The information that follows is provided to assist AHA Annual Meeting attendees with disabilities in 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 hotels 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.

 

Hotels

Hilton Atlanta

Parking: An elevator from the self-parking garage leads directly to the hotel lobby. Self-parking spaces are based on availability and are not guaranteed. Ceiling height limit is 6 feet. For oversized vehicles only, valet parking service is available. Valet parking service is available in front of the hotel only. Valet parking spaces are based on availability and are not guaranteed. Special car parking spaces and wheelchair van parking is available nearby at other parking lots and garages that are not operated by Hilton Atlanta.
Guest rooms: The hotel has 35 ADA-approved accessible rooms, two on floors 9 through 25, and one room on the 26th floor. ADA rooms are based on availability and are not guaranteed.
Meeting rooms: The meeting rooms are located on floors 1, 2, 3, and 4 and are all accessible. The Crystal Ballroom and Crystal Executive Boardroom, which is bi-bevel, are equipped with one wheelchair lift.
Restaurants: Southern Elements, Nikolai’s Roof, and Trader Vic’s are accessible.

Atlanta Marriott Marquis

Parking: Hotel staff at the Peachtree Center Avenue valet parking entrance accommodate ADA guests.
Guest rooms: Forty wheelchair-accessible guest rooms are available.
Meeting rooms: The International, Marquis, Lobby, and Atrium levels are all accessible.
Restaurants: Sear, High Velocity, Pulse Bar, Starbucks, and the M Store are accessible.

Hyatt Regency Atlanta

Parking: Guests should arrive at the Motor Entrance Lobby on Peachtree Center Avenue at the rear of the hotel for valet staff to assist with accessible parking.
Guest rooms: 36 mobility accessible guestrooms, including 17 with roll-in showers, 35 hearing impaired accessible guestrooms, 5 also with mobility accessibility, and auxiliary assistive devices are available on request. The fitness center is fully accessible via the Radius Tower elevators from the lobby level. The pool deck is fully accessible with a pool lift permanently installed.
Meeting rooms: Meeting rooms are in the International Tower and the Conference Hall Level and are accessible.
Restaurants: SWAY Restaurant and 22 Stories Lobby Bar are accessible. Braille menus are available.

Accessible Transportation

MARTA is dedicated to making public transportation accessible to everyone, regardless of disability. All 91 bus routes are equipped with wheelchair lifts or kneeling capabilities. In addition, MARTA operates mobility services for qualified riders. MARTA provides ADA Complementary Paratransit Service to eligible persons with disabilities who are unable to board, ride, or disembark from an accessible vehicle in MARTA’s regular bus or rail services. Service is provided with special lift-equipped vans on a curb-to-curb, shared-ride basis. Certified individuals having a MARTA ADA Photo Identification Card may call the MARTA Mobility Reservation Office at (404) 848-5000 Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Scooter rentals are available by contacting ScootAround Inc., toll-free at 888-441-7575, by e-mail at info@scootaround.com, or online at www.scootaround.com.

Checker Cab
To reserve a fully accessible van, call (404) 351-1111 24–48 hours in advance.

Accessible Dining Guide

The Emory Disability Studies Initiative created an accessible restaurant guide: Download PDF.

Service Animals Welcome

The American Historical Association is committed to making the annual meeting accessible. Service animals are welcome at all events, sessions, and venues. The Americans with Disabilities Act protects the right of people with disabilities to be accompanied by trained service animals in public places. Remember, not all disabilities are visible and service animals are not required to wear special equipment or tags. Service animals are working and should not be distracted without permission.

Fragrance

Please help us to accommodate attendees who are sensitive to fragrances by refraining from wearing scented products.

Sign Interpreting

Hearing-impaired members who will need sign-interpreting service at the AHA annual meeting must notify the AHA Headquarters Office and register for the meeting by December 1, 2015. The request should include the sessions they plan to attend. The AHA will, with the assistance of the Registry of Interpreters, secure the services of appropriate interpreters. The AHA will assume the cost for up to nine hours of sign language interpreting service or a maximum of $400 per member, whichever is less.

An interpreter may also be provided upon request for the presidential address (Friday, January 8) and the annual business meeting (Saturday, January 9). Please contact Debbie Doyle at ddoyle@historians.org by December 1, 2015, if you would like to request this service.

Other Resources

U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection
New Horizons: Information for the Air Traveler with a Disability
Barrier-Free Travels: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers