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Event Planning for Accessibility: Tips and Best Practices

  • 1.  Event Planning for Accessibility: Tips and Best Practices

    Posted 09-20-2023 09:35
    Edited by Megha Jetley 09-20-2023 09:36

    Hi all, let's begin our next edition of the Tip of the Week discussion!  Accessibility and inclusion have always been important, but with rising numbers of people living with a disability, it's now, more than ever, a fundamental part of your event planning. 
    Whether staging a small meeting or a large conference, carefully considering accessibility will ensure all your attendees have a positive and inclusive event experience.  

    5 Steps to Planning Accessible Events 

    1. Registration  

     Make sure your event registration page asks the right questions and includes checkboxes.  

    These could include questions such as: 

    • Do you require captions?
    • Do you require a sign language interpreter?
    • Will you be accompanied by a service animal or Personal Care Assistant (PCA)?
    • Do you need wheelchair access? 
    2. Onsite Experience 

     To improve the onsite experience, put yourself in the shoes of a person with disabilities (PWD) and consider their entire attendee journey.   

    •  Wheelchair accessibility
    • Service animals
    • Wellness spaces
    • Stage sets and lighting
    3. Virtual and Hybrid Events  

     Making your events accessible also extends to virtual and hybrid formats. Here are some tips: 

    • Since not everyone attending virtually can see or interpret the presentation slides, ask presenters to explain visual content.
    • If you can offer a sign language interpreter, make sure they're always on screen and appropriate size to be legible. 
     
    4. Communication and Information Accessibility  

     Including accessibility information in the design of your pre-event communications is critical. 

    For instance, add a simple line at the base of posters or flyers written in black text on a light background that reads, 'Our theatre is wheelchair accessible' or 'A sign language interpreter will be available.' 

     
    5. Staff Training and Awareness  

    Create a culture of inclusion by ensuring that everyone involved in the planning and execution of your event is given training. 
    Accessibility in event planning is a must. With over a billion people, or 16% of the world's population, experiencing some form of disability, making your events more accessible and inclusive is a moral and legal obligation. 

    Questions for you: 

    • Have you ever worked with attendees who have specific accessibility needs? If yes, how did you ensure they were accommodated?
    • How do you see the future of event planning evolving to better accommodate people with disabilities? 

    Your opinions really help other community peers stay in the know. So, feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below!  #CventTip


    #ManagingOn-site
    #ManagingVirtualEvents


    #ManagingOn-site
    #ManagingVirtualEvents

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    Megha Jetley
    Manager
    Cvent Marketing Department
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  • 2.  RE: Event Planning for Accessibility: Tips and Best Practices

    Posted 09-22-2023 11:54
    • Have you ever worked with attendees who have specific accessibility needs? If yes, how did you ensure they were accommodated? Yes - it was not disclosed prior to his arrival.  He was a wheelchair user, so I made sure he had clear path to a table for his sessions, removed a chair at his meal tables when I knew where he preferred to sit, and made sure to point out elevators and access points.  Fortunately, we always use cocktail tables with high boys to allow access to tables for wheelchair users.
    • How do you see the future of event planning evolving to better accommodate people with disabilities?  I think people will begin recognizing the needs in advance and making events more inclusive.  I think we've gotten better at notifying people about lasers and flashes in presentations, closed captioning and/or ASL, and having a mixture of tables/chairs, but we still have a ways to go especially with people who are sensitive to noise and crowds.  Fortunately, I think more people are openly discussing their needs on social media and it's putting more in other people's minds and opening up the conversation.


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    Julie-Michelle Davis, CMP
    Meetings Manager
    Amex GBT - USA
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  • 3.  RE: Event Planning for Accessibility: Tips and Best Practices

    Posted 09-22-2023 12:12
    • Have you ever worked with attendees who have specific accessibility needs? If yes, how did you ensure they were accommodated?
      Yes. Provided technology/devices to assist and make sure all staff was informed where the conference would need to be adjusted for them. 
    • How do you see the future of event planning evolving to better accommodate people with disabilities? 
      I see closed captioning coming into play asap as well as other technological aids when possible. 


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    Chris Townley
    Marketing and Communications Associate
    National Council Of State Housing AgenciesUnited States
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  • 4.  RE: Event Planning for Accessibility: Tips and Best Practices

    Posted 09-22-2023 13:19
    • Have you ever worked with attendees who have specific accessibility needs? If yes, how did you ensure they were accommodated?
      Absolutely. We always work with our hotel, off site venues, and transportation companies to ensure everyone has a comfortable experience.
    • How do you see the future of event planning evolving to better accommodate people with disabilities?
      I think proper accommodations are becoming the forefront of planning and think venues and vendors will continue to offer options to accommodate a variety of needs with ease.



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    Kayla Sisco
    Program Manager
    Meetings & Incentives Worldwide, Inc.United States
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  • 5.  RE: Event Planning for Accessibility: Tips and Best Practices

    Posted 09-22-2023 15:04
    • Have you ever worked with attendees who have specific accessibility needs? If yes, how did you ensure they were accommodated?
      • That is not something my organization had dealt with or prioritized. I think it is an important aspect to event planning to be ready ahead of time instead of just when people request it.
    • How do you see the future of event planning evolving to better accommodate people with disabilities? 
      • I think the rise in hybrid and virtual events helps connect people who are not able to travel to these event, but we shouldn't stop there. I think every event planner should stay on top of innovations in accommodating everyone. If it's not already, that should be a part of the CMP certification. The easier set organization can start with is adding closed captioning to events


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    Laura Apel
    Events Manager
    CDLLifeUnited States
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  • 6.  RE: Event Planning for Accessibility: Tips and Best Practices

    Posted 09-24-2023 16:45
    • Have you ever worked with attendees who have specific accessibility needs? If yes, how did you ensure they were accommodated?
      Yes. specific questions to clarify how we can accommodate. 
    • How do you see the future of event planning evolving to better accommodate people with disabilities? 
      Closed captioning, interpreters for sign and other languages. 


