Miscellaneous
What if I have dietary restrictions?
We will request dietary restriction information on the registration form. If you believe your dietary needs are unusual, please contact us and we will work to accommodate you.
Will there be resources available for attendees with disabilities?
We will request information on disability status on the registration form. Please contact us in advance if you have unusual requirements, and we will work to accommodate you. All of the conference rooms are wheelchair accessible.
What is the weather like in January in Chicago?
In January, Chicago enjoys the charm of its winter season with average high temperatures around 32°F (0°C) and occasional snowfall. Be sure to dress warmly and embrace the city's seasonal beauty while attending the event.
Can I connect with those going to the meeting before arriving and during the meeting?
Yes! We have a Mattermost channel (Collab Mtg Jan'24) for people attending the ePIC Collaboration Meeting.
What if I need child care?
Please contact us to discuss your needs.
What are gender pronouns?
A gender pronoun is the pronoun that a person chooses to use for themselves. For example, if Xena's preferred pronouns are she, her, and hers, you could say "Xena ate her food because she was hungry." She, her, hers and he, him, his are common examples of pronouns. Some people call these "female/feminine" and "male/masculine" pronouns, but many avoid these labels because, for example, not everyone who uses he feels like a "male" or "masculine."
There are also lots of gender-neutral pronouns in use. Here are a few you might hear:
- They, them, theirs (Xena ate their food because they were hungry). This is a pretty common gender-neutral pronoun.... And yes, it can in fact be used in the singular.
- Ze, hir (Xena ate hir food because ze was hungry). Ze is pronounced like "zee" can also be spelled zie or xe, and replaces she/he/they. Hir is pronounced like "here" and replaces her/hers/him/his/they/theirs.
- Just my name please! (Xena ate Xena's food because Xena was hungry). Some people prefer not to use pronouns at all, using their name as a pronoun instead.
- Never, ever refer to a person as “it” or “he-she” (unless they specifically ask you to). These are often used as offensive slurs.
Why am I asked for my preferred pronouns? Why should I consider putting them on my name badge?
ePIC Collaboration Meeting organizers seek for the meeting to be a safe space for all participants. By asking for preferred pronouns, we are ensuring that we don’t accidentally misgender any of our participants or make harmful assumptions based on appearance. Even if you have never considered this in relation to yourself, by including your preferred pronouns on your name badge you can help to make other participants comfortable. We hope you will consider this.
