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Accessible Practices Available to All Attendees at the Annual Meeting

To foster an accessible environment, AAA has adopted the accessible practices listed below for the Annual Meeting.

  1. AAA encourages Annual Meeting attendees to be scent- and fragrance-free to minimize chemicals and scents in the meeting space.
  2. The AAA Annual Meeting provides no formal meals. However, AAA’s goal is to have a varied menu to appeal to the majority of attendee’s dietary needs in the events that are hosted by the association.
  3. The Annual Meeting Opening Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, November 20, and will include snacks, which will include a list of ingredients, and a cash bar.
  4. Several AAA Sections, Affiliates, and Universities also typically host receptions in the evenings that may or may not be open to attendees. Please contact the organizers of these events to identify what food will be served or available.
  5. ASL interpreting is provided during meeting plenary and non-compete events (i.e. Opening Ceremony, AAA Business Meeting, CASCA Weaver-Tremblay Award and Address, and Presidential Address) and are available to AAA attendees who need them for the duration of the meeting.
    1. Note: Please inform AAA if you need ASL interpreting for other sessions or events to ensure we fully meet your access needs.
  6. CART captioning is provided during meeting plenary and non-compete events (i.e. Opening Ceremony, AAA Business Meeting, CASCA Weaver-Tremblay Award and Address, and Presidential Address).
    1. Note: Please inform AAA if you need CART captioning for other sessions or events to ensure we fully meet your access needs.
  7. Accessibility seating is available in every session room. This seating section will have chairs removed from the front rows for mobility assistive devices. The rows next to the areas with removed chairs are reserved for anyone who needs to be closer to the front, whether for mobility, auditory, sight, sensory, or other needs.
  8. Attendees are welcome to move, sit, lay down, and stand as necessary during Annual Meeting sessions. Please do what your body needs you to do to ensure you are able to meaningfully participate in the meeting.
  9. A prayer room is available to all attendees in Room 107 in the West Building of the Vancouver Convention Centre. This room will provide a quiet location for conference attendees to pray without interruptions that may occur while in the larger conference space. The prayer room is not available for conversations or meetings.
  10. A quiet room is available to all attendees in Room 108 in the West Building of the Vancouver Convention Centre. This room will provide low lighting, various seating options, and a space for minimal to no conversation. Attendees can use this space to spend time away from noise, lights, and other stimuli of conference spaces. The quiet room is not available for conversations or meetings.
  11. Nursing rooms are available to all nursing parents. More information about the location is available at the Annual Meeting Registration Desk.
  12. On-site childcare is also available to all attendees who need it.
  13. Designated all gender restrooms will be available.
  14. Yoga mats are available for attendees to check out from the registration desk and use during the meeting, whether for alternative seating during sessions or prayer in the prayer room.
  15. Ear plugs are available for attendees to request at the registration desk.
  16. Stim tools (tangles) are available in the quiet room and at the Membership Booth by the Registration Desk.
  17. A large park is next to the West Building of the Vancouver Convention Centre just outside of the Thurlow doors that can serve as a service animal relief area.
  18. Presenters are expected to review and prepare their presentations and posters using the AAA Presentation Guidelines for Success & Accessibility and the Poster/Gallery Session Guidelines for Success & Accessibility.
  19. Pronoun information ribbons are available to all attendees.
    1. Note: We encourage you to share your pronouns as you are comfortable doing so.
  20. If you have a safety concern, please find and connect with a AAA staff member, who will provide you further assistance.

While we remain deeply saddened by the devastating impact of the recent hurricanes in Florida and wish for a swift recovery, the Tampa Convention Center and the hotels hosting our Annual Meeting in Tampa from November 20-23 have confirmed they are "open and fully operational." We look forward to supporting the residents of Tampa and seeing you there, either in person or virtually. View a list of organizations accepting donations in Florida.

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