It is the policy of APHA to hold events (meetings, conferences and professional gatherings) where physical and communication barriers do not exclude people with disabilities from attending and participating.
Please find below a listing of Access Services that will be offered at the APHA Meeting in Boston.
Anyone requiring special assistance at the APHA Annual Meeting should indicate needs on the registration and housing forms. Specific requests can also be made directly to access@apha.org. A PDF copy of this information can be requested by emailing access@apha.org.
The Boston Commission for Persons with Disabilites has more information on getting around Boston.
Table of Content
Accessibility Desk
Accessibility Guidelines for Oral Presentations
Accessibility Guidelines for Poster Presentations
Accessible Transportation
American Sign Language Interpreters (ASL)
APHA Disability Section
Assistive Listening Devices
Chemical Sensitivity
Chronic Pain
Convention Center
Equipment and Services
First Aid Station
Hotel/Housing
Information Desks
Lactation Room
Meeting Room Setup
Mobility Constraints
Registration of Personal Aide
Scientific Program and Abstracts
Visual Impairment
Accessibility Desk
An Accessibility Desk will be set up in the registration area of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. APHA continues to provide this service to address the concerns of registrants with accessibility needs. Stop by to find out how to navigate between APHA properties, arrange for the use of assistive listening devices, get information about the complimentary shuttle bus service, request accessible van pick up, and get answers to any additional questions.
The Accessibility Desk is also the place to pick up hard copies of the Access Guide and to ask for assistance. The desk is staffed during registration hours.
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Chemical Sensitivity
The APHA Annual Meeting is a smoke-free event. Smoking is not permitted in any of the meeting rooms used for scientific sessions, business meetings or APHA sponsored social events. The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center is a smoke-free environment, be aware however, that some hotels do allow smoking in some public areas. Specific requests will be made to the hotels and the convention center, that chemicals not be used on the meeting room carpeting within 4 days of the commencement of our meeting and that only unscented products be used in guest rooms. In addition, APHA requests that its meeting attendees refrain wearing (using) perfume, cologne, aftershave, and other fragranced, scented, or odorous personal care products such as shampoo, hairspray, and hand lotion, for the health and comfort of meeting participants.
APHA's official decorator, GES, installs new carpeting just before the Public Health Expo opens. This carpeting is made from 25% post industrial recycled fiber, is 100% recyclable, is classified as low voc (volatile organic compound).
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Chronic Pain
APHA members with disabilities (including chronic pain) have indicated that in crowded locations and at other times at APHA they experience perhaps unintended pushing or well-intended taps that have caused pain or have caused them to lose their balance. Please be aware of this and be considerate of all registrants.
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Convention Center
The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center is a state-of-the-art facility, fully accessible to wheelchair users. Meeting rooms, exhibit halls and public areas are all accessible and served by conveniently located elevators and escalators. Telephones, drinking fountains and restrooms located throughout the facility are also wheelchair accessible.
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Equipment and Services
These references are provided for information purposes only. Meeting participants are required to arrange for and cover costs associated with the renting of mobility aids (such as scooters) or access services. APHA does not reimburse for costs incurred by attendees for this equipment or access services.
Van Rentals
Durable Medical Equipment
Scooter/Wheelchair Rentals
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First Aid Station
A First Aid Station will be staffed at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (North Lobby E) during annual meeting hours. If you feel ill or need a place to lie down, go to the First Aid Station. In case of a medical emergency in the Convention Center call 617-954-2221 from a portable phone.
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Information Deskes
APHA information desks will be set up at the APHA meeting hotel, as well as the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. These desks will be staffed by temporary and/or APHA staff who are knowledgeable about the hotel convention center properties. They will also be able to provide information about session locations, the APHA program, the shuttle schedules, accessibility information, etc. Registrants who need to request a wheelchair accessible pick up can use the information desk phone to do so.
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Lactation Room
In response to members requests, breastfeeding rooms have been designated at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Centerand the Westin Boston Waterfront to enable new mothers to nurse or pump in a comfortable and private area.
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Meeting Room Setup
Specific requests will be made to the APHA Meeting Hotels and the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center regarding adequate aisle space and cut-outs for wheel chair users in all meeting rooms. Please note the standard head table set up provides a podium and podium microphone. If you are presenting a paper, and require a tabletop or lavaliere microphone, please notify APHA in writing at least 3 weeks in advance of the meeting. Every effort will be made to set meeting rooms to accommodate people with disabilities both as speakers and in the audience, please contact us at access@apha.org or by phone at (202) 777-2478 with any accessibility requests.
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Mobility Constraints
Due to the large size of the APHA Annual Meeting, sessions are sometimes spread out and distances between sessions can be considerable. If you are a regular wheelchair user you should bring your chair with you. If you can get along without a wheelchair but feel that you may need one to navigate the distances at the Convention Center, electric scooters can be rented.
Transportation is avialable between properties. The Accessibility booth can also provide you with transportation information and access to the on-call van service.
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Registration of Personal Aide/Companion
Should you require an aide or personal assistant to help you navigate the Annual Meeting, APHA will register your aide as a complimentary guest. Please contact access@apha.org to register your personal aide (name, city and state is required for the badge). Badge for personal aide will be mailed to original registrant along with his/her attendee badge. Personal aides may attend sessions and access the exhibit hall, but are not able to earn CE credits or to use the electronic message center. If you need APHA to arrange for an aide to help you navigate the meeting, request must be submitted in writing outlining specific type of assistance required. Email requests to access@apha.org.
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