For attendees with disabilities, here is accessibility information about programming and the Conference venue:
Physical access needs:
- A limited number of mobility scooters will be available to borrow at the AHEAD Registration desk, starting at 9am on Monday morning. To borrow one at no cost, please inquire at the registration desk. These must be returned by no later than 5pm on Friday.
- Specific physical accessibility information about the venues (Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor and Baltimore Convention Center Level 300, connected via skywalk) is available on their website, and there is a Convention Center Meeting Map (JPG) and Hilton Meeting Space (JPG).
- Self-parking, including accessible parking spots, is available at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor parking garage on all levels for $36.00 per day or reservable online in advance through SpotHero at the Baltimore Convention Center parking website.
- Transportation: Full accessibility information for Maryland public transportation is available on their website. The below information was pulled from that website- for questions, please contact MTA (Maryland Transit Administration) at 410-539-5000, Toll Free 866-743-3682, Maryland Relay 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258.
- Buses: All MTA (Maryland Transit Administration) buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts and/or kneeling capability.
- Metro SubwayLink (service to/from Owings Mills Station and Johns Hopkins Station): Elevators, escalators, tactile warning strips, platform barriers, accessible parking, automatic voice annunciators and priority seating are available.
- Light RailLink (service to/from BWI airport and Hunt Valley): Tactile warning strips, level boarding platforms with boarding ramps, and priority seating are available.
- Baltimore has an accessible transportation service called MobilityLink. Mobility service is available within three quarters (3/4) of a mile of any local bus route and train service in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties and within three quarters (3/4) of a mile radius of a light rail or Metro/subway station. For instructions on how to apply for this service if you are visiting from outside of Maryland, please visit their website and see ‘Participation for Out-of-Town Visitors’ under Frequently Asked Questions.
- More information is also available on the ‘Baltimore Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guide’ from WheelchairTravel.org
Blind/Low vision access needs:
- Aira (Live, on demand, visual interpreting service via phone app) will be available at the Conference venue. To use it, download the Aira app on your smartphone, enter your mobile number, and select the ‘continue’ button. Aira will text you a temporary, 4-digit code to verify your mobile number. Then, allow permissions prompts: Terms of Service, Camera, Mic & Location and tap the "Call an Aira Agent" button to make your first call.
- If you need any assistance with going to/from spaces, AHEAD staff at the registration desk can help when available.
- For individuals who use screen reader technology, eText session handout materials have been checked for accessibility and are available on the AHEAD Conference website (see “Program Materials” and “Session Handouts” in right hand menu) and Conference App.
Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Language access needs:
- Sign Language interpreters have been scheduled for all sessions where that service was requested. If you would like to ask about sign language interpreters for other conference activities, please ask at the main registration desk.
- CART Captioning will be automatically made available for all conference sessions, lunch and learns, Knowledge and Practice Community meetings, and receptions that include speaking portions. The captions will be on large screen monitors in each room. There is no need to schedule in advance. To request CART for other conference events, please ask at the main registration desk.
- Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) will be available at the registration desk. To borrow one at no cost, please inquire at the registration desk.
- All presenters are asked to use microphones during presentations and to ensure that others in the room also use the mic when speaking. A moderator will be present in each session to assist in passing the microphone around the room for Q&A/discussion as needed.
Sensory access needs:
- A quiet room (Tubman A, Hilton Level 3) will be available for AHEAD Conference attendees during all Conference event hours. This room includes low lighting, reduced noise, fidget/stim toys, and quiet activities like coloring books. Conversations in this room are absolutely not permitted.
- For anyone with scent sensitivities, all attendees are asked to refrain from the use of scented personal care products.
- Presenters have been asked to avoid flashing animations/lights in their sessions.
Other access needs:
- There are gender-neutral restrooms located across from Key Ballroom Section 9.
- Attendees are welcome to use their own transcription and notetaking devices, if desired. For example, Glean is available for all AHEAD attendees, free for 30 days. Sign up for your Glean free trial.
- The nursing/pumping room is located in the Convention Center, next to the restrooms, across from room 341.
- For service animals, there is a designated relief area (grass) in front of the Hilton. All other hotels with AHEAD discounted rates have their own designated animal relief areas. Please inquire at the hotel front desk for specific information.
- All dietary accommodation requests have been communicated to the chefs to ensure there are options for everyone. Available food will include labels with major ingredients.
- For anyone needing copies of presentation materials, accessible eText versions of session handouts and/or slides will be made available on the AHEAD Conference website (see “Program Materials” and “Session Handouts” in right hand menu) and Conference App.
- Events associated with AHEAD 2024 are non-smoking and non-vaping.
- AHEAD encourages all attendees to consistently take infection control measures such as thoroughly washing hands and containing coughs and sneezes. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, please consider other attendees' health and safety: test yourself for COVID, mask to avoid spreading germs, and avoid attending events in person until at least 24 hours after your fever subsides. Free KN95 masks are available for attendees at the AHEAD registration desk.
Individuals who have already privately requested other accommodations have been contacted by the AHEAD team.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please ask any AHEAD staff member at the Conference, or contact profdev@ahead.org.