Commitment to Accessibility
AALS is working to ensure every attendee’s experience will be enjoyable and accessible. AALS commits to making our meetings and events accessible to all attendees.
To ensure full inclusion and equitable participation, we have asked all AALS sections, member and fee paid law schools, affiliated organizations, sponsors, and exhibitors to host off-hotel outings in spaces that are physically accessible. This includes venues that accommodate mobility devices, provide clear signage, and offer accessible restrooms and entrances.
Requesting Accommodations
To give us time to plan, please make requests before December 2, 2026 whenever possible. During the meeting, AALS staff will be available at the registration and information desks.
Feedback & Additional Requests
Below are features in place to support and encourage an inclusive and welcoming environment, but this list is not comprehensive. We understand that people have diverse needs and aim to provide an inclusive experience for everyone. Please reach out to AALS Accessibility with any questions or to make arrangements in advance.
Presenters with Disabilities
Presenters who are unable to attend the in-person Annual Meeting due to a disability may request to present their session virtually.
To make arrangements, please contact AALS Accessibility and include details about your session and your request. Early notification is encouraged to ensure appropriate planning and technical support.
Housing
Accessible guest rooms are available within the AALS room block and are offered at the same rate as standard hotel guest rooms.
If an attendee chooses to upgrade their ADA-accessible room, for example, to a club level or a room with a premium view, the rate may vary. These upgrades are subject to the same pricing adjustments as standard rooms.
Getting Around
Local information on accessible taxis, sidewalk conditions, public transportation and sightseeing tips are available on the NYC Tourism + Conventions Accessibility Information.
NYC DOT Accessibility Information: https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/accessibility-information.shtml
New York Resources for the Deaf and the Blind: https://www.ny.gov/new-york-state-deaf-deafblind-and-hard-hearing-office/nys-deaf-deafblind-and-hard-hearing-office
New York Recite Me Web Accessibility and Language Toolbar: https://reciteme.com/us/news/web-accessibility-law-in-new-york/
Wheel the World Guide to New York: https://blog.wheeltheworld.com/wheelchair-accessible-nyc-the-ultimate-guide/
Airport
For those flying, the NYC Metropolitan Area airports provide accessibility information for arriving and departing passengers:
John F. Kennedy International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Conference Maps
Before the conference begins, maps will be posted on the website clearly noting elevators and ramps within the conference facility.
Wheelchair & Mobility Devices
Because the meeting has numerous concurrent sessions, there can be distance between sessions. If you are a regular wheelchair user, we suggest you bring your chair with you to the meeting.
Meeting Room Setup
AALS will ask hotels to provide adequate aisle space and cut-outs for individuals with wheelchairs and other mobility devices in all meeting rooms. Please note standard head tables (when used) include a podium and microphones on the tables and podium. If you are presenting and require additional accommodations (such as a ramp, or lavaliere microphone), please contact AALS at [email protected] in advance. Every effort will be made to set meeting rooms/locations to accommodate all attendees, both speakers and audience members.
Hearing Support Services
Sign Language Interpreters
Attendees may request a sign language interpreter for the meeting. Please email your request by December 2, 2026. Sign language interpreters can be provided for AALS-sponsored events only.
CART
Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) is a word-for-word speech-to-text interpreting service for people with hearing loss or who would otherwise benefit from this accommodation. Attendees may request CART service for the meeting. CART can be provided for AALS-sponsored events only. Please email your request by December 2, 2026.
Transcripts
AALS audio records programs at the Annual Meeting on an opt-in basis. Recordings are made available on https://am.aals.org after the conclusion of the event.
If you would like a written transcript of a recorded session, you may request one by contacting AALS at [email protected]. Please include the title, date, and time of the session in your request, and allow several days for processing and delivery of the transcript.
Other Access Needs
Chemical Sensitivity
All AALS events are smoke-free and, as often as possible, held in smoke-free venues. Smoking is not permitted in any meeting or session rooms, business, or networking events, or AALS-sponsored social events. Please be aware that some venues (i.e., offsite) may allow smoking in public areas. Cigarettes may be used in designated smoking areas as determined by the venue. Specific requests can be made to hotels within our block and the meeting venues that chemicals not be used in guest rooms on carpeting or other surfaces.
Nursing Parents
AALS will provide a room with electrical power, a refrigerator, and a locking door for nursing parents who attend AALS meetings. Please visit the AALS Information Desk for access to the room.
Registration of Personal Aide/Companion
If you require a personal aide or assistant to help navigate the workshops, AALS will register your aide as a complimentary guest. To register your aide, please contact [email protected] and provide the following details for their badge: Full name, city and state of residence. Their badge can be picked up at the AALS Registration Desk during the Annual Meeting.
Personal aides are welcome to attend sessions and AALS-sponsored events. If you need AALS to arrange for an aide to assist you during the meeting, please email your request to [email protected] and include details about the type of assistance required. To help us best meet your needs, we encourage you to submit your request as far in advance of the meeting as possible.
What more can we do? Please let us know we are happy to hear from you at AALS Accessibility.
Accessible Housing
ADA-designated hotel rooms in the New York Hilton Midtown Hotel and Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel are available for individuals requesting them. Please notify the hotel of your request with as much advance notice as possible.
Accessible New York Hilton Midtown Hotel Features: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/nycnhhh-new-york-hilton-midtown/amenities/
Accessible Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel Features: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/nycst-sheraton-new-york-times-square-hotel/overview/