Accessibility FAQs

The League of American Orchestras is committed to providing an inclusive environment. This page describes some of the accessibility features of the League of American Orchestras 79th National Conference, to help you make an informed decision about whether the conference will be accessible to you. Please contact us at member@americanorchestras.org if your question is not answered here, or if the Conference arrangements as described are not enough to allow you to attend. We will work with you to the best of our ability to accommodate any requests for special assistance.

Table of Contents

Q1: How do I communicate accessibility needs to League of American Orchestras 79th National Conference organizers?

A: The accessibility services contact for the League of American Orchestras 79th National Conference is our Member Services team, whose goal is to ensure Conference is accessible to everyone. When you register for Conference, there will be a registration question labeled "Do you have a disability or special need which requires additional support?" In your response, please indicate any accessibility needs such as wheelchair access, sign language interpretation, or a guide. The Member Services team will follow up with you to clarify your needs. You can contact them directly at any time by emailing member@americanorchestras.org or calling 646 822 4010.

If there is specific accessibility information you would like to see here, or if you wish to discuss any Conference accessibility requirements, please contact our Member Services team by email at member@americanorchestras.org and someone will respond to you shortly.

Q2: Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?

A: Sign language interpretation and/or captioning can be made available if requested by any attendee during the early registration period. Please make your request as early as possible. Our Member Services team will follow up with you to discuss your needs in more detail. After May 2, 2024 (the deadline for early registration), a best effort will be made to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee accommodation will be available.

Q3: What are the taxi and public transportation options for getting to the conference venue?

A: Ride Share: Houston welcomes Uber and Lyft. You can hail a ride with your smartphone app and meet your driver outside Baggage Claim 4 at the Commercial Arrivals Curb of George Bush International Airport ()IAH)nInternational Airport.

One-way trips to/from IAH can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Please allow for enough transport time.

Public Transportation: IAH to downtown Houston: METRO Bus 102 serves the airport and surrounding vicinity with multiple stops and continues to the METRO station downtown. The fare is $1.25 (cash only; the driver does not make change). Transit time to downtown runs 50 to 90 minutes. Riders may stow luggage in the baggage compartment accessed from the outside of the bus (drivers do not assist with luggage). Pick up and drop off is at the METRO Bus Stop on Baggage Claim Level, south side of Terminal C.

George Bush International Airport is pleased to provide a comprehensive list of approved limousine, taxi, shuttle, and charter bus services to help deliver you to and from our door.

Q4: Whom can I ask about accessibility in the Marriott Marquis Houston?

A: More information about accessibility at Marriott Marquis Houston is available on their website.

For more information about the physical features of the Marriott’s accessible rooms, common areas or special services relating to a specific disability please call +1 713-654-1777.

The Marriott Marquis Houston offers accessibility amenities such as:

Accessible Hotel Features

Property has elevators
Service Animals are Welcome
Valet parking for vehicles outfitted for drivers in wheelchairs

Accessible Areas with Accessible Routes from Public Entrance

Entrance to On-Site Business Center is Accessible
Entrance to On-Site Fitness Center is Accessible
Main Entrance is Accessible
Meeting Spaces are Accessible
Room and Suites Access through the Interior Corridor

Guest Room Accessibility

Accessible Vanities
Adjustable Height Hand-Held Shower Wand
Alarm Clock Telephone Ringers
Bathtub Grab Rails
Bathtub Seat
Closed Caption TV
Deadbolts on Guest Room and Suites Doors
Flashing Door Knockers
Guest Room and Suites Doors Self-Closing
Guests in mobility-accessible rooms may inquire about lowering the bed height
Hearing Accessible Rooms and/or Kits
Lever Handles on Guest Room Doors
Lowered Electrical Outlets
Mobility accessible rooms
Non-slip Grab Rails in the Bathroom
Roll-in Shower
TTY/TTD Compatible
Toilet Seat at Wheelchair Height - Toilet for Disabled
Viewports in Guest Room and Suites Doors

Q5: Can a volunteer assist me during Conference?

A: We are currently unable to provide volunteers to assist attendees with disabilities. If you will need volunteer assistance at Conference, please contact us before registering.

Attendees who require personal care assistance should bring their own assistant. Personal care assistants do not need to pay to register for Conference. If you would like to register a personal care assistant, please contact our Member Services team at member@americanorchestras.org.

Q6: What is the space at Conference like?

A: For the overall layout of the venue, please refer to this map of the Conference space.

