ABAI secures event sites years in advance. In doing so, several factors are considered for the location, size, and costs. Additionally, ABAI considers sociopolitical context for safety, welcomeness, and inclusion. While each event location differs, the core features of our events are listed below.
19th Annual Autism Conference: Important Phone Numbers
In the case of a security, medical, or other safety issue during the event, please call these phone numbers. More information is available in the Event Space Emergency Procedures section of this page.
Sheraton New Orleans Hotel: (504) 525-2500
Loss Prevention: from any house phone dial 36, extension 5090, or direct dial (504) 592-5604
Accessibility
ABAI is committed to providing a welcoming, accessible environment for all attendees. If you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact us at convention@abainternational.org. Our team will confirm and communicate as needed for follow-up and on-site support. We will make every effort to accommodate all requests within the logistical limits of our venues.
As a Presenter
Presentations are normally given from a stage requiring a few stairs to reach. Speaker podiums/lecterns are 3’ 10” tall, and speakers are typically expected to present from the podium/lectern standing up for the duration of the presentation, especially if the microphone is in a fixed position. Seating is available for the presenter before and after their presentation. Panel sessions will have seats pre-arranged on stage. If there are any issues with this set up, please communicate with ABAI early to discuss accommodations such as a step, stool, or ramp.
For the Audience
Below are a few accessibility resources for presenters to consider incorporating during their session to create an inclusive and accessible environment for their audience.
- Captioning: Presenters may turn on the captioning (subtitles) during their presentation. PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Keynote applications have easy-to-use captioning support and instructions (see resources and links below). Turning on the captioning feature allows your microphone to capture your speech and displays it as text directly on your slides in real time.
- Readability: Strong contrast between the text and background colors makes the slides easier to view. Larger text sizes also help – try to avoid using font sizes smaller than 18pt. Sans serif fonts are most readable. Additionally, try to avoid placing a lot of text on the very bottom of your slides, as folks in the back may not be able to see it.
- Descriptions: When displaying a table, graph, or image, it is helpful to talk through and describe the various reference points, rather than gesturing to the screen. It is also helpful to give a brief description of what is in a video before you play it to the audience.
- Q&As: If your session incorporates questions from the audience, please have them use the microphone and/or you can repeat the audience member’s question before answering so everyone knows what was asked.
Getting Around
At every event, ABAI will make full use of the available facilities, and in some cases, events will be spread out across buildings or venues. ABAI works with the hosting venue to ensure that there are many places to sit and rest in hallways, near session rooms, in lobbies, and in any other available space, depending on the location.
Many locations will include a map and/or interactive map on their websites, which we will provide as applicable. Please note that the maps are illustrative, and the rooms and/or seating may be arranged differently for our events.
General accessibility and mobility resources across the U.S. are available in the Resources section at the bottom of this page. Additional local resources will be made available before each event.
Event Seating
At ABAI events, we ensure that each room has wheelchair/scooter seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone with limited mobility or who is using a mobility device such as a scooter, walker, crutches, or wheelchair may wait near the front of the line to use this accessible seating. There will be limited, marked accessible seating in each session room for those with hearing and/or visual impairments. For onsite help, please alert an ABAI staff member.
Restrooms
All U.S.-based event sites must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For non-U.S. locations, ABAI contracts with venues and facilities that have restrooms that are accessible for all guests.
Personal and Parental Supports
Personal
For personal use accommodations at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, the Maurepas Room located on the 4th floor will serve as a prayer and meditation room, while also functioning as a quiet or sensory-break room. Attendees may access the room as needed, but we kindly request that everyone respects the intended purposes of the space and considers the comfort of others. The room will be unlocked and available during normal event hours.
Childcare/Sitter Services
Below are some licensed sitter agencies, with fully background-checked sitters who will come to your hotel room to provide childcare at competitive rates. Please note that this information was sourced online, and ABAI is not affiliated with these service suppliers.
Nursing Room
The Oakley Room is designated for nursing and is conveniently located near the elevators and escalators on the 4th floor. To obtain the room key and onsite assistance, please visit ABAI staff at the registration desk in the Napoleon Foyer on the 3rd floor. For exact locations, refer to the attendee map.
Report Safety, Discrimination, and Harassment Incidents to ABAI
ABAI staff have protocols in place to support members. In the event a member feels unsafe or has experienced harassment or other incident, locate an ABAI staff member. ABAI has a policy on sexual and other harassment, a communications policy, and a form for constituents to report such incidents via the website which is also accessible via the ABAI events app.
Event Space Emergency Procedures
Crisis, both natural and man-made, could result in the need for guests to evacuate the hotel, relocate to an alternate assembly area, or remain in their location until the threat of danger has passed. The Sheraton New Orleans has a dedicated staff of Loss Prevention Officers who monitor the emergency notification system at all times and provide instructions to our guests to provide for their safety.
