Accessibility guidelines
From BiOrgResources
Contents |
Why Accessibility?
The bi community contains a larger proportion of disabled people than nearly any other, it seems. So by keeping them out, or by not helping them to be comfortable and there, we'd be both shooting ourselves in the foot and biasing all the workshops and discussions towards the non-disabled.
Statistics were presented at BiReCon - from memory, 25% of survey respondents noted themselves disabled. That's an extremely significant proportion, and it's us.
Physical accessibility
Things like lifts, lack of clutter at wheelchair height, enough open space to move around. Also consider the seating - is it supportive? Are the accessible loos really accessible?
Sensory accessibility
Decent lighting, lack of unpleasant ambient noise, decent acoustics. Temperature. Smell. Allergy triggers.
Information accessibility
Providing access to information about your event by multiple methods e.g telephone or post is important. See Telephones for more info on options available.
Also considering accessibility of written materials about your event and those available during your event. See Information Accessibility for more info.
Social accessibility
Need to make sure the available space isn't either all small corners, or all one large room with no space-breaking. Sight-lines to exits are important, and that there's enough space for the number of people.
Also look at it from other angle - what sort of person would go to an event in venue x? Is there a particular social class bias to the venue/type of event? Note that pubs are likely to be inaccessible to Muslims. People who are teetotal/don't drink much alcohol may prefer to attend events in places other than pubs. Also those recovering from alcoholism or being affected by drunks. Is there an age bias? How are gender-variant people treated?
Financial accessibility
What's the cost of attending the event? Think about things like transport costs, the cost of drinks + food at the venue, baby sitting costs etc. Higher cost events can be less accessible to those on low incomes (students/unemployed/retired/often disabled people).
Timing
This one's always tricky. Most people can't make daytimes on weekdays; many people can't make Sunday mornings or early evenings for Christian reasons. If getting there involves rush-hour public transport, that will rule out a lot of people with social, environmental, or anxiety issues.
Religion/Other Spiritual beliefs or lack thereof
Events held Friday evening/Saturday daytime are likely to be inaccessible to people who are Jewish. Events on Sundays may not be accessible to Christians. People who are agnostic/atheist may not feel events held in Church Halls or other venues run by religious organisations are accessible to them.
Transport
If the venue isn't easily accessible by public transport (preferably wheelchair- and pushchair-friendly public transport) then that keeps out a lot of people. More than a few minutes' walk from the station or bus stop (especially for a long event, where people will have luggage) is a bad thing.
If the event's expected to run late, consider the last bus or last train.
Have timetables and cab company cards handy.
Also consider availability and cost of local car parking spaces. Some people will find not being able to access a venue by car makes an event inaccessible to them. Consider availability of parking spaces for those with Blue Badges.
Family friendly
Access to a fridge & microwave for handling baby food & expressed milk/baby formula.
Space for breast-feeding and nappy changing. Not the toilets - nobody else has to eat in the toilets, so why should babies? Nappy changing space men can use. Some warning of hazards to small people (eg. stairs, balconies, open fires) may be of use.
Possible creche space.
Room to move pushchairs around, and/or to park them out of the way.
Dietary requirements
Make sure all ingredients of available food (including traces of nuts or animal fat for example) are known and communicated. Check the nutrition levels of meals are appropriate for the type of meal being provided for all - eg. vegans may want more than a side salad for a main evening meal.
Make sure people know where to go to get food and water, even if it's just a case (as it is on the South Bank) of "head out of the door and turn left and/or right".
Remember that team members, volunteers etc. also need to eat and drink.
If it's an isolated venue, as universities tend to be, make sure there are directions (preferably maps) to several supermarkets and a selection of takeaway fliers.
