ACA Meetings Accessibility Policy
Overall Policy
It is the policy of ACA to hold meetings, conferences, and other professional events where barriers of any type do not exclude people from attending or participating. ACA’s practices also follow the state laws where the meeting or event is to be held.
Chemical Sensitivity
All ACA events are smoke-free and as often as possible, held in smoke-free venues. Smoking is not permitted in any meeting or session rooms, business or networking events, or ACA-sponsored social events. Please be aware that some venues (i.e. specific hotels) may allow smoking in public areas. This policy also applies to those using e-cigarettes. Both types of cigarettes can be used in designated smoking areas as determined by the venue. Specific requests can be made to hotels within our block and the meeting venues that chemicals not be used on carpeting or guest rooms.
In addition, ACA encourages its meeting attendees to refrain from using perfume, cologne, aftershave and other fragranced personal care products for the health and safety of our attendees.
Chronic Pain
ACA attendees with disabilities (including chronic pain) often have difficulty in crowded locations with unintended pushing or taps that have caused pain or loss of balance. Please be aware of this and be considerate of all attendees while onsite at events.
Nursing Mothers
ACA will provide a locked room with a refrigerator for those nursing mothers who attend ACA major meetings.
Meeting Room Setup
Specific request will be made to ACA block hotels and meeting venues regarding adequate aisle space and cut-outs for wheelchair users in all meeting rooms and locations. Please note standard head tables (when used) include a podium and podium microphone. If you are presenting and require alternative arrangements (including a tabletop or lavaliere microphone, please notify your ACA Learning contact. Every effort will be made to set meeting rooms/locations to accommodate all attendees both as speakers and audience members.
Other Resources
U.S. GOVERNMENT
ASSOCIATIONS
- American Association of People with Disabilities
- Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers
- Association on Higher Education and Disability
- American Disability Association
- The Arc
- Association of University Centers on Disabilities
- Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Disability Resource Association
- Invisible Disabilities Association
- Learning Disabilities Association of America
- National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
- National Association of Disability Representatives
- National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services
- National Disability Rights Network
- National Organization on Disability
- TASH