Inclusion and Accessibility

"NASPA believes that equity, inclusion, and social justice require continual pursuits to ensure that members from all identities, backgrounds, abilities, and belief systems have access, voice, acknowledgement, and opportunities to participate at all levels within the Association and the profession."

This statement by the NASPA Board of Directors guides our practices of creating a conference experience that is inclusive, welcoming, accessible, and free from discrimination or harassment.

Accessibility and Accommodations

NASPA strives to foster accessible spaces during the 2024 NASPA Annual Conference. Our team can help identify if the current accessibility protocols will meaningfully support your access needs or if additional accommodations are necessary.

Here’s what’s already built as part of our conference planning process:

Auditory:

• Keynote and plenary sessions will have live captioning.
• Virtual sessions will be closed captioned using Zoom auto-captioning.
• NASPA contracts with a provider for ASL and CART services to ensure individual attendee accommodations are met during breakout sessions.
• Speakers will use microphones for all sessions.
• NASPA will work with individuals who request accommodations after selecting a service provider to identify their session selection.

Mobility:

• All meeting and event spaces are accessible to wheelchair and scooter users.
• Elevators are marked, and NASPA staff will be able to help you identify elevators to navigate to your next session or meeting.
• Our hotel team works with attendees who need hotel accommodations.

visual:

• The conference schedule and information are available with the My NASPA App, which is accessible on mobile devices and desktop/laptop computers. The app works with screen readers as well.
• A PDF of the program book will be available upon request.
• All visual information presented during the keynote and plenary sessions will be communicated verbally. We have asked presenters to make their presentations accessible by verbally indicating what is on their slides.
• If you are attending with a colleague who will be providing sighted assistance in navigating the conference spaces and would like to visit the space before the conference begins, please let us know.

Additional spaces:

• Attendees will have access to a nursing lounge/lactation room.
• There will be all-gender restrooms located throughout the event space.
• Prayer rooms will be available throughout the event.
• Shuttles to and from the conference hotels to the event space will be available throughout the day.

If at any point that you recognize a need to request accommodations for the Annual Conference, please follow the process described below to do so. Everyone interested in attending the 2024 NASPA Annual Conference is welcome to seek accommodations at any time in preparation for the conference. 

You are not required to disclose your disability (mobility, auditory, sight, sensory, etc.) or identity status (Disabled, Deaf, Autistic, Chronically Ill, Mentally Ill, etc.) but are welcome to do so if you believe this information will influence the later discussion surrounding your access needs and/or accommodation requests.

Ready to make your accommodations request? 

Option 1: Complete your Annual Conference registration

• In the “Access Accommodations” section of the registration process, please indicate what type of accommodation NASPA can provide at the event: auditory, mobility, or visual.
  • Additional notes can be added in this section to provide individual clarification on the accommodation.

Option 2: Submit your accommodation request through the NASPA Accommodation Form 

• The form is available at all times and can be submitted after registration if accommodations and access needs were not necessary during the initial registration process.
  • Accommodation requests can be made at any time. However, certain accommodations will need advance notice to secure services. 

A NASPA Accessibility Contact will follow up with you, whether you requested accommodations via the conference registration form, the NASPA Accommodation Form, or via email. In this follow-up, the contact will confirm your needs and identify the best plan moving forward to provide your accommodations.

Some accommodations may require that NASPA requests your desired schedule at the Annual Conference to provide the appropriate accommodations in individual sessions. Changes to your schedule onsite are accommodated as resources permit but cannot be guaranteed.

Note: While requests are welcome at any time, please also recognize that requests will most effectively be supported if they are submitted as soon as possible, and where possible, before February 9, 2024.

Thank you to the American Anthropological Association (AAA) for being leaders in event accessibility accommodations. NASPA borrowed from their website as a guide for our accommodations planning process.

Supporting a Safe and Respectful Environment

NASPA is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment and strives to address the interests of its members and the student affairs profession on issues related to social justice, equity, and inclusion. We seek to foster a positive environment built upon a foundation of trust, respect, open communications, and ethical behavior.

