Accessibility - Annual Meeting

AALS is committed to making our meetings and events accessible to all of our attendees. Please email AALS Accessibility no later than December 8, 2023 for assistance. 

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 rooms or AALS-sponsored social events. Some offsite venues may allow smoking in public areas and/or designated smoking areas as determined by the venue.

You may request that chemicals not be used in your guest room on carpeting or other surfaces. Contact the AALS hotel directly for more information.

Nursing Parents 

Nursing parents may use a specific room for private space with electrical power, a refrigerator, and a locking door. Please visit AALS Registration onsite for directions to the room and the access key.

Wheelchairs & Mobility Devices

Because the Annual Meeting has numerous programs running simultaneously across two hotels, there can be considerable distances between meeting rooms. If you are a regular wheelchair user, we suggest you bring your chair with you to the meeting.

Meeting rooms will be set up to provide adequate aisle space and cut-outs for persons with wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Every effort will be made to set meeting rooms and other hotel locations to accommodate all speakers and audience members. If you are presenting and require additional accommodations (such as a ramp or lavaliere microphone) please contact us at AALS Accommodations in advance.

Registration of Personal Aide/Companion

Should you require an aide or personal assistant to help navigate the Annual Meeting, AALS will register your aide as a complimentary guest. Please contact us at [email protected] to register your personal aide. Name, city, and state is required for the badge, which can be picked up at AALS Registration. Personal aides may attend sessions and AALS-sponsored meals. If you need AALS to arrange for an aide to help you navigate the meeting, please email your request to [email protected] and outline the specific type of assistance required. In order to best accommodate your request, we ask that you notify us of your request as much in advance of the meeting as possible.

Hearing Support Services 

Sign Language Interpreters 

Please email us at [email protected] by December 8, 2023 to request a sign language interpreter. Please note that sign language interpreters may only be provided for AALS-sponsored events.

CART 

Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) is a word-for-word speech-to-text interpreting service. Please email us at [email protected] as early as possible and no later than December 8, 2023 to request CART services. Please note these services may only be provided for AALS-sponsored events.

Personal Hearing Enhancement Systems Available 

Independent mobile hearing enhancement systems are available to reserve. The device is a portable, intuitive personal listening system intended to improve audio detail and reduce noise. The system includes AAA batteries, belt clip, lanyard, and TV listening cord, plus headset (provided), earbuds (your own), or an induction loop (provided). Reserved a device via email at [email protected].

Onsite, check it out for the duration of the meeting at the AALS Information Desk and returned to the Information Desk no later than 6 pm on Saturday, January 7.