protected] and we will try to assist you further.