ASHA's Code of Conduct for Meetings

ASHA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all persons who participate in its meetings.

ASHA meetings allow for the collegial exchange of ideas and discussion of issues relevant to the professions and topics within ASHA's scope. Civil discourse that includes and acknowledges a broad range of opinions and experiences is vital.

All ASHA meetings are intended to be safe spaces. Participants are expected to:

• Be respectful
• Listen actively
• Be collaborative
• Uphold the privacy of participants
• Abide by all ASHA and event-specific policies and instructions
• Respect restrictions on photography, recording, and AI-enabled capture tools
• Handle disagreement constructively
• Act fairly, honestly, and in good faith with other participants
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations

Abiding by these guidelines helps ensure that all individuals have a positive experience. Participants are expected to comply promptly with reasonable directions from ASHA staff, meeting moderators, venue personnel, security personnel, and emergency responders regarding meeting operations, participant safety, and security, when deemed necessary.

Conduct that compromises the safety, security, well-being, or orderly operation of an ASHA meeting or meeting-related activity is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, bullying, discrimination, harassment, intimidation, disruptive behavior, retaliation against an individual for reporting a concern or participating in a review, encouraging or promoting prohibited conduct, and knowingly making a false report of misconduct.

ASHA's general Meeting Code of Conduct may be supplemented by specific rules or instructions issued for a particular event or venue. These supplemental rules are incorporated into this Code by reference. By registering for or attending an event, participants agree to check for and abide by any such guidelines made available via the event's official website, venue's website, registration portal, or onsite notices.

Participants who observe behavior that may violate this Code of Conduct or believe another participant may need assistance are encouraged to promptly notify a meeting organizer, moderator, or ASHA staff member so the situation can be addressed appropriately.

Reports of conduct inconsistent with this Code will be reviewed and addressed based on the circumstances. ASHA reserves the right to take appropriate action, when an individual's conduct is determined by ASHA to be inconsistent with this Code of Conduct or otherwise threatens the safety, security, well-being, or orderly operation of the meeting. Those appropriate actions could include:

• An oral or written warning
• Removal from a meeting, session, or event
• Revocation of meeting registration or credentials
• Prohibition from participating in future ASHA meetings or events
• Reporting the matter to the individual's employer, sponsoring organization, or law enforcement as appropriate.
• Other actions deemed appropriate by ASHA

This Code of Conduct applies to every individual attending, speaking at, or otherwise present during ASHA meetings and meeting-related events. This includes, but is not limited to, all participants, guests, staff, exhibitors, contractors, and members of the public on meeting premises, associated social functions, or using the virtual event platform.