Planning for a meeting or event in Chicago? Be sure to keep accessibility and inclusion in mind when choosing local vendors. Learn about some of the city’s disability-owned businesses that offer a wide array of professional services and resources for meeting and event planners.
Accessibility videos
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.
Food and drink
Marinas 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, fried plantains, slow-roasted pork, 48-hour marinated chicken thighs, and flan. 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 has 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 (with 48 hours’ 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 bleu cheese praline pear. 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.
Printing 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.
Explore our guide to Accessibility in Chicago.
