Accommodations Offered at AAA 2023+HearTECH Expo
The American Academy of Audiology is committed to working closely with the Seattle Convention Center and all of our other vendors to provide appropriate and reasonable accommodations for an accessible conference experience for attendees at AAA 2023+HearTECH Expo.
The accommodations outlined below will automatically be made available for all attendees, from Wednesday, April 19 through Saturday, April 22.
If you have any questions or concerns about accommodations, contact AAAinfo@audiology.org.
Auditory
Real-Time Speech-to-Text Transcription
Real-time speech-to-text transcription services will be available in each educational session room (Learning Modules, Mini Modules, Research Podiums, Student Research Forum, Learning Labs, Featured Sessions, Grand Rounds, and Student Series).
Real-time speech-to-text transcription services will be projected on a screen for the entire audience by utilizing artificial intelligence for the speech-to-text transcription. Seating location in the meeting room and ambient noise will not affect the transcription since the audio is received directly from the speaker’s microphone. Because the captioning will be displayed on to a large screen at the front of the room, no additional devices will be required by the attendee for viewing the captioning. Speakers will be directed to speak clearly and slowly and to repeat audience questions for inclusion in the speech-to-text transcription.
All session rooms will have reserved seating available within the first two-three rows.
Assistive Listening Devices
We will have portable assistive listening devices for use throughout the conference for any attendee. There will be “how to” guides provided and on-site instructional support to assist attendees with any questions or difficulties they may have. The personal FM system kits provided will include an FM transmitter and personal receiver as well as a neck loop, headphones and an earbud.
Assistive listening devices will be available for pick-up at the Assistive Listening counter in our Registration Area at the Convention Center. Assistive listening devices will be made available for attendees who choose to participate in HearTECH Hub sessions and Industry Update Sessions. Those devices will be located either in the Hub or in the Industry Update rooms.
Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART)
CART Captioning will be available and projected on the large screens at the General Sessions, the Students with Hearing Loss meeting, and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Audiologist meeting.
Each session will have reserved seating for those attendees who need to sit close to the stage in order to better hear the speaker(s).
If you have specific questions about the above, please feel free to reach out to us at AAAinfo@audiology.org.
Visual
All session rooms will have reserved seating available within the first two-three rows to allow attendees to sit closer to the stage for better visual and auditory accessibility. Presenters will also be provided with specific guidelines and best practices (drawn from organizations that specialize in this area) for developing PowerPoint slides that are accessible to all.
Mobility
For those in need of mobile assistance on-site at the Seattle Convention Center, please see the recommended Scooter Rental Companies below. Attendees will be required to make their own arrangements. Advance notice when booking is recommended for planning purposes.
Wheels for Feet
Phone: (425) 256-2882 or (855) 494-3338
Email: sales@Wheelsforfeet.com
Hours: M-S: 8:00 am-8:00 pm PST
Website: wheelsforfeet.com
Access Medical Equipment
Phone: (206) 365-7700
Email: quotes@accessmedicalequipment.com
Hours: M-F: 10:00 am-6:00 pm, S: 11:00 am-4:00 pm PST
Website: amerents.com
Scootaround
Phone: (888) 441-7575
Email: info@scootaround.com
Hours: M-S: 8:00 am-6:30 pm CST
Website: scootaround.com
How to Let the Academy Know About My Accessibility Needs
While the auditory and visual accommodations outlined above will be provided by the Academy automatically, we ask that you let us know in advance regarding your specific plans.
When registering for the conference, select the Special Accommodations section, and indicate whether you require hearing, visual or mobility accommodations no later than April 5, 2023. Academy staff will follow-up to confirm receipt.
The Academy is committed to ensuring the conference is accessible to every attendee. Therefore, if the above offered accommodations are not sufficient for your participation at AAA 2023, please contact us to discuss feasible alternatives by April 5, 2023. The Academy is unable to guarantee availability of any requests made after that date.
If you have any questions or concerns about accommodations, please contact AAAinfo@audiology.org.
New this year! Visit the Hearing Accessibility Pavilion in HearTECH Expo on Thursday and Friday, where we will focus on education and hands-on demonstration of products to optimize patient communication in daily life and support equal access for individuals with hearing loss. The pavilion will provide attendees with opportunities to learn and test the latest strategies, technologies, and solutions for hearing accessibility, all of which will enhance the value you deliver to your patients and setting your practice apart from others.
