Code of Conduct

To help ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone at ICSLA, all conference participants (including attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and volunteers) are expected to uphold the following code of conduct at conference venues and conference-related social activities. (Of course, we think people should uphold this code outside conference activities too!)

To the extent possible, we ask participants to make communication accessible to all participants, and to refrain from using spoken language without interpretation or live captioning.

ICSLA is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical
appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, or religion (or lack thereof). We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form at any conference venue, including talks, workshops, receptions, and social media. Conference participants who engage in harassing behavior may be expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
• verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to hearing status, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, and/or nationality
• sexual images in public spaces
• deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
• harassing photography or recording
• sustained disruption of talks or other events
• inappropriate physical contact
• unwelcome sexual attention
• advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the ICSLA organizers may take any action they deem appropriate to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes
warning the offender, expelling them from the conference with no refund, and banning them from the conference in the future. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please report this as soon as possible, either personally or anonymously. You can make an anonymous report through our online form. Although we cannot follow up on
an anonymous report with you directly, we will fully investigate it and take whatever action is necessary to prevent a recurrence.
You can also speak directly with any member of the ICSLA organizing committee at the conference. These individuals will be wearing special name badges. When taking a personal report, we will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard (this may involve other event staff to ensure your report is managed properly). Once safe, we will ask you to tell us about what happened. This can be upsetting, but we will handle it as respectfully as possible, and you can
bring someone to support you. You will not be asked to confront anyone, and we will not tell anyone who you are.

Additionally, ICSLA staff will be happy to help conference participants contact venue management or local law enforcement, to provide escorts, or to otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. We value your
attendance, and wish everyone a stimulating and enjoyable conference.

The ICSLA Organizing Committee | icsla@bu.edu
Boston University Police Department | 617-353-2121
Boston University Sexual Assault Response Prevention Center | 617-353-7277
Boston Medical Center | 617-638-8000