Information about accessibility at the annual meeting and in the hotels.
Hotels
All meeting hotels have accessible lobbies with at least one entrance with auto-slide doors; door-service personnel are available at other entrances. Thresholds and doormats are in compliance with American with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. Lobbies have marble floors and/or low-pile area carpeting. Elevators connect all levels of each property. Each elevator has a wheelchair-accessible keypad. Elevators either have audible announcements or Braille numerals beside each control button. Restrooms in lobbies and on meeting room floors are wheelchair accessible and have tactile signage.
All hotels have accessible registration desks or provide clipboards to guests to complete registration documentation. 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 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.
New Orleans Marriot
The Porte Cochere entrance is accessible, and the Canal Street entrance has an accessible lift.
Parking: Valet parking only; get in touch with the hotel about possible accommodations. Max height 5’9”.
Guest Rooms: The hotel has 36 accessible rooms.
Meeting Rooms: All meeting rooms are accessible.
Other: Pool lifts are in place.
Sheraton New Orleans
The main accessible entrance is the entrance off Canal in between Camp and Magazine.
Parking: Accessible self-parking and valet parking. Max height 6’5”. Four electric car charging stations available.
Guest rooms: The hotel has 84 accessible rooms, but only 11 with roll-in showers which need to be specifically requested.
Meeting Rooms: All meeting rooms are accessible.
JW Marriott New Orleans
Both the Canal Street and Common Street entrances are accessible; Canal requires a room key for access.
Parking: Valet parking only.
Guest Rooms: The hotel has 24 accessible rooms.
Hotel Monteleone
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
Accessible Transportation
The public transportation system in New Orleans is accessible, though some Green Streetcars may not be accessible. Details are available at norta.com/Accessibility/Overview.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis are not available in the city. Accessible vans are available for rental through txwheelchairvans.com. Airport Shuttle New Orleans offers accessible transportation from the airport: airportshuttleneworleans.com/ada
Scooter and wheelchair rentals are available by contacting ScootAround (888-441-7575)
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 ADA 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
Members with hearing impairment who will need sign-interpreting service at the AHA annual meeting must notify the AHA Headquarters Office and register for the meeting by November 1, 2021. The request should include the sessions they plan to attend. The AHA will secure the services of appropriate interpreters. The AHA will assume the cost for up to nine hours of sign language interpreting service per member.
An interpreter may also be provided upon request for the presidential address (Friday, January 7) and the annual business meeting (Saturday, January 8).
Assistive listening devices are also available on request.
Please contact annualmeeting@historians.org by November 1, 2021, if you would like to request an interpreter or assistive listening device.
Other Resources
US Department of Transportation’s New Horizons: Information for the Air Traveler with a Disability
NOLARolla: New Orleans wheelchair accessible travel guide (Blog)