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    Mary Ann Hall
    Event Specialist
    Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago(CRSO Department)
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  • 7.  RE: Event Planning for Accessibility: Tips and Best Practices

    Posted 09-25-2023 07:55

    Questions for you: 

    • Have you ever worked with attendees who have specific accessibility needs? If yes, how did you ensure they were accommodated? Yes. I have had many event attendees with physical or auditory needs. I ensure all spaces we use are accessible for wheelchair users and have worked with both live captioning and ASL interpreters at events. I have adjusted tours to accommodate for those who are not able to walk long distances, providing seating along the way and hosting a portion of the remarks in a theatre with a video tour presentation. I have also made repeated use of spaces that are user friendly to limit movement of guests between areas and to ensure their comfort in a space that is known and easily accessible.
    • How do you see the future of event planning evolving to better accommodate people with disabilities? We have so many opportunities now to more easily provide access using technology. Captioning live events, ensuring proper spacing of tables/chairs using online seating/spatial diagramming, online engagement opportunities for those unable to travel, registration forms standardizing questions to understand needs in advance of events and ensure accommodation. These will become standardized at events.


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    Cate Liverman
    Director-Constituent Relations
    UVA Medical Alumni Association and Medical School FoundationUnited States
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  • 8.  RE: Event Planning for Accessibility: Tips and Best Practices

    Posted 09-25-2023 12:25
    • Have you ever worked with attendees who have specific accessibility needs? If yes, how did you ensure they were accommodated?

    We frequently have attendees with wheelchairs and walkers, and those who need translation.  We always have accessible seating areas, and we provide live translators with translation headsets for the attendees who need them. For Q&A, we give twice as much time for speakers who need translation, and have the translator accompany them to the mic. At a different workplace I also had events where we needed an ASL interpreter on stage for attendees with hearing issues. We always have accomodations as one of the sections in our registration form, so we know in advance what is needed.

    • How do you see the future of event planning evolving to better accommodate people with disabilities? 

    I hope the expectations in this area continue to expand. No one should be booking an inaccessible venue in 2023, or fail to take into account physical limitations.



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    Elena PEREZ
    hybrid
    SEIU - UHWUnited States
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  • 9.  RE: Event Planning for Accessibility: Tips and Best Practices

    Posted 09-26-2023 14:45
    • Have you ever worked with attendees who have specific accessibility needs? If yes, how did you ensure they were accommodated? We haven't actually come across this year in our events.
    • How do you see the future of event planning evolving to better accommodate people with disabilities? Closed captioning and providing headsets for audience members if they can't hear well. Ensuring adequate spacing between tables to accommodate people coming and choosing accessible facilities


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    Rachel
    NJ
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  • 10.  RE: Event Planning for Accessibility: Tips and Best Practices

    Posted 09-27-2023 08:10
    • Have you ever worked with attendees who have specific accessibility needs? If yes, how did you ensure they were accommodated?
      • No
    • How do you see the future of event planning evolving to better accommodate people with disabilities? 
      • Continuing to be mindful of how to make events accessible to everyone


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    Lori Wildman
    Marketing Director
    lwildman@dmainc.com
    DuCharme, McMillen & Associates, Inc.United States
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  • 11.  RE: Event Planning for Accessibility: Tips and Best Practices

    Posted 10-02-2023 09:36
    • Have you ever worked with attendees who have specific accessibility needs? If yes, how did you ensure they were accommodated?  Yes of course, I used to work as a professional theatrical stage manager with performers and audience members who needed accommodations.  In the arts, we feel it's vital to be accessible to all.  One example for an event is we had a student who was graduating. The grads would walk the stage and then walk to the audience - there are steps.  We worked out a path for the student in a wheelchair so that she could still walk the stage and then had someone meet her on the side to take her down a path and save an ADA area for her.  When it was her time for the individual walk we went and pulled her a bit early to escort her around the back of the venue so she could walk. This is IMPORTANT - especially for a graduation. Every student deserves a moment to shine! 
    • How do you see the future of event planning evolving to better accommodate people with disabilities?   I think it's going to become more important to find ways to be accessible to all. I think we'll see more open captioning options, a virtual/hybrid option, and on site we'll see more dietary options/considerations. 


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    Lesley Irminger
    in_person
    George Mason - Office Of University EventsUnited States
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  • 12.  RE: Event Planning for Accessibility: Tips and Best Practices

    Posted 11-02-2023 13:40
    • Have you ever worked with attendees who have specific accessibility needs? If yes, how did you ensure they were accommodated? Yes, we incorporate a set of Accessability questions on our registration site, that capture those mentioned above. Then we use the reporting to see who has responded with an accessability need. We reach out to them afterwards to make sure all needs are met. 
    • How do you see the future of event planning evolving to better accommodate people with disabilities? I think it is constantly developing and taking more things into consideration when planning events.  We will continue thinking about every aspect of the event from start to end, and how to create an environment where everyone is included and their needs are met.


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    Nicole Giardino
    smms operator
    Bank of MontrealCanada
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