Security
In an emergency situation requiring immediate action, the Loss Prevention Office should be contacted from any house phone by dialing 36, extension 5090, or direct dial (504) 592-5604. A Loss Prevention Officer will respond to determine the appropriate course of action to take and what, if any, assistance is needed from the local emergency responders. If it is deemed necessary to take shelter within the facility, the public address system will be utilized to provide specific instruction.
Medical
In case of an emergency, contact Loss Prevention at extension 5090 immediately. A Loss Prevention Officer will respond to offer assistance and contact the appropriate medical responders for assistance. The Loss Prevention Officers have been trained for AED, CPR, first aid, and basic life saving techniques. A guest may contact 911 from a guest room phone if the situation warrants and time does not allow for contacting the Loss Prevention Officer. Loss Prevention will be alerted by an internal 911 monitor and respond to offer assistance as well as the appropriate medical responder. If a guest chooses to contact 911 by cell phone, Loss Prevention should also be contacted to offer assistance and to guide the medical responders to the appropriate area.
There are four AED units located on property. They are located: lobby level near the bell desk, loading dock near LP office, fitness center, and 29th floor service elevator landing.
For non-emergency situations, see nearby health care facilities, including:
LCMC Health Center
1415 Tulane Ave
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 988-5263
Concentra Urgent Care
318 Baronne St
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 561-1051
Ochsner Urgent Care & Occupational Health
900 Magazine St
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 552-2433
CVS Pharmacy 939 Girod St #160 New Orleans, LA 70113(504) 581-6959
Fire
In a fire emergency, the automatic fire detection and suppression system will activate to alert occupants of the situation and to extinguish any fire. The Emergency Response Team, consisting of Loss Prevention and Engineering, will respond to, investigate, and react as necessary. Occupants shall move calmly to the nearest fire exit stairway, utilize the handrail, proceed down the stairs in single file to the ground level and exit the building. There are stairwells at the end of each guest floor that lead to ground level and out of the building. All guests should cross Canal Street and meet in the porte cochere of the Marriott. The fire alarm system will notify occupants in the immediate area of the emergency first then notify the remainder of the hotel. Follow the directions received over the public address system and from the Emergency Response Team.
SAFETY & SECURITY
- Do not use elevators to evacuate.
- Ensure other guests leave with you.
- Remain calm.
Tornado/Severe Weather/Flood
The Loss Prevention Team will monitor weather conditions via a weather alert system and direct contact with the local authorities during severe weather. In the event of a severe weather warning by the Weather Service, Loss Prevention will make an announcement via the public address system. Occupants in the guest room tower should move to the hallway and sit outside the guest room and await further instructions. The guest room door should be shut after departure. Occupants in the public or ballroom space should relocate to the center of the room away from windows and doors and sit on the floor to await further instructions. Announcements will be made on the public address system to keep guests informed and to provide additional instructions. When these warnings and alerts have been lifted, Loss Prevention will announce that occupants may return to their normal activities. Avoid flood waters. Standing waters can hide many dangers like toxins, chemicals, and wildlife. Do not enter flooded areas until local officials have given the “all clear.” Road closures are put in place for your safety. Please pay attention to them.
Suspected Active Shooter
- Evacuation—Get out of the building or area even if others won’t follow. Help others escape, if possible. Take an evacuation path away from the suspect. Warn others as you escape. Do not attempt to move wounded people. Do not rush toward officers, keep your hands visible at all times, and follow all of their commands. Update police with the suspect’s description and location.
- Lockdown—Do not leave your current location if you feel the suspect will see or find you. If you can, gather those around you and go to the nearest room with a locking door. Once inside, lock the door and barricade it with heavy objects. Try to prevent being seen. Turn off lights and close drapes or blinds. Sit or lie on the floor next to the wall with the door and be as quiet as possible. Silence your cell phone. Do not answer or open the door for anyone. If you are found and unable to get away, throw objects, yell, and continue to defend yourself.
Suspicious Items
Do not touch any suspicious-seeming items. Immediately report the item by calling Loss Prevention from any house phone by dialing 36, extension 5090, or direct dial (504) 592-5604.
Resources
Captions/Translations
There are many resources available for using captions and translations in your presentations.
- Microsoft Office:
- Step-by-step instructions and best practice for making your PowerPoint presentations accessible. [Link to instructions]
- PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 can transcribe your words as you present and display them on-screen as captions in the same language you are speaking, or as subtitles translated to another language. [Link to instructions]
- Google Slides:
- Apple Keynote:
- Create accessible documents, spreadsheets, or presentations with Pages, Numbers, or Keynote. [Link to instructions]
Accessibility/Mobility
General resources across the U.S. are available below. Additional local resources will be made available before each event.
Accessible Public Transportation
At many locations, ground transportation companies are able to pick up passengers with mobility aids curbside at the airport. This section will be updated with location-specific information.
Scooter and Wheelchair Rental
Not Seeing What You Need?
If you require an accommodation that is not listed above, please contact us at convention@abainternational.org. We will make every effort to accommodate all requests within the logistical limits of our venues.