Accessibility & Inclusion

ASHE is committed to offering an accessible learning and socializing environment for attendees. Accessibility is an individual and ongoing process. We strive to make presenting and attending as inclusive as possible. Here are preliminary measures we have taken to expand conference accessibility. We recognize that there may be additional ways in which we can make events accessible for individuals. We will work with each attendee on a case-by-case basis to ensure we provide resources for an accessible conference.

Contacts | Accomodation Requests | Arriving & Departing Minneapolis | Conference Accesibility & Inclusion | Virtual Conference Day Accessibility & Inclusion

Conference Accessibility and Inclusion Contacts

Prior to the Conference, you can contact the following ASHE staff directly for questions or concerns:

  • General Staff email at conference@ashe.ws
  • Jason P. Guilbeau, ASHE Executive Director
    jason@ashe.ws, (202) 660‑4106

Any on-site accessibility concerns can be brought to the attention of the ASHE Staff (located at the Conference Help Desk) or a hotel staff member.

Accommodation Requests

Event registrants will have the opportunity to add accessibility requests when they register for an event. This includes requirements for attending or presenting at sessions. ASHE Staff can best meet needs when notified at least 3 weeks prior to any event.

For the annual conference, submitting accessibility requests on the registration form or by contacting the ASHE Conference and Accessibility and Inclusion Contacts prior to September 30, 2023 allows the ASHE Staff ample time to make necessary accommodations for the in-person conference.

Arriving & Departing from Minneapolis

TSA Help Line: 1-866-289-9673

The TSA Help Line assists travelers planning to fly on any airline in the United States. TSA Cares is a helpline to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. TSA recommends that passengers call 72 hours ahead of travel for information about what to expect during screening.

Minneapolis Saint-Paul (MSP) Airport

Accessibility information (including parking, lactation rooms, service animals, wheelchair access, restrooms, etc) for the airport can be found on their website via the following links:

General Conference Accessibility & Inclusion

The 2023 ASHE General Conference Headquarters Hotel will be the Hilton Minneapolis. The Hilton Minneapolis is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act required under Title III.

Hotel Rooms

The 2023 ASHE Conference Headquarters Hotel will be the Hilton Minneapolis. The Hilton Minneapolis is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act required under Title III. You may review the full list of accessible amenities and features at the hotel .

The Hilton Minneapolis offers accessible rooms that are also wheelchair-access compliant. These include roll-in showers or tub transfers. In addition, hearing-impaired equipment, known as TTY telephones, are available upon request and select rooms are hypoallergenic.

Hotel reservations must be made through the ASHE portal at ashe.ws/hotels2023. To request an accessible room, enter the requested room type in the comments on the reservation page and staff will process your reservation accordingly. 

Captioning and Interpreting Services

The Opening Session and Presidential Address as well as the two Plenary Sessions will be live captioned as well have ASL Interpretation.

Attendees can request additional communication access such as interpreting for breakout sessions through their registration form or by contacting the ASHE Conference Accessibility and Inclusion Contacts by September 30, 2023 to allow time for scheduling services.

Meeting Spaces

Meeting spaces are accessible via elevator, escalator, and stairs. 

Mindfulness Room

ASHE is committed to identifying dedicated and accessible spaces within the main conference hotel as they are available.  The Mindfulness Room will be a private, enclosed room available by reservation for attendees seeking a place to engage in prayer or meditative practices, take a break or recharge during the conference. For more information, please visit the Conference Help Desk during the Conference.

Lactation Room

A private enclosed space will be solely available by reservation for attendees that are pumping and/or breastfeeding. For more information, please visit the Conference Help Desk during the Conference.

All Gender Restrooms

ASHE recognizes that single-gender restrooms reinforce a binary understanding of sex assigned at birth and/or gender expression and thus excludes some ASHE members. To be consistent with ASHE’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, many of our headquarters hotels’ restrooms, which are usually assigned as “men” and “women,” are converted to All-Gender Restrooms in an attempt to alleviate the fear of harassment and threats to individual users. Throughout the conference, restrooms in the event space of the headquarters hotel and conference floors will be All Gender Restrooms and available to all conference participants inclusive of gender identity and expression. All-Gender Restrooms will be clearly marked with signs outside of each restroom entrance. More information will be provided in October.

Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

In creating menus, ASHE strives to ensure there are a variety of acceptable food preference options. If you have specific food allergies or dietary restrictions, please include this on your registration form or contact the ASHE Conference Accessibility and Inclusion Contacts. If menu options do not meet a conference attendee’s dietary needs, please notify any hotel server and they can provide an alternative option.

Gender Pronouns and Name Badges

When you register for ASHE 2023, you will be able to enter your gender pronouns. These will appear on your printed name badge. ASHE's values of diversity, inclusion, and equity call upon us all to be mindful of and use others' gender pronouns. Further information on the practice and understanding of pronoun usage is available through Pronouns.org - Using Personal Pronouns .

Virtual Conference Day Accessibility & Inclusion

The Virtual Conference Day will be hosted through Zoom and will be captioned with AI transcribing from Zoom Live Transcripts. Attendees can request additional communication access (interpreting or CART) for sessions through their registration form or by contacting the ASHE Conference Accessibility and Inclusion Contacts by September 30, 2023 to allow time for scheduling services.