Conference is spread across two floors at the Marriott Marquis Houston. All meeting rooms are located either on Level 3 or Level 4. The Exhibit Hall/Registration Area will be located on Level 4 of the hotel. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located on this level as well as on the lobby level of the hotel. All meeting room floors are connected by wheelchair accessible elevators.

We are still working on an evacuation plan for attendees with mobility limitations. Should you require assistance in the event of an emergency, please contact our Member Services team at member@americanorchestras.org ahead of Conference.

Q7: Will Conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?

A: Yes, Conference will be accessible to wheelchair users. The hotel has a level entrance with automatic doors. The reception desk has a lowered section for wheelchair users, and the route to the elevators is level. The elevators lead to the guest and meeting rooms. Wheelchair-accessible guest rooms are available, each with a walk-in/roll-in shower and grab rails. The meeting rooms will have wheelchair spaces by the side aisle.

Presenters: We do not at this time have a ramp to the stage. If you are a presenter who uses a wheelchair or needs additional assistance in climbing stairs, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements.

For more information about wheelchair accessibility at the Marriott Marquis Houston, please contact the Front Desk at 713-654-1777.

All offsite venues have wheelchair accessibility and are fully ADA compliant.

Q8: What are the restroom facilities like?

A: Men's and women's restrooms are available on the Lobby Level, Level 3, and Level 4. All-gender restrooms are located at the top of the escalators on Level 3. All restrooms are equipped with an ADA-accessible stall.

Q9: Can I bring my guide dog?

A: Yes! Guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at Conference. Service animals are permitted in the Marriott Marquis Houston. More information to come.

Q10: Can I attend Conference by robot?

A: We are sorry, but the League of American Orchestras 79th National Conference will not be able to accommodate remote attendance by robot.

Q11: How much walking or standing will be needed?

A: Conference will require a significant amount of walking, as sessions are spread throughout the Conference hotel, the Kinder High School for the Performing Arts, and Jones Hall. The League will provide round trip busing from the Mariott Marquis Houston to the Opening Session on Thursday afternoon and to the Houston Symphony Concert and Tune Up Party on Friday evening. At all other times, attendees will be responsible for their transportation needs. Should you require assistance in navigating between venues, please contact our Member Services team at member@americanorchestras.org.

Q12: Will audience members asking questions and speakers be using a microphone?

A: Microphones will be used for all speakers during electives and general sessions. Attendees with questions will be requested to use a microphone so that their question is more easily heard.

For constituency meetings, microphone availability will depend on the size of the gathering and the layout of the room. Most constituency meetings will not use microphones.

Q13: What food service will be provided?

A: We will provide a variety of food and beverage services throughout Conference, including a Conference Luncheon (included in your registration fee), several networking breaks, and receptions. Dishes will be labeled whenever possible. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate these clearly on your registration form.

Q14: Can Conference accommodate special dietary needs?

A: Yes. Attendees who indicate special dietary requirements on their registration form will be provided with special meals when Conference catering does not accommodate them. If you have a severe allergy, please indicate this on your registration form.

Q15: Will Conference be a smoke-free environment?

A: The entire Conference venue is a no-smoking area.

Smoking is permitted outside of the Marriott Marquis Houston, at least 30 feet from the entranceways.

Q16: Will there be loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, or other strong sensory experiences?

A: We are still gathering information on all sensory aspects of Conference, but yes, please anticipate that some events (such as concerts and performances within sessions) will include strong sensory experiences. Participants will be requested not to use flash photography whenever possible or to wear strong scents. Please indicate on your registration form if there are specific items you would like to know about in advance.

Q17: Will there be a designated quiet space at Conference?

A: While Conferences are energizing, reflective, and engaging events, we know that they can also be overwhelming, so we're providing all attendees with a Quiet Room in Tanglewood on Level 3. Please feel free to utilize this room to remove yourself from the hustle and bustle of Conference when necessary. Talking, taking phone calls, or other activities that could cause disturbance are not allowed in the Quiet Room. This “no-frills” space is available from Thursday, June 6, to Friday, June 8.

Q18: What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during Conference?

A: In case of a medical emergency, call 911 for an ambulance. We are still checking on the distance to the nearest hospital. If you require non-urgent medical care, please contact Member Services at the registration desk on Level 4 or the front desk of the hotel. They will provide you with information about local doctors, specialists, chiropractors, etc. For non-resident attendees, buying travel insurance that covers medical expenses is strongly recommended as fees for emergency treatment can be very high.

Q19: I am a nursing mother. Will there be a space for lactation?

A: A lactation space will be available upon request. Please contact Member Services at member@americanorchestras.org for further information.

Banner: Memorial Park Land Bridge. Credit: Houston First Corporation (Lance Childers).