ASA is committed to making the Annual Meeting accessible to all. ASA will make arrangements for sign-language interpreters, sighted guides, other communication tools, or transportation assistance (just to name a few services) for meeting registrants. Contact Meeting Services with your request via the dedicated Access for All email or by calling (202) 247-9848. Requests must be received by July 1, 2023. Attendees who do not make advance arrangements for services or equipment can inquire onsite at the registration counters. Every reasonable effort will be made to assist attendees onsite however, ASA may not be able to provide all services or equipment due to availability or the time required to obtain them.
ASA will offer the opportunity for remote presentation, with paid registration, for people who have a disability and people who have a medical condition for which a medical professional would advise against in-person attendance. ASA is optimistic that all remote presentation requests can be accommodated, but depending on demand and available Wi-Fi bandwidth, remote presenters should be aware that the Wi-Fi could potentially fail to support the presentation. Therefore, registrants are asked to only request remote presentation if truly necessary to increase the chances that sufficient bandwidth will be available to those who need it. A request for remote presentation must be made by August 3, 2023. To request remote presentation, email the dedicated Access for All email or call (202) 247-9848.
Program
The program is available via the online portal. Use your ASA account username and password to log in and select View Online Program. If you do not have one, you can create an ASA account to view the online program and register for the meeting. You can download a PDF version of the program which reflects content as of June 1, 2023. You can also request a large print Word version of the program from Access for All.
Accessible Philadelphia
Philadelphia proudly offers visitors the ability to explore the city with a sense of independence. With accessible hotels, historic sites, restaurants, museums and services available, travelers of all abilities can be confident that they have choices in the City of Brotherly Love. View the Accessible Philadelphia guide which include information on using SEPTA.
Getting to the Pennsylvania Convention Center
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is a large building with multiple entrances. The ASA meeting space is best accessed via the pedestrian bridge from the Marriott Philadelphia Downtown (3rd Level) or street level entrances at Arch Street and 12th Street. Accessible shuttle service will run between the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown and the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Please review the Convention Center and Marriott Map for an overview of the ASA meeting space.
Assistance in Philadelphia
If you require assistance with any meeting related issues (i.e. hotel, transportation, meeting space, etc.), email the dedicated Access for All email. The accessibility coordinator will record the concern and will be your advocate in working to resolve the issue as best we can. By informing us of any concerns that arise we can work toward making the ASA Annual Meeting more accessible.
Loaner Scooters
ASA will have loaner scooters available at the ASA badge pick up counters in the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Loaner scooters are available on a first come, first serve basis and must be returned at the end of each day.
Shuttle Service
Accessible shuttle service will serve the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown, Pennsylvania Convention Center, and the Marriott Philadelphia Downtown. The route, with stops at all three locations, will run continuously approximately every 30 minutes. Visit the Shuttle Service page for details.
Area of Rescue Assistance
An Area of Rescue Assistance will be established and clearly marked with signage on each floor of meeting space in both the Marriott Philadelphia Downtown and the Pennsylvania Convention Center. In the event of an evacuation during meeting hours, facility staff will check these areas for attendees who require assistance. Please review the Convention Center and Marriott Map for specific locations.
Session Captioning
All plenary sessions will be live captioned as well as streamed live.
Large Print Program
Copies of the meeting program in enlarged print are available upon request from the registration counter.
Accessible Presentation
Each presentation or session should be designed and conducted with the full participation of all in mind. ASA requests that all presenters review the Guidelines for Accessible Presentation and take the steps necessary to make all programming accessible to their respective audiences.
Fragrance-Free Environment
ASA requests that all participants refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, and other fragrances for the benefit of attendees with multiple chemical sensitivities.
All Gender Restrooms
ASA will designate all gender restroom facilities at the Marriott Philadelphia Downtown and the Pennsylvania Convention Center. These restroom facilities are available for use by all persons, regardless of their gender identity. The facilities will be marked with door signage. Please help make these facilities and the meeting an inclusive space for transgender and gender non-conforming attendees by respecting the right of everyone to use them. Locations of all gender restrooms are marked on the Convention Center and Marriott Map.
Quiet Room
Quiet rooms are designated for use by attendees requiring a respite from meeting activities. The quiet rooms are not available for conversations or meetings. The quiet rooms are located in Room 402, Level 4, in the Marriott Philadelphia Downtown and Room 306, 300 Level in the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Lactation Room
Rooms are designated for use by attendees requiring a private space for nursing needs. The rooms are not available for conversations or meetings. The lactation rooms are located in Room 401, Level 4, in the Marriott Philadelphia Downtown and Room 305, 300 Level in the Pennsylvania Convention Center. A Mamava pod is also available in the Pennsylvania Convention Center on the 200 Level near the ASA registration and badge pick up area.
Child Care Services
Child care services will be located in the Pennsylvania Convention Center, available for children 6 months – 13 years. Parents wishing to enroll their children in the child care program must preregister for the Annual Meeting, enroll their child(ren), and submit payment for the estimated services by July 14, 2023. Instructions, fees and hours are posted on the Child Care page.
Accessible Seating
Chairs will be removed from front row seating for mobility assistive devices. The rows next to the areas with removed chairs are reserved for anyone who needs to be closer to the front, whether for mobility, auditory, sight, sensory, or other needs. Attendees are welcome to move, sit, lay down, and stand as necessary during sessions. Please do what your body needs you to do to ensure you are able to meaningfully participate in the meeting.
Water Bottles
Please be sure to bring your own reusable bottles to use during the meeting to cut down on the use of single-use plastic bottles. There will be refilling stations at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Marriott Philadelphia Downtown.
Student Forum Travel Awards
Funds are available to defray the costs associated with attending the ASA Annual Meeting. Applicants must be students who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate sociology degree in an academic institution and are current student members of ASA. Learn more.
Annual Meeting Travel Fund Awards
The Annual Meeting Travel Fund (AMTF) is designed to help offset some of the costs associated with attending the Annual Meeting for sociologists who would otherwise find it difficult to attend, including those in contingent positions or who are working in under-resourced institutions, those who incur additional costs when traveling due to a disability, and international scholars who face prohibitive costs for attending the meeting. Learn more.
