General Information

The meeting hotels are all located in the French Quarter, with its narrow stone and brick streets. Streets can be a challenge to navigate with sidewalks that are not always entirely even. Many buildings have steps and narrow passageways. Crowds, especially on Bourbon Street, can be overwhelming. Parking is at a premium, but a few streets have disabled parking signs. However, all hotels do have accessible entrances and facilities.

Airport

Louis Armstrong Airport (MSY) has three concourses that service 11 airlines servicing domestic and international locations. TDD phones are located throughout the airport. The airport's main TDD number is (504) 303-7677. Visual paging is located throughout the airport, as well. All facilities, including restrooms, are free of architectural barriers. There are no companion restrooms. The airport offers a service animal relief area adjacent to the short-term parking garage, with the exit through baggage claim near rental car counters.

Airport Shuttle New Orleans offers service from the airport to the hotels for $20 per person, one-way or $38 per person, roundtrip. Advance reservations are required 48 hours prior to travel for all ADA accessible transfers. For more details or to make a reservation, (phone: 866-596-2699 or 504-522-3500).

General Resources

A local company rents wheelchairs and scooters to meeting attendees in hotels, Mr. Wheelchair (phone: 800-548-9672). They also rent walkers, canes, cushions, crutches, and bathroom equipment. Scooter and wheelchair rentals are available through a national company operating in many U.S. cities, ScootAround Inc., toll-free at 888-441-7575, by e-mail at info@scootaround.com.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection and Enforcement has an online guide, "New Horizons: Information for the Air Traveler with a Disability" ). This site also explains how to file a complaint with the department.

A general resource is Barrier-Free Travels: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers ($19.95; 2009, 3d edition;). It contains detailed information about the logistics of planning accessible travel—whether by plane, train, or bus. The book includes important details about accessible air travel, traveling with oxygen, accessible ground transportation, choosing a travel agent, online booking, accessible recreation, and budget travel. It isalso available in bookstores.

Information about Hotels

The information that follows is provided to assist AHA Annual Meeting attendees with disabilities for obtaining the reasonable accommodations they require. Please refer to this information when making hotel reservations or arrangements to participate in program sessions and other events. In particular, guests should advise the selected hotel about specific needs when making room reservations.

All hotels have accessible lobbies; several have autoslide doors. Thresholds and doormats are in compliance with American with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations and door-service personnel are available at most properties. Lobbies have marble floors and/or low-pile area carpeting. All hotels have accessible registration desks or provide clipboards to guests to complete registration documentation. Elevators connect all levels of each hotel. Each elevator has a wheelchair accessible keypad, Braille numerals beside each control button, and audible direction. Restrooms in lobbies and on meeting room floors are wheelchair accessible and have tactile signage.

All hotels have accessible guest rooms. The number of such rooms at each property is noted in the listing below. Among other amenities, these rooms feature: wheelchair-accessible doors, lever/lever door handles, security peepholes, ample room space, grab bars in restrooms, low sinks with insulated pipes, accessible towel racks, and accessible mirrors. The following auxiliary aids are available at most properties: flashing fire alarm, doorbell, and telephone; vibrating alarm clock; closed-caption decoders; Braille signage; and TDD telephones.

All hotels have a smoke-free policy

New Orleans Marriott

Entrance: The main entrance on Canal Street is accessible with a small elevator lift. The parking lot entrance on Chartres Street is accessible

Parking: Valet-only parking is available at the Chartres Street entrance.

Guest rooms: The hotel has 25 accessible rooms, six with roll-in showers.

Restaurants: 5 Fifty 5, 55 Fahrenheit, and Starbucks are all accessible.

Sheraton New Orleans

Entrances: The entrance on Canal Street has stairs and no ramp. Wheelchair users must use the main valet entrance on the corner of Camp and Canal Streets.

Parking: Accessible parking spaces are available. Guests should enter on Camp Street.

Guest rooms: The hotel has 20 king and 20 double room accommodations designated for persons with accessibility requirements. Guest can select rooms with roll-in shower or a tub.

Hotel Monteleone

Entrance: The hotel's main entrance on Royal Street is not accessible. Wheelchair users should enter the garage entrance on Bienville Street.

Parking: Valet-only parking available, with lobby area less than 100 feet distant.

Guest rooms: The hotel has 20 accessible rooms, four with roll-in showers.

Restaurants: The hotel's two restaurants—Criollo Restaurant & Lounge and Carousel Bar & Lounge—are accessible.

Roosevelt New Orleans

Entrances: The main entrance on University Street is not accessible. Wheelchair users should enter on Barrone Street.

Parking: Valet-only parking available at the hotel, and the garage can accommodate accessible vehicles.

Guest rooms: The hotel has 10 ADA-equipped guest rooms.

Restaurants: The hotel's eateries are accessible, Sazerac Restaurant and Bar, Teddy's Café, and Domenica Restaurant.

Astor Crowne Plaza/Astor Hotel

Entrances: The hotel's entrances on Canal Street and Bourbon Street are accessible, although the Bourbon Street entrance does not have an automatic door.

Parking: Valet-only parking available at the hotel, and the garage can accommodate accessible vehicles.

Guest rooms: The hotel has 8 ADA-equipped guest rooms, three with roll-in showers.

Restaurant: Dickie Brennan's Bourbon House Restaurant & Oyster Bar is accessible.