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Designing Events Pharmaceutical Newsletter |
Are Your Meetings Accessible for Persons with Disabilities? 10 Ways to Make Sure They Are.
By 2030, it is estimated that 24 percent of the
U.S. population will be disabled; this is an
increase of more than 30 million in 1997.
Chances are that in the coming years some
attendees of your meetings will
have disabilities – do you know how to ensure
that your meetings are accessible? Below are
some steps you can take to ensure that this
growing segment of the populations is not
excluded from your next meeting.
1. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
requires that all public facilities are
accessible, but many just meet the minimum
requirements, which may not be enough. Selecting
a location that goes above and beyond the
requirements is the most important step in
making your meeting is accessible.
2. Include an ADA clause in all of your contracts that details the responsibilities’ of the venue and the meeting planner in making the location accessible. This can be especially important if the conference is being held in a location that is not legally required to meet the ADA laws, such as a historic location or one built prior to the enactment date of the ADA. For more specific information about making a location accessible, view our Accessibility Checklist for Meetings and Conferences at www.designingevents.com/checklist/Accessibility_Checklist.asp.
3. Make sure that you and your staff are knowledgeable about proper disability etiquette. A great resource is The United Spinal Association’s Disability Etiquette Guide at www.unitedspinal.org/pdf/DisabilityEtiquette.pdf#search="etiquette around people with disabilities".
4. Provide a registration system that is accessible and an opportunity during the process to self-identify as a person with a disability and detail any accommodations that are needed.
5. Provide print material in alternate media - this request may be made by both Visually impaired people and people with learning disabilities. (Communicate with the person making the request. The alternate media can be Braille, large-print text, audiotape or computer files.)
6. Encourage exhibitors and speakers to also provide materials in alternative formats.
7. Request room sets that accommodate wheelchairs and guide dogs.
8. Provide interpreters for deaf and blind attendees. Provide sign language interpreters. (Communicate with the person making the request as to the type of interpreter: American Sign Language, Pidgen Signed English, Signed Exact English or Oral Interpreters.)
9. Offer assistive listening devices (ALD) for people who are hard of hearing.
10. Provide sighted guides and orientation and mobility specialists for visually impaired attendees.
Do you need help ensuring that your meeting or
event
is accessible?
Contact Designing Events at
info@designingevents.com or
866-867-1933.