I bet you NEVER have to consider ALL the following when preparing for a conference: ❓ Is there step-free access? ❓ Are there disabled parking bays? (And how many?) ❓ As historic houses often have narrow hallways and doors that don’t accommodate wheelchairs, what kind of building is it? ❓ How will the room be laid out so I can move easily in my wheelchair? ❓ Are the accessible toilets nearby? ❓ What kind of lifts are available? (Many small museums lifts require assistance to open the doors and use: not great for autonomy and independence for the user) ❓ Is there an accessible stage setup? (Small, behind-the-stage areas often aren’t designed to allow disabled access easily) ❓ If there are no automatic doors, is someone available to help me open them? ❓ Can anyone to help me grab food at lunch? (As I can’t move my wheelchair and hold my food) Well, I do have to think about all of that. And this isn’t even the full list! However, some places understand how difficult it can be for people with disabilities. When I was getting ready for my workshops at Royal Armouries Museum in June, they asked about dietary needs and how to support my accessibility needs. It was refreshing not to have all the legwork (pun intended) fall on me! For this event, I simply requested vegetarian options and a few of the above accessibility checks. And WOW their second response was even more incredible. Alison Needham and Mark Bennett, nailed it with a detailed response: ✅ Confirmed lifts and emergency proceedures. ✅ Shared that event host [Mark Bennett] will check lifts before 8:30am. ✅ We’ll reserve seating in the workshop and space tables for easy mobility. ✅ Opening doors and lunch assistance? No problem. ✅ Disabled bay parking’s booked and sorted too! 💜 What a legendary response! 💜 Talk about feeling included and valued. This kind of proactive support shows how to ace inclusion for guest speakers. Thank you Alison and Mark. Other organisations - please take note! 🗒️ Read more about how you can make your workshops and speaking events more accessible in my recent blog (link in comments), which also details Alison’s response in full. #ConferencePrep #Inclusion #AccessibilityMatters #GuestSpeakerTips
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One of the easiest (and most overlooked) ways to make events more accessible and inclusive is to share as much information as possible with attendees ahead of time. We see a lot of great conferences sharing things like the speaker list, schedule, and address for the venue, but they leave out information that could help make attendees feel less anxious about attending. In addition to program information, share: - A facility map with parking, bathrooms, food access, rest areas, and session locations - Details on the accessibility accommodations and how to request additional assistance - Event materials in an accessible format (for example, screen reader-accessible versions of presentations) And when it comes time for the event, having extra assistive devices, earplugs, and accessible materials like slides in accessible formats on hand is a big help. Thoughtful planning makes a huge difference. #Accessibility #A11y #DEI #Inclusivity
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Always learning and amplifying Disability Justice | Program Lead, Rainbow Registered (Atlantic Canada)
We need to start building cultures of access instead of always doing one-off accommodations. When we treat access as an individual random issue by “dealing” with accommodations as they come up, we fail to interrogate ableism that is baked into our society. As the brilliant late Stacey Milberne had said, “it lets society off the hook”. Start at the centre! Read Disability Justice authors who do so much amazing intersectional access work! What I’m reading: 1. https://lnkd.in/gNXhN7Dw 2. https://lnkd.in/g4VnMcz9
Places to Start
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Outreach Officer at Procurement Assistance Canada (PAC) with Public Services and Procurement Canada | Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada
Great share by Taylor R. Yeomans on the importance of #Accessibility being 1st when planning an #event to ensure all are #Welcome vs an #accommodation . Make it part of your planning strategy for your #events.
Always learning and amplifying Disability Justice | Program Lead, Rainbow Registered (Atlantic Canada)
This summer, through the many exciting events that happen throughout the city, one thing has stood out over and over again: the unfortunate lack of access information around events! When we don’t communicate accessibility information up-front or expect people to ask, we leave out so many valuable and wonderful people. It does not have to be a “disability” event to centre accessibility- we (disabled people) are everywhere! Here are some tips for communicating access information: Promotional material should have access information clearly stated. If there’s no wheelchair accessible bathroom, make sure you communicate that up front so disabled folks can plan accordingly. Don’t make the mistake of exclusively including a blank space on a form where people can add in any accommodations. This sends the message (and continues the unfortunate norm) that disabled folk’s accommodations are one-off “changes”, rather than something that is actively centred. While one-off accommodations can be so necessary, focusing our efforts on creating a culture and environment of accessibility benefits everyone. I’ll be sure to make a post elaborating on this someday soon. Start with access at the centre! This will communicate that you care about the attendance and comfort of disabled folks. When we plan our events for the Halifax Bisexual+ Network, we think about accessibility in the original brainstorming of locations. We think about sensory experiences (is it really loud?) and we think about physical experiences (are there washrooms nearby? is it near public transit? is there a ramp?) before confirming a place to hold an event. We build in things such as ensuring volunteers are around to facilitate the comfort of more shy & quiet participants, and we create things like “convo cards” to rest at tables to help folks with coming up with discussion ideas. If you hold events/trainings/workshops/spaces, what are some things you do to communicate accessibility?
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🌟 Embracing Inclusivity: Why Wheelchair Accessible Spaces Matter! 🙌💒 🛑 Imagine being forced to sit where it's been decided for you, simply because of mobility needs. It's a scenario that diminishes choice and disempowers individuals. ♿️💔 ✨ Providing wheelchair-accessible spaces isn't just about meeting a requirement; it's about recognizing the importance of autonomy. Having the option to choose where to sit in a place of worship is more than a convenience; it's a statement that says, "Your choices matter. Your voice matters." 🔄 By ensuring accessible spaces, we strive to create an environment where everyone can participate fully, making choices that empower and uplift. Let's continue the journey towards inclusivity, celebrating the strength that comes from diversity. 🌐🤝💙 #InclusiveChurch #EmpowerChoice #AccessibilityMatters
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A simple handy guide to making your event accessible.
