Accessibility

To request audio accessibility services or equipment for the Annual Meeting (e.g., CART, translation, sign language interpretation, assistive listening, etc.), please contact meeting@apsanet.org as soon as possible to arrange support. Advance notice is required.

If necessary, attendees can connect assistive listening devices to the MCCA sound system within the Hynes Convention Center.

For attendees with low or no vision, APSA offers complimentary registration for personal aides or escorts and can assist with arranging onsite support if needed. A limited number of magnifying sheets will also be available upon request at the APSA Registration Desk.

Amtrak accommodates most standard-sized mobility devices currently in use. Travelers can review guidelines for manual and powered mobility devices, as well as boarding and detraining procedures, here.

Travelers often need to reserve accessible seating or space in advance. Reservations can be made online or through the Amtrak mobile app. More about reserving accessible space ››

Most Amtrak stations in major cities offer accessible features for passengers with disabilities. Station-specific accessibility information is available here.

Within a three-block walk of the Hynes Convention Center, there are numerous parking garages totaling over 4,400 spaces. There is limited meter parking available around the Hynes and adjacent streets. More information on nearby parking can be found on our Transportation page. For additional accessibility details, please reach out to the parking facilities directly.

The City of Boston also provides a map of public On-Street Accessible Parking (OSAP) spaces in Boston’s major commercial areas and main streets.

Hynes Convention Center
Guide dogs and service animals are welcome in all APSA meeting spaces and are not subject to the Hynes Convention Center’s general restrictions. Other animals or pets are not permitted inside the Convention Center.

For reference, service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. You can read the full legal definition of service animals as relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) here.

Boston Logan International Airport
Boston Logan International Airport permits service animals throughout all terminals. Animal relief areas are available post-security in each terminal, as well as on the arrivals-level curb outside every terminal. Specific locations can be found using the airport’s interactive map.

Amtrak
Amtrak allows service animals in all passenger areas. Learn more about traveling on Amtrak with a service animal here ››

APSA is working with all venues to ensure accessible seating is available in all meeting spaces. Chairs in the front row of each room will be removed to accommodate mobility devices. The rest of the front row will be reserved as priority seating for attendees who need closer seating or extra space for their service animals.

Accessible guest rooms are available at all meeting hotels and can be requested when booking through the APSA hotel block.

2026 APSA housing information and booking link coming soon!

All food served at the Hynes and APSA HQ hotels will be labeled with ingredients to help attendees avoid allergens. Outside food is not permitted in any APSA meeting spaces.

Fragrance-Free Meeting Spaces
To help create a more comfortable environment for all attendees, please refrain from wearing scented products such as perfume or cologne in meeting spaces.

Hynes Convention Center
The Hynes Convention Center is dedicated to cultivating a comfortable, inclusive environment for those with autism, sensory processing disorders, or other disabilities. In 2023, in partnership with Sensory City, the Hynes became one of the first convention facilities in the Northeast to be certified as a “Sensory Friendly Establishment.”

Aside from a comprehensive staff training program, the convention center has other Sensory City resources available upon request, such as sensory kits and communication booklets.

Designated Areas of Rescue Assistance will be available for individuals who may need help evacuating. If evacuation is not safe or possible, Hynes or APSA staff may direct individuals to an Area of Refuge, a designated space intended to shelter occupants during emergencies such as fire or other hazards.

The MCCA maintains strong working relationships with city, state, and federal authorities, as well as local police, fire, and EMS teams, ensuring fast and appropriate responses to any incidents at the Hynes Convention Center. In the event of a major emergency, the 24/7 Command Center communicates directly with the Boston Police Department, the Boston Fire Department, the Boston Emergency Medical Service, and the Massachusetts State Police, who can dispatch the appropriate assistance.

The black house phones located in each meeting room and public space can be used to report an emergency by dialing extension 2111 at the Hynes.

If evacuation is not safe or possible, venue staff may direct individuals to an Area of Refuge, a designated space intended to shelter occupants during emergencies such as fire or other hazards.

• Consider bringing a few printed copies of your presentation or a transcript for attendees who may require them. 
• Use large (24-point or larger), sans-serif fonts such as Arial, Verdana, or Helvetica. 
• Choose high-contrast, easy-to-read color schemes for your slides. 
• Enable captions on all videos used in your presentation. 
• Include alt-text for all images. 
• Verbally describe your slides, images, charts, and any other on-screen content. 
• Use PowerPoint’s built-in Accessibility Checker to review your slides ahead of time. 
• Avoid using hand gestures or vague terms like “this,” “that,” or “these” without clarification. 
• Speak clearly, audibly, and at a moderate pace. 
• Keep your hands away from your mouth to assist those who speech read. 
• Ensure only one person speaks at a time. 
• Do not walk in front of interpreters while they are signing. 
• When addressing someone using an interpreter, speak directly to the person, not the interpreter.

To help create a welcoming environment, complimentary pronoun pins are available at the Registration Desk for anyone who would like one.

All Annual Meeting venues will have gender-neutral restrooms available. These restrooms are open to all attendees. Locations coming soon!

APSA will provide Quiet Rooms throughout the venues for attendees who need a break from the noise and activity of the meeting. Locations coming soon!

The Hynes Convention Center offers XL-sized Mamava Pods throughout the venue. These free-standing, private lactation suites are designed specifically for breastfeeding and pumping and are available at no cost. As the pods are purpose-built for lactation only, they do not include changing stations. The interiors are constructed from non-porous, food-grade materials for easy cleaning.

Each Mamava Pod includes:

• Two benches, a table, mirror, coat hook, and occupancy-activated lighting
• Ceiling vents and exhaust fans
• Dual hospital-grade electrical outlets and a USB port
• Adjustable lighting and airflow, controlled via the Mamava mobile app
• A deadbolt lock for privacy during use

Mamava Pods are equipped with SmartLock Bluetooth technology that connects to the Mamava Mobile App, allowing users to locate, reserve, and unlock the pods from their smartphones. All Mamava Pods at the Hynes are ADA compliant and feature a 60-inch turnaround radius and dual grab bars.

The Hynes has a changing station in every family restroom conveniently located adjacent to the regular restrooms on every level. There are no changing stations inside of the venue’s Mamava Pods (see Nursing Rooms above).

The APSA RESPECT Campaign promotes “professional respect” among all participants and attendees during the Annual Meeting. RESPECT stands for Respectful, Equitable, Safe, Professional, and Ethical Conduct Towards All.

The APSA Ombuds will be available during at the 2026 APSA Annual Meeting to speak privately with any attendee about a range of concerns such as harassment, possible violations of the APSA anti-harassment policy, and more. The Ombuds also offer consultation to individuals, committees, organized sections, or caucuses navigating challenges or seeking guidance.

Email: apsaombuds@gmail.com