Beyond the “Boxed In” Experience: Reflections on Accessibility at Healthier Together 2026
When I first registered for the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) 2026 Healthier Together Conference that I am currently attending, I felt that familiar mix of anticipation and apprehension. For Deaf and hard of hearing professionals like me, the conference experience is rarely defined solely by the agenda, but rather the logistical reality of access.
In the lead-up to the event, I was asked to submit a list of specific sessions for my interpreter requests. It’s a standard request, and a major fundamental flaw continues to misunderstand the purpose of a conference.
If I am forced to commit to a rigid itinerary weeks or months in advance, I lose the spontaneity that makes these gatherings transformative. What if I meet an incredible collaborator in the lobby and we decide to shift our focus? What if a panel I chose turns out to be less relevant than a breakout session I hadn’t considered?
Reframing the Experience
This challenge took me back to my time at the #AMPHL2026 conference, where I co-facilitated a panel with Dr. Christopher Moreland, alongside Dr. Shazia Siddiqi and Dr. Jessica Williams. We spent that session challenging the view of conferences as mere trips, reframing them instead as strategic projects where attendees define their own success.
During my social media takeover of the AMPHL’s page in which I highlighted this panel discussion, I wrote:
"Conferences can be burdensome for Deaf and hard of hearing professionals, especially when accessibility—such as interpreters and real-time captioning—is treated as an afterthought rather than a foundation. By providing practical tools for navigating these gaps... we aim to transform these often-exclusionary spaces into opportunities for the kind of genuine, manageable connection that fosters mentorship."
I didn't want to be "boxed in" at the AHA conference. I wanted the same professional autonomy as my hearing colleagues.
A Higher Baseline Standard of Access
Leading up to the conference highlighted a critical gap in how access services are coordinated—and why a new accessibility standard for collaboration is urgently needed.
Long story short: the agency coordinating interpreter services scheduled three interpreters for specific time blocks. However, two of them held only basic-level certifications. This raised immediate concerns—not just about certification but about relevant experience in healthcare and conference interpreting. This situation forced me to intervene, first by alerting AHA, who responded promptly, and then by engaging directly with the agency to explain why this approach was insufficient.
This scenario underscores a key point from last week’s blog post on minimum requirements: meeting baseline certifications is necessary but not sufficient. Exceptional access cannot be outsourced entirely to agencies that may prioritize cost over quality; it requires event organizers to understand the nuances of service excellence and move toward a new standard of shared accountability and transparency. By embedding professional agency and mastery into every step of the process, we shift accessibility from a rigid administrative hurdle to a foundational element that allows conference-goers to focus on what they are actually there to do—build networks and move the needle on their careers.
Progress Through Partnership
The reality is that this journey toward equity isn't always perfect, but progress is driven by a willingness to adapt. After presenting at one of AHA’s conferences two years ago, I met with leaders from the AHA and advised them that they should add captions to their programming. They took that feedback to heart and added captions to the plenary sessions this year.
However, the implementation required some real-time adjustments. On the first day, captions were offered on only one of the two major screens. After I shared feedback, they immediately added it to the second monitor to ensure better visibility. While captions were limited only to the plenary sessions—and the team shared they were unable to add them to breakout sessions this year due to technical limitations—they have already committed to addressing this for next year.
This shows true progress and a genuine willingness to adapt to feedback from participants. Thank you to the AHA for being a partner in this process and being open to feedback.
The Question Remains
While I am leaving Dallas feeling empowered and energized, I find myself grappling with a lingering, uncomfortable question: Will the next conference organizer be accommodating?
For too many disabled professionals, conferences continue to be spaces that stifle career growth through exclusionary logistics. My overarching experience thus far at Healthier Together 2026 has been a success, but it should not be the exception. Let’s move toward a new standard in the future where professional autonomy for attendees is built into the planning process from day one, not something that requires an arduous, post-registration negotiation.
I’m heading home with new connections and fresh insights, confident that when organizations prioritize flexibility over rigid policies, everyone benefits. At 2axend, we’re dedicated to helping teams build accessible, high-quality communication services through expert guidance, training, and support. If you’re ready to elevate access and inclusion in your organization or event, we’re here to help make that vision a reality.
