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How To Make Your Event More Accessible

Nowadays, accessibility is talked about more than it was before. Whether you are planning a small or a big event, one of the main things you should consider is making your event accessible to all of your guests. But accessible events don’t involve only accessible parking, wheelchair ramps, and accessible restrooms; they are much more than that. 

Many people are still not too familiar with the term accessibility. So what is accessibility? In order to promote fair access and usefulness for individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities, accessibility refers to how goods, services, places, and information are designed and implemented. By removing obstacles and fostering inclusive environments, accessibility strives to enable people with disabilities to fully engage in activities, access information, and use products and services without encountering exclusion or discrimination.

So, to make sure there is a perfect atmosphere at the event you are hosting, feel free to contact The Hangar which has 20,000 square feet of interior space ready to host your next event. We look forward to hosting your next event at Regatta Harbour. If you wanna ensure that everyone has an inclusive experience stick around and find out how to make your event more accessible.

Consider the Accessibility of the Venue

One of the first things you should do when planning an accessible event is to pick a venue that can answer all your demands. Choose a location that has amenities like wheelchair ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms, and wide entrances that are wheelchair accessible. Ensure that parking spaces are identified as accessible and that there are no physical obstacles in the event site that can restrict mobility.

Offer Ticketing and Registration Options

When organizing an event, one of your main goals is high attendance. If the event you are organizing demands ticketing or some kind of registration, you should provide online alternatives. Allow for various forms of communication, and provide other means for people who might have trouble using internet platforms. This will make your event registration and ticketing procedure accessible. If your event requests an entry fee, you should also consider granting a free entrance for at least one companion of your guest if they are in need of personal assistant.

Provide Information on Accessibility

Make sure to make the accessibility aspects of your event clear on your website, registration papers, and advertising materials. This should include details on the accessibility of the venue, communication accommodations, and other accessible measures that have been put in place.

Communicate Your Accessible Event the Right Way

Give attendees with visual or hearing impairments information about your event in a variety of forms, such as big print, braille, or audio. Avoid using jargon or technical phrases that can be challenging for certain guests to grasp and speak in an inclusive manner. For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, ensure that all announcements and presentations have closed captioning or sign language interpretation.

Train Your Volunteers and Staff

Educate your staff and volunteers on accessibility awareness, including how to engage with people who have disabilities, provide help, and respond to any complaints or inquiries about accessibility. Tell them about ADA compliance and how to help the guests respectfully.

Offer Mobility Assistance

Make sure to provide support to anyone who might need it for the ability to move by assigning volunteers to aid wheelchair users or others with mobility issues to find their way about the event venue. You can also respectfully offer guidance to accessible restrooms or offer help finding the wheelchair ramps and accessible parking. If your budget allows you, you can even organize transportation for your guests. Good deeds are always greatly appreciated.

Carefully Plan the Interior of Your Venue

Determine if your event will have dining tables or bar tables. With that in mind, arrange your seating chart. People with disabilities should be seated first. Check if there is enough room between the tables for people in a wheelchair to move around. Consider the lighting and music in your venue. By reducing overbearing stimuli that can disturb those with sensory sensitivity, such as those who have autism or sensory processing disorder, you can create a sensory-friendly atmosphere.

Check the ADA Compliance for Accessible Events

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that as many as one in four adults in the United States of America live with some type of disability. Conforming to the accessibility rules and standards established by the Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal law passed in the United States in 1990, is referred to as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance. The ADA compliance aims to end discrimination against people with disabilities and guarantee equal access to facilities, opportunities, jobs, and other services. 

A wide range of organizations must be ADA compliant, including companies, employers, governmental bodies, motels, eateries, theaters, shops, transportation companies, and more. In order to be ADA compliant, reasonable accommodations must be provided to guarantee that people with disabilities have an equal chance to access and benefit from services, programs, and activities. So, anytime you want to organize an accessible event, you should research ADA compliance to ensure a more inclusive experience for your guests.

Have Inclusive Activities and Programming

To make an event more inclusive and accessible, include speakers, performers, and presenters who reflect a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints. Let the speakers at your event know about some accessibility notes so they can be prepared. 

For icebreakers and conversation starters, organize games, competitions, and other activities that are accessible to everyone. If you are using presentations with slides at your event, make them accessible too. Use large fonts and high-quality photos. Make sure to have a sign language interpreter for deaf people and an audio option for people who are blind to listen to the presentations.

Think About Food and Beverages

Consider various dietary limitations and offer a range of food choices, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free alternatives, to satisfy various dietary requirements. It is always good to have your guests inform you of any dietary requirements, as it will be easier for you to arrange things before the event.

Get Feedback

Always make sure to follow up with your attendees after the event. Find out what people liked and what they didn’t. See if they all felt included and had a good time at your gathering. Take notes and list stuff that needs changing so your next accessible event can be a success.

To Conclude

By following these actions on the list, you may make your event more welcoming, accessible, and inclusive, allowing everyone to participate fully and enjoy themselves. These days, accessible events are crucial because research shows that over a billion people worldwide are experiencing some sort of disability. Accessibility and inclusivity in all events and other occasions should be normalized. Let your event be exemplary for all the other accessible events to come.