A national conference focusing on the literacy needs of individuals with visual impairments

November 12th - 15th, 2009 Costa Mesa, California
Getting in Touch with Literacy 2009


GITWL 09 is supported by the following sponsors:

Big Kahuna


Wipe Out




Rip Curl


Gifts in Kind

for donating services to provide podcasts of all keynote presentations


for donating registration printing


for donating fundraising products

Hotel & Travel Information

The 2009 conference will be held at the Costa Mesa Hilton, located at 3050 Bristol Street Costa Mesa, CA 92626. The hotel is nestled in the heart of Southern California's Orange County. It is just a short distance from Disneyland, the Pacific Coast, and world-class dining and shopping at South Coast Plaza.

To make online reservations click here.

To make reservations by phone, call 1-714-540-7000 and mention the Getting in Touch with Literacy Conference to receive the conference rate for the length of your stay. We recommend making reservations by phone to ensure that you receive the conference rate of $119/night. Please use Group Code: TBI. Also, the reservations specialisats will assist you in selecting accommodations that best suit your wants and needs.

Area Airports

When booking air reservations, the preferred airport is John Wayne Airport/Orange County. The hotel offers a courtesy shuttle every 30 minutes to the airport, free of charge.

John Wayne Airport/Orange County
  • Distance from hotel: 2.5 mi.
  • Drive time: 5 min.

Directions: Left on MacArthur Blvd. 405 Freeway North. Exit Bristol Street and turn left. Drive over the freeway and turn left on Hotel Way.

Transportation to and from the Airport

Courtesy Bus Runs every 30 minutes
Limousine 130.00 USD
Taxi 15.00 USD
Los Angeles International Airport
  • Distance from hotel: 36 mi.
  • Drive time: 45 min.

Directions: Exit towards Century Blvd./Sepulveda Blvd. South. Take 105 Freeway East towards Norwalk. Then take 405 Freeway South. Exit Bristol and turn right. Left on Hotel Way.

Transportation to and from the Airport

Limousine 156.00 USD
Super Shuttle 32.00 USD
Rental Car 35.00 USD
Taxi 80.00 USD
Long Beach Airport (Daugherty Field)
  • Distance from hotel: 20 mi.
  • Drive time: 25 min.

Directions: McDonnell Douglas Drive to Lakewood Blvd., turn right. On Willow Street, turn left. Take 405 South, exit Bristol Street South. Turn left on Hotel Way.

Transportation to and from the Airport

Limousine 143.00 USD
Super Shuttle 35.00 USD
Rental Car 40.00 USD
Taxi 40.00 USD

Ground Transportation Options

  • Courtesy Shuttle from the Orange County John Wayne Airport to the hotel
  • Rental Car
  • Super Shuttle (727-572-1111) The cost is approximately $35.00 per person one-way ($70.00 round trip).

Driving Directions to the Resort

From John Wayne Airport: Follow signs to the 405 Freeway North. Exit Bristol Street and turn left. Drive over the bridge, turn left on Hotel Way.

From 405 Freeway Southbound: Take 405 South to Bristol Street exit (just past Harbor Blvd and Hwy 73 interchange). The hotel is located directly across from the exit on the left.

From 405 Freeway Northbound: Take 405 North to Bristol Street exit. Exit left onto Bristol. Drive over the freeway and turn left on Hotel Way.

From the 57 Freeway: Take the 57 South to I-5 South to Hwy 55 South. Exit Baker and turn right. Turn right again at Bristol Street and the hotel will be on the right hand side.

From the 91 Freeway: Take 91 West to Hwy 55 South to 405 North. Exit at Bristol, turning left. Drive over the freeway and turn left on Hotel Way.

From the 73 Freeway: Take 73 North, exit Bear Street, and turn right, right on Paularino, and left on Bristol.