Accessibility Information
Disability and Assistance
AAR & SBL members with disabilities or any attendees who may have difficulty getting around the meeting are encouraged to note this on your registration form, as well as on the housing section of registration, if applicable. AAR & SBL will make every reasonable attempt to provide accommodations and assistance, whether by arranging services such as sign language interpreters, assigning accessible hotel rooms, or through the AAR & SBL’s taxi reimbursement policy. Please contact the 2023 Annual Meetings at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Accessibility in Downtown San Antonio
The city of San Antonio through the Disability and Access Office, Transportation, and Capital Improvements, has been actively working to make the Downtown area and the River Walk accessible and usable to all people. Click here for River Walk maps that show ramps, elevators, and paths. Information regarding Audible pedestrian signals in Downtown San Antonio, along with a map of their location can be found here.
Accessibility at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
Click here for information regarding ADA services within the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
Access to and between the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and Main Hotels
Most AAR and SBL sessions will be held in five locations—the Henry B. González Convention Center (mostly), Grand Hyatt, Marriott Rivercenter, Marriott Riverwalk, Hilton Palacio Del Rio, and Hyatt Regency. The Grand Hyatt is adjacent to the convention center. The Marriott Riverwalk is across the street, and the Hilton is across the street on the far side.
Approximate Distances from the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
- Grand Hyatt San Antonio - adjacent
- Hyatt Regency Riverwalk – 0.7 miles
- Hilton Palacio del Rio – across the street
- La Quinta Convention Center – 0.3 miles
- San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter – 0.2 miles
- San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk – across the street
- Westin Riverwalk – 0.8 miles
Taxi Reimbursement
AAR & SBL will reimburse attendees with disabilities for the cost of a taxi or ride-share service to travel between official Annual Meetings 2023 locations, if needed. To receive the reimbursement, please submit all receipts with a letter detailing the nature of your disability, your departure point, and your destination. Only travel between official Annual Meeting locations (i.e., hotels and convention center) will be covered, and only from November 18-21. Reimbursements should be directed to [email protected].
Wheelchair or Electric Scooter Rental
Attendees who wish to rent a wheelchair or electric scooter for use during the Annual Meeting are encouraged to contact the following provider to arrange for service: Tom’s Wheelchair/Scooter Rental, 118 Broadway St., San Antonio, TX 78205. They are offering a 10% discount for AAR and SBL attendees, as well as free delivery to the convention center and hotels in our room block. Tom’s Wheelchair/Sooter Rental can be reached by phone at (210) 223-7878 or email [email protected].
Onsite Accessibility Issues
Should you encounter an accessibility issue at the Annual Meeting, please notify staff at the AAR & SBL Registration Desk, or email [email protected].
ASL Interpreter Services
SBL & AAR provides interpreter services for attendees who request ASL interpretation in advance of the meeting. To request interpreter service, contact AAR at [email protected] no later than September 1 to ensure that AAR & SBL have sufficient time to arrange for appropriate interpreters. If members inform AAR & SBL about their anticipated attendance at particular sessions, AAR & SBL staff will coordinate with presenters and session presiders to secure advance copies of papers for interpreters.
Assisted Listening System
We can equip any conference meeting room with an assisted listening system. AAR & SBL will provide receivers to attendees who request them in advance. If you would like to make use of this service, please email [email protected] by October 15.
Materials in Alternative Format
Attendees who need materials in alternative formats should contact the presenters directly. If you need contact information, please email AAR & SBL at [email protected]. If members inform SBL & AAR about their needs and their anticipated attendance at particular sessions, AAR & SBL staff will do their best to coordinate with presenters and session presiders to facilitate the availability of handouts or other session materials in alternative formats.
Meeting Room Accessibility
All sessions at the Annual Meetings 2023 are accessible to attendees using wheelchairs or scooters. Meeting room chairs will be arranged to ensure two open spaces for attendees using wheelchairs.
Sighted Guide or Mobility Assistance
Attendees who need a sighted guide or other mobility assistance to navigate the annual meeting should email [email protected] by October 15.
Volunteer to Assist Your Colleagues
Are you able to devote a few hours of your time at the annual meeting to assist a colleague? Please contact [email protected] if you are able to serve as a sighted guide, or to provide mobility assistance during a portion of the annual meeting.
Health and Safety Requirements
The Annual Meetings 2023 is committed to creating an event experience where our participants, partners, publishers, staff, and volunteers can safely and effectively conduct business, network, and learn. The Annual Meetings 2023 will follow current CDC guidelines at the time of the meeting, as well as any applicable protocols that may be required by our venues, state and local governments.
The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center – is committed to the health and safety of our guests, employees, and partners, and they continue with many protocols established over the last few years to ensure the facility is clean and safe.
Clean Hands: Hand sanitizers will be placed in all public spaces, meeting room corridors, show floor areas and food and beverage areas. Participants are encouraged to regularly wash and disinfect their hands.
Masks/Face Coverings: We understand and respect the fact that some Annual Meetings 2023 attendees may wish to wear masks. We want all attendees to feel comfortable and safe and we welcome your choice to wear a mask. Face coverings are still highly recommended for those who are immunocompromised and those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated. Face masks will be provided at the AAR & SBL registration desk and information desks.