NASPA's Non-Discrimination Statement

NASPA does not discriminate on the basis of race; color;, national origin; religion; sex; age; gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; veteran status; disability; marital status; personal appearance; family responsibilities; genetic information; educational status; political affiliation; place of residence or business; source of income; caste; matriculation; credit information; status as a survivor or family member of a survivor of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking; reproductive health decision making; or any other basis protected by law in any of its policies, programs, publications, and services. NASPA prohibits discrimination and harassment at any time, including during its events or within publications and online learning communities.  

Conduct Policy

NASPA participants are expected to conduct themselves in all NASPA capacities, events, and settings with:

• Consideration and respect in their speech and actions and in their personal, professional and business conduct toward participants, NASPA and venue employees, exhibitors, and sponsors;
• Honesty in their professional relationships, including refraining from taking credit for the work of others without specific acknowledgement and authorization;
• Courtesy and respect for individuals’ personal boundaries; and
• Behavior that is free from:
  • Demeaning, discriminatory, insulting, or harassing language or actions, or language and actions that enforce dominance, in person or online;
  • Harassment of any kind, including but not limited to unwelcome sexual advances, sexual imagery and language, requests for sexual favors, deliberate intimidation, stalking, and other verbal or physical harassment;
  • Content recording without the permission of the participants; and
  • Sustained disruption of sessions or events.

If you experience or witness discrimination or harassment at a NASPA program/event or occurring while you or others have acted in a NASPA-related capacity, we encourage you to report the incident to a member of the NASPA staff. Reports can be made online, through the event mobile app or a form available at the registration desk for in-person events (if applicable), or by email to Monica Nixon, Vice President for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at [email protected]. You can report anonymously or share your name and contact information for follow-up by NASPA staff. 

NASPA COVID Addendum to Code of Conduct

Approved by the NASPA Board of Directors - October 2021

In addition to the Association’s established Code of Conduct, NASPA requires all participants to adhere to this addendum to the code of conduct at in-person events hosted by the Association during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.

Before Leaving Home

• Follow relevant guidance provided by the WHO, CDC, and/or your local health authority regarding exposure, testing, and quarantine related to COVID-19.
• Adhere to government-issued travel restrictions and guidance issued by the WHO, CDC, and/or the local health authority in the regions you will be traveling to and from.
• Stay home if you feel unwell. 
• Stay home if you are knowingly exposed to COVID-19, develop symptoms of COVID-19, or test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days prior to the event. 

Onsite During the Event

• Follow guidance from the local health authority for everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of viruses including:
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Throw unused tissues in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wear a properly fitting, CDC-recommended face mask during NASPA events. Face masks will cover from the bridge of your nose to past your chin. 
• Adhere to physical distance protocols put in place by the Association, the venue or local health authorities.
• If, at any time, during the conference you feel unwell, learn that you have been exposed to COVID-19 at or less than 14 days prior to the event, develop symptoms of COVID-19, or test positive for COVID-19, do not attend the meeting. Please remain in your hotel room, or at home, and seek medical care.

Adherence to onsite guidelines in place at the time of event is required. Anyone not adhering to the guidelines will be asked to leave or be removed from the event premises and will be required to surrender their event badge. 

After the Event

Based on current contact tracing advice, if you learn that you have been exposed to COVID-19 at the event, were exposed less than 14 days prior to the event, or develop symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19 up to 14 days after returning home, please contact the Association at [email protected]. 

Building Community During Your Conference Experience

NASPA has many Knowledge Communities (KCs), which are member-driven networks that empower you to explore key topics, professional functions, and personal identities alongside other student affairs educators.  You can learn more about the Knowledge Communities here. Many of the sessions during the conference will be sponsored by specific Knowledge Communities, and many KCs will also host receptions and open business meetings that you can attend to learn more and get involved.