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jesse_the_k posting in

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Handy form which prompts you to fill in the accomodations provided for an event:

http://www.disabled.cusu.cam.ac.uk/resources/access-info/

It's not perfect, but it's an excellent start. Could be useful when convincing other members of your group, since Oxbridge carries some credibility: "here's a Cambridge University resource for accessible event planning."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

kaberett

oh, lol, I know the person who wrote that (and am involved with the relevant campaign), and can probably still arrange for it to be edited! If y'all have feedback, please let me know and I can Make Stuff Happen.

From:

jesse_the_k

Oh lol! I love the internet!

Here's an issue intimately tied to the fiscal security of the presenters: can people attend virtually?

Another issue which can create a lot of barriers is food service (or lack of same). I can't think how to encapsulate into tidy yes/no questions the way the form does, but maybe someone else can?

a. Is it OK if people bring food to consume on site?
b. Are you serving food?
c. If so, can you tailor it to people's food restrictions?
d. Can people who can't be around certain foods participate virtually (near room with audio/vid feed?)

From:

lauredhel

I love the internet too!

On seating, it is useful to also note if there is wide seating available. Padded/comfortable seating can be of no use if there are narrow fixed chair arms.

On blue badge parking - "near the venue" needs to be defined. Exact distance to the venue is useful to know for people with fatigue/pain/etc issues, whether they use a wheelchair or not.

I'm sure there are lots of other possible tweaks, but these are the first two that occurred to me.

From:

selkiechick

This is a neat tool.
It does bring to to in interesting point, and one I have been thinking about in regards to having an accessibility policy posted online.

How important is it to note what you are not offering (or limitations to waht you are offering. (Like, "There are Assistive Listening Devices available for events in the main ballroom." or is that an opening for legal action?

Edited Date: 2013-09-09 05:20 pm (UTC)

From:

jesse_the_k

Personally, in my U.S. experience, finding and hiring a lawyer to sue in a private action (not a city or state or Fed) is almost impossible. I would pay thousands of dollars to wave a magic wand and melt the "fear of lawsuits prevents us from providing access" meme.

As someone who uses access services, I must know what's provided ahead of time or I won't go. When the organizer provides this info publicly (I don't have to ask for "special" services), they're saving me the effort of emailing to discover who to talk to and then have the conversation.

When the organizer tells me what they don't have available, their access information becomes three times as trustworthy. Knowing the limits in advance permits me to make an informed decision. Encountering the limits at the event is never a happy surprise and may end with me frustrated, insulted, dejected, or furious at the organizers.

From:

selkiechick

That's pretty much the same conclusion I came to. Part of providing good accommodations is being clear, up front, about what you are and are not providing, so that attendees can plan accordingly.