Enhancing Programming & Access
Regarding Universal Access and Environmental Responsibility
AHEAD continues to open new doors and set new examples for Conference implementation that elevate universal access, environmental responsibility, and unparalleled professional development for those involved in the intersection of disability and higher education.
In 2013, AHEAD is continuing to refine enhancements in the design of the Conference and Institute to move toward a more strategic, inclusive, and responsible approach to the delivery of outstanding professional information. AHEAD provides opportunities for professional development to those who work to assure usable, sustainable, and inclusive higher education environments for students, faculty, and staff with disabilities and who believe society is ultimately enriched by difference.
In response to full access and environmental responsibility, we are maximizing pre-planning efforts and the use of appropriate technological resources in planning for the delivery of program materials in accessible formats.
In lieu of receiving paper handouts on site at the Conference, attendees will access handout and presentation support literature in advance, via Internet download, beginning no later than two weeks prior to the events. This will afford attendees the opportunity to access as many different sets of information as they like, in the output format of their choice, well in advance of the conference. All registrants will be provided with easy-to-understand-and-implement instructions for accessing all presentation support materials. Enhancing this practice, materials for the 2013 Conference will be available both in text and PDF formats to attendees in advance.
While providing the tremendous benefit of universal access for each attendee, this approach greatly reduces the burden on presenters and the environment created by providing handout materials for each attendee in each session – many of which end up going unused. As an added bonus, it offers attendees the opportunity to access handout materials from sessions that they are not not be able to attend.
The 2013 Conference Chairs and Committees along with the AHEAD Board & Staff are committed to consistently improving the experiences of Conference Attendees, and look forward to seeing you in Baltimore this summer!
Scent- and Smoke-Free
In an effort to provide the most comfortable experience possible for all attendees, the Conference organizers ask that attendees refrain from the use of scented products during all events and observe that all events are smoke-free. All indoor areas of the Hilton Hotel are strictly smoke-free.
