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 venue (Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel) is available on their website, and there is a webpage with venue floor plans.
- Self-parking, including accessible parking spots, is available at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel parking garage on all levels for $54.00 per day, or per hour rate (1 hr $19, 2 hr $27, 3 hr $35, 4 hr $43)
- Transportation: Full accessibility information for Denver Transportation is available on their website. The below information was pulled from that website- for questions, please contact RTD (Reginal Transportation District) 303-299-600, TTY: Dial 711
- Buses: All All RTD buses, including the Free MallRide, (right outside the hotel off 16th Street Mall at 15th Steet and Court) Free MetroRide and rail vehicles, are accessibility for mobility aids such as wheelchairs, electric scooters, Segways, walkers and crutches. Bus and rail operators are trained to assist passengers with disabilities boarding or exiting the vehicle.
- Light Rail Vehicles: All RTD light rail vehicles are accessible to riders with mobility devices and have designated seating areas available for riders with mobility devices. Ramps are located at each station. Wait at the top of the ramp for the lead train car to stop and the operator will help you board and exit the lead train car.
- Accessible Van Rental: Several companies in the Denver metro area rent accessible vans. United Access and Mobility Works have airport delivery options.
- Wheelchair accessible taxis: There are several options for accessible taxi services. Most require advanced notice to reserve a ride. This information is from the Denver Airport website
- More information is also available on the ‘Denver 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.
- Orientation & Mobility services will be scheduled for attendees who request that accommodation in advance.
- If you need any assistance with going to/from spaces, AHEAD staff and volunteers 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 main conference concurrent 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 (Plaza Court 6) 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 in the Plaza Building Concourse Level adjacent to the elevator bank.
- Attendees are welcome to use their own transcription and notetaking devices, if desired. For example, Genio is available for all AHEAD attendees, free for 30 days. Sign up for your Genio free trial.
- A nursing/pumping room is available in Client Offices 1 & 2, across from the gender-neutral restrooms and immediately adjacent to Governors Square 17.
- For service animals, a designated animal relief area is available outside at the corner of 15th and Colfax. Specific directions are available from both the front desk and bell stand.
- 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 2025 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.