Planning for a meeting or event in Chicago? Be sure to keep accessibility and inclusion in mind when choosing local vendors. It’s an especially notable year — 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law on July 26, 1990, which protects the civil rights of people with disabilities. Learn about some of the city’s disability-owned businesses that offer an array of professional services and resources for meeting and event planners.
Accessibility videos/events
The Strategy for Access Foundation NFP, also known as Fun4theDisabled, emphasizes fun while celebrating inclusivity. The organization makes videos tailored to those who have disabilities, featuring sign language, transcripts, and audio descriptions. Viewers can learn about accessibility resources at several Chicago museums and attractions, including the Field Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Navy Pier. The videos are especially helpful for planners who are seeking accessible venues for meetings and after-hours events. Learn more by watching the informative Explore Accessible Chicago video series.
Cheer on participants in the Chicago Disability Pride Parade on July 26, 2025, which falls on the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The parade starts in the Loop at 11 a.m. at 400 S. Plymouth Ct. and ends at Daley Plaza for post-parade activities. The night before the parade, the Disability Pride Open Mic Night features poetry, comedy, and music from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington St. The events are sponsored by the local nonprofit Disability Pride Association, which aims to change the way people think about and define disability.
Food and drink
Marina’s Bistro & Rum Bar chef-owner Eric Roldan treasures his family traditions and their Puerto Rican recipes so much that he named his restaurant after his late mother. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Roldan supports inclusivity for all people at his tropical-themed restaurant in Uptown. Authentic specialties with a contemporary touch include ham-and-cheese croquetas, slow-roasted pork, 48-hour marinated chicken thighs, and warm bread pudding. Experience Roldan’s classic Puerto Rican cuisine by booking a buyout for up to 35 guests for a banquet-style brunch, lunch, or dinner. Catering services are also available, in addition to vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free menu items.
Kate Vrijmoet opened the first necessary & sufficient coffee® as a small walk-up coffee shop attached to her art studio in Logan Square. Since then, she opened a second location on Printers Row in the South Loop that includes both indoor and patio dining. Through her business, Vrijmoet furthers her mission of building community connections, destigmatizing mental illness, and championing sustainability. Vrijmoet, who formerly lived in Seattle, sources her organic, fair trade coffee beans from Olympia Coffee Roasting. Menu items include specialty coffees, teas, and a range of inventive lattes with ingredients like beet root, turmeric, lavender, and reishi mushrooms. Bites include avocado or chevre toast, bagels, quiche, and grab-and-go items like sandwiches and fresh salads. Book a buyout for 71 guests at the Printers Row location. Catering options for meetings (ideally with one-week notice) include coffee, pastries, doughnuts, and empanadas.
Maya-Camille Broussard sells sweet and savory pies, quiches, tarts, and other tasty treats at Justice of the Pies in Avalon Park. The shop’s name was inspired by her late father, a baker himself, who was a criminal defense attorney. Whole quiches, pot pies, and sandwiches can be arranged for your meeting or event. But don’t miss out on the bakery’s renowned pies for dessert, in flavors that include salted caramel-peach, sweet potato, bourbon-pecan, and lemon-basil. Broussard, who is hearing-impaired, also created The Broussard Justice Foundation to raise awareness about food insecurity and health disparity in underserved communities. She’s available for speaking engagements at events. Attendees who love her sweet creations can also enjoy them at home — Justice of the Pies ships nationwide.
For an elegant private event, consider Nia for its Mediterranean-influenced decor and fine dining menu. Antonia Asimis is the “Nia” of the woman-, minority-, and disability-owned restaurant in the West Loop. Choose from indoor spaces or the outdoor terrace, accommodating 20 to 100 people for seated dining. Three tiers of tasting menus feature chef’s choice crostini, starters, savory main courses — such as truffle risotto, sea bass, paella, and beef tenderloin — and desserts like churros, creme brulee, and apple tarts. Off-site catering includes a selection of hot and cold tapas, with vegetarian options available.
Services
Service-disabled Marine Corps veteran Eric Lazar takes pride in diversity at his SpeedPro Chicago Loop printing business. The staff is comprised of disabled veterans, women, African American, Hispanic, Asian, and LGBTQ+ employees. Together, they offer products and services that include signage, corporate branding, custom graphics, and visual magnetics. Popular items for trade shows and meetings include wall and floor murals, posters, decals, cut-outs, and flags. SpeedPro serves venues like McCormick Place, THE MART, Wintrust Arena, United Center, and Navy Pier, as well as hotels and event centers throughout the Chicagoland area. The shop earned the International Franchise Association’s 2022 Franchisee of the Year award and has been on the 3-Best Sign Shops in Chicago list since 2018.
Founder and CEO Emily Voorde leads INTO Strategies, a consulting business focused on disability, inclusion, and accessibility. As a former White House liaison to disabled Americans, she uses her expertise to create inclusive spaces and moments. INTO’s services include access consulting, candidate and leadership training, disability workshops, and public speaking and engagement. Let INTO customize a strategy for you, whether you’re seeking an informational workshop or advice about hosting a meeting, training session, or conference.
5 Star Interpreting, a deaf- and child of deaf parents-owned business founded by Ben Daniel and Cody Simonsen, offers both American Sign Language and certified deaf interpreters who can provide services both at your site and via remote video. They are trained to adapt to a variety of places, including large events and conferences, workplaces, educational settings, and more. Qualified professional interpreters ensure that your message is accurately reaching deaf attendees, in addition to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Accessibility consulting is one of the specialties of Dr. Grishma Shah of LaGrish. As an entertainment psychologist, film festival adviser, and woman with a disability, she offers advice about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility to help inspire cultural change. Shah is also an artist, exhibiting her mixed-media, multisensory artwork at events and exhibitions.
Kevin W. Freeman, a disability-, Black-, and veteran-owned business, specializes in offering team building sessions, especially for healthcare organizations, conferences, and conventions. Themes can include workplace wellness, productivity, and mental health. Or Freeman’s curated experiences can be customized to match your company’s mission and goals. If you need a speaker, Freeman’s signature topics include service excellence, leadership building, and problem solving.
Explore our guide to Accessibility in Chicago.