From conferences and concerts to festivals and workshops, events serve as vital platforms for collaboration, learning, and community engagement. However, many events often overlook one crucial aspect: accessibility. Here are our tips for planning an event to ensure everyone feels welcome: https://ow.ly/GH4050RrurZ ID: 1. Two women in wheelchairs travel down a pathway together. Text: Six steps to create an inclusive and accessible event. 2. A person in a wheelchair using a concrete ramp. Text: 1. Consider accessible features for a broad range of needs. 3. A man in a wheelchair at an event. Text: 2. Register individual accessibility needs. 4. A woman in an office, holding a phone to her ear. Text: 3. Communicate accessibility information. 5. A woman sitting at a conference table. Text: 4. Provide accessibility training for staff. 6. Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program lanyards. Text: 5. Incorporate the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. 7. A man sits in front of a desktop computer typing. Text: 6. Provide feedback channels. 8. Robert and Steven chat with a woman at a Life Without Barriers stall. Text: What accessible features do you want to see at more events? Leave a comment below. #Accessibility #AccessibleEvents #Accommodations #Disability #DiversityAndInclusion #InclusiveEvents #AccessibilityAwareness #GlobalAccessibilityAwarenessDay Hidden Disabilities Sunflower 💜
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Always learning and amplifying Disability Justice | Program Lead, Rainbow Registered (Atlantic Canada)
I bought 2 tickets for an event this weekend and just found out that there will be nowhere to sit down! Although I eventually found the organizers email and they were happy to put seats in the venue for myself and my friend with limited mobility, it made me think about an important topic that could be helpful to folks on my feed: communicating access information up front! We could all do better at this, and I know I could too. It is something I specifically set out to get better at recently. Next time you're organizing an event, include up-front on the poster/image description/event page accessibility information that folks with various disabilities need to know. If there are aspects of the event or location that aren't perfectly accessible, it is far better to communicate that clearly so disabled folks can plan accordingly. A practical takeaway: On the description of an event I am hosting with the Halifax Bisexual+ Network, I included "Access info: This activity involves walking/otherwise travelling around the museum. Masks are highly encouraged and can be provided. This event will take place during low sensory hours. A gender neutral/family washroom will be available. Low cost to entry. See our website for more information." Note that the access information included isn't just about wheelchair access or just about sensory info (although those things are important) but it also includes things like masking information and financial obligation/assistance. There are a few really great local disabled business owners/organizers who are doing really interesting and useful things when it comes to communicating access and I hope to feature a few more on my LinkedIn posts in the coming weeks! Is there anyone/any group doing this really well that you could share? Feel free to comment below!
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From conferences and concerts to festivals and workshops, events serve as vital platforms for collaboration, learning, and community engagement. However, many events often overlook one crucial aspect: accessibility. Here are our tips for planning an event to ensure everyone feels welcome: https://ow.ly/GH4050RrurZ ID: 1. Two women in wheelchairs travel down a pathway together. Text: Six steps to create an inclusive and accessible event. 2. A person in a wheelchair using a concrete ramp. Text: 1. Consider accessible features for a broad range of needs. 3. A man in a wheelchair at an event. Text: 2. Register individual accessibility needs. 4. A woman in an office, holding a phone to her ear. Text: 3. Communicate accessibility information. 5. A woman sitting at a conference table. Text: 4. Provide accessibility training for staff. 6. Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program lanyards. Text: 5. Incorporate the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. 7. A man sits in front of a desktop computer typing. Text: 6. Provide feedback channels. 8. Robert and Steven chat with a woman at a Life Without Barriers stall. Text: What accessible features do you want to see at more events? Leave a comment below. #Accessibility #AccessibleEvents #Accommodations #Disability #DiversityAndInclusion #InclusiveEvents #AccessibilityAwareness #GlobalAccessibilityAwarenessDay Hidden Disabilities Sunflower 💜
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Wheelchair access is not just a matter of convenience; it is a fundamental aspect of inclusivity for disabled individuals. When venues provide proper wheelchair access, they empower those with mobility challenges to participate fully in everyday activities, such as dining out, attending events, or simply enjoying a day out in the community. This access is crucial for promoting independence, enhancing quality of life, and breaking down the barriers that often lead to social isolation. Inclusion is about more than just physical access. It signifies a commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can enjoy the same experiences and opportunities. When venues prioritize wheelchair accessibility, they communicate a message that all individuals are valued and welcome. This encourages a culture of acceptance and understanding, fostering environments where everyone can thrive. To help others identify accessible venues, we can leverage various tools and strategies. Online platforms can feature reviews or dedicated sections that spotlight accessibility features, helping disabled users know what to expect before arriving. Additionally, social media campaigns can showcase videos and images of accessible spaces, highlighting their features, such as ramps, wide doorways, and accessible restrooms. Hosting community events or awareness days can also promote accessible venues, allowing individuals to explore the facilities firsthand. Additionally, it can be beneficial for businesses to use universal symbols and signage that indicate accessibility features clearly. Transparency in how accessible a venue is can build trust and encourage more disabled individuals to venture out into their communities. By sharing our own experiences and supporting businesses that prioritize accessibility, we can create a positive ripple effect that encourages more venues to improve their access provisions. This collective effort can lead to a society where everyone, regardless of mobility challenges, is empowered to engage in every aspect of life. Let's work together to raise awareness and celebrate accessible spaces that truly welcome everyone! #axess #axessability #mobility #powerchair #wheelchair #disabled
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e-Curator | Social activist | Artist | Rock Queen
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