Accessibility FAQs
Creating a space where everyone can participate fully is critical to the League. We work to build accessibility into the event from the start, including only using wheelchair accessible spaces, providing assistive listening, sharing accessible electronic materials, and providing a quiet space, among other features and services. This page describes some of the accessibility features of the League of American Orchestras 81st 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.
We also ask participants to let us know what they need to participate fully when registering and follow up individually to ensure needs will be met. Our team will make every effort to accommodate all requests, but encourage participants to register and make requests by April 16, 2026.
Table of Contents
Q2: Will sign language interpretation or captioning be available?
Q3: What are the taxi and public transportation options for getting to the Conference venue?
Q4: Whom can I ask about accessibility in the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront?
Q6: Will Conference be accessible by wheelchair or power scooter?
Q10: Will audience members asking questions and speakers be using a microphone?
Q14: Will there be loud music, strobe lighting, spotlights, or other strong sensory experiences?
Q16: What if I have a medical emergency or health problem during Conference?
Q17: I am a nursing mother. Will there be a space for lactation?
Q1: How do I communicate accessibility needs to League of American Orchestras 81st National Conference organizers?
A: The accessibility services contact for the League of American Orchestras 81st 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 April 16, 2026 (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: Baltimore welcomes Uber and Lyft. You can hail a ride with your smartphone app and meet your driver outside of Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) or outside of Baltimore Penn Station. Designated pick up areas for these rides are indicated by curbside signs, and are located in the middle traffic lane on the ground level outside of the terminal.
One-way trips to/from BWI can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes depending on traffic or from Penn Station can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 25 minutes depending on traffic. Please allow for enough transport time.
Q4: Whom can I ask about accessibility in the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront?
A: More information about accessibility at Baltimore Marriott Waterfront 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 +1 410-385-3000.
The Baltimore Marriott Waterfront offers accessibility amenities such as:
Accessible Hotel Features
Property has elevators
Service Animals are welcome without a fee or documentation
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
On-Site Restaurants 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
Electronic Room Key
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 Deadbolts on Guest Room Doors
Lowered Electrical Outlets
Lowered Night Guards on Guest Room Doors
Lowered Viewports in Guest Room Doors
Mobility accessible rooms
Non-slip Grab Rails in the Bathroom
Roll-in Shower
Safety Chains and/or Latches on Guest Doors
TTY/TTD Compatible
Toilet Seat at Wheelchair Height - Toilet for Disabled
Transfer Showers in Guest Rooms
Viewports in Guest Room and Suites Doors
Q5: What is the space at Conference like?
A: For the overall layout of the venue, please refer to this map of the Conference space (scroll down to “Floor Plans”).
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.
Q6: 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 Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, please contact the Front Desk at 410-385-3000
All offsite venues have wheelchair accessibility and are fully ADA compliant.
Q7: What are the restroom facilities like?
A: Men's and women's restrooms are available on the Level 3 and Level 4. All-gender restrooms are located on Level 4. All restrooms are equipped with an ADA-accessible stall.
Q8: Can I bring my guide dog?
A: Yes. Guide dogs and other service animals are welcome at Conference. Service animals are permitted at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront.
Q9: 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 and The Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The League will provide round trip busing for both the Opening Session and the Baltimore Symphony concert and Tune-Up Party. 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.
Q10: Will audience members asking questions and speakers be using a microphone?
A: Microphones will be used for all speakers during general and open 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.
Q11: 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.
Q12: 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.
Q13: Will Conference be a smoke-free environment?
A: The entire Conference venue is a no-smoking area.
Smoking is permitted outside of the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, at least 30 feet from the entranceways. Smoking is prohibited in any room, patio or balcony. Smoking is allowed in designated outdoor areas.
Q14: 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) may 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.
Q15: 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 the hotel (location to be determined). 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 space is available from Monday, June 1, to Wednesday, June 3.
Q16: 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 Conference registration desk 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.
Q17: 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: Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park. Credit: Visit Baltimore.