Accessibility Considerations For Events

Neurodiversity 101: How to host neuroinclusive meetings/conferences Creating neuroinclusive environments in workplace meetings can significantly improve engagement and productivity, especially for those with neurodivergent traits. Here are some practical tips on how to make your meetings more accessible and comfortable for all participants. Alternative feedback methods Not everyone is comfortable with handwriting feedback due to difficulties such as dysgraphia. Offer alternatives like setting up a camera for verbal feedback or using digital tools like voice-to-text applications. This ensures that everyone has the opportunity to contribute in a way that suits them best. Could you use Post-IT for some....different ways on offer... Polling on phones? Warm up a cold room! Start meetings with some warm-up time to help attendees settle in if they are new to the event/place/meeting. Plan for regular breaks and be flexible with how time is spent to accommodate different needs. This flexibility can help maintain focus and reduce stress for those who might feel overwhelmed by long, uninterrupted sessions. Does every meeting need to be 60 minutes? Who needs to be 'in the room' and who could be attending just as well virtually? Who doesn't need to be there at all! Consider the environment Pay attention to the lighting, temperature, and surrounding noises in your meeting space. Adjustments in these areas can help prevent sensory overload and create a comfortable environment for all attendees. Accessibility of materials Provide transcripts of talks and make recordings available to attendees. For presentations that include a lot of information, avoid asking for immediate decisions. Instead, provide a written version of the details and allow time for consideration. This helps attendees process information at their own pace and contribute more effectively. Thoughtful seating arrangements Keep seats at the end of rows in conferences free so that attendees can easily get up and move without disruption. Also, consider arranging some seating around the edges of the room for those who are uncomfortable with movement behind them. Structured discussions In group discussions, keep the groups small and give everyone time to express their opinions without interruptions or unsolicited questions. This structure helps to ensure that all voices are heard and valued. Encouraging feedback post-event after a conference or training event Recognise that some individuals may feel uncomfortable voicing their ideas or questions during the event. Encourage feedback after the meeting via different channels, allowing for more thoughtful and inclusive participation. What else do you suggest?

You don’t stop being disabled when conference or event sessions end, so why do so many organisers forget about inclusion at conference dinners and networking events? It’s great to see more events offering sign language interpreters, quiet rooms, and accessible seating during the main agenda. But what about during the coffee breaks? The networking dinner? The drinks at the end? If those adjustments vanish the moment the keynote’s over, it’s not inclusion – it’s performance. Disabled people don’t just attend the content. We build relationships, grab lunch, join the side conversations. And if those moments aren’t accessible, we’re being excluded from the most valuable parts of the day. Having sign language interpreters available throughout all event elements; keeping quiet rooms open; offering seated areas during networking; telling people food and drink menus in advance; offering sighted assistance for intros; having portable hearing loops in place; or providing enetworking options. These are all things you can do to show you actually want to host an inclusive event in full, not just meet minimum requirements. Inclusion isn’t a scheduled item. It’s a commitment. #DisabilityInclusion #Disability #DisabilityEmployment #Adjustments #DiversityAndInclusion #Content

Running a conference in the future - please read this. After attending several conferences and events in the last 12 months, I have found myself exhausted and needing a lot of rest afterwards. I have come to realise these spaces are not neuro-inclusive, so I thought I would share some recommendations. 1. Make sensory-safe spaces the norm Not everyone thrives under fluorescent lights or in bustling networking zones. Provide low-stimulation rooms where people can decompress and reset. 2. Build in buffer time Back-to-back sessions can be dysregulating. Create breathing space in the schedule, longer breaks, pauses between sessions, and asynchronous options to allow rest and reflection. 3. Prioritise layout and flow. Overcrowded booths and noisy foyers are inaccessible for many. Offer seating, create pathways with space, and avoid bottlenecks. 4. Offer multiple communication modes. Not everyone processes information the same way. Use visual timetables, captioned content, quiet Q&A formats, and clear signage to support diverse needs. 5. Ask - and respond. Seek feedback from neurodivergent attendees before and after your event. Implement what you learn. Neuroinclusion isn’t a checklist, it’s a commitment to ongoing learning. If you are interested to learn more about creating neuroinclusion spaces... read my latest Substack: https://lnkd.in/gpFhaMCk #neurodivergent #neuroinclusive #conference

“You’re invited to join the breakout group.” Sounds polite, right? But for many neurodivergent folks, "invited" still feels like expected. If you're facilitating a workshop or team event and truly want to create an inclusive space, especially for neurodivergent individuals, "optional" has to be more than just a word. Here’s the thing: For people who mask, who are managing sensory overwhelm, or who process differently—group and paired activities can be incredibly taxing. Saying “you’re invited” doesn’t communicate that opting out is actually safe. The social and professional pressure to conform can still feel intense—even in well-meaning spaces. If you want to honor autonomy and really foster psychological safety: ✔ Offer multiple ways to participate. ✔ Normalize opting out by saying it aloud: “You’re welcome to sit this out—no explanation needed.” ✔ Provide solo reflection options alongside breakout discussions. ✔ Don’t ask people to “share out” if they haven’t opted in. Inclusion isn’t just about invitation—it’s about permission without pressure. Let’s normalize facilitators saying: — “If group interaction isn’t where your brain is at today, that’s okay.” — “Reflection is participation.” — “Quiet is welcome here.” Have you ever felt pressured to “participate” when your brain or energy said no? #Neurodiversity #Facilitation #Inclusion #PsychologicalSafety #PlayfulWorkDesign #WorkplaceAccessibility #LearningAndDevelopment #Leadership

Accessibility looks very different depending on who you ask ♿ When many non-disabled people think about whether a venue is wheelchair accessible, the questions are: ➤ Is it step-free? 
➤ Is there a lift? And that’s often the entire checklist. But if you ask a wheelchair user to assess the same venue, the mental checklist looks very different. We’re thinking about things like: 🚪 Door width - can a wheelchair actually fit through? 🔁 Turning space – is there room to manoeuvre or is everything cramped? 🚻 Accessible loos - are they genuinely usable, or just labelled accessible? e.g. no grab rails, no turning space, being used as a supply closet 🪑 Table height and layout – can you sit at the table comfortably? Is it too low to roll a wheelchair under it? 🛗 Lift reliability – does it work consistently or break down every week? Is there more than one lift? (When moving house I only considered apartment blocks with multiple lifts) 🚧 Thresholds and “just one step” - the classic barrier businesses forget about. Not all wheelchairs can get over a 2 inch lip. 🅿️ Accessible parking nearby 📏 Counter height - can you actually interact with staff? 🧭 Clear routes through the space – or is it an obstacle course of furniture? Accessibility isn’t a single feature, it’s an entire user journey. And this is exactly why I’m passionate about: ✅ Disabled people being prioritised for accessibility roles
 ✅ Lived experience groups being embedded in strategy and design
 ✅ Accessibility being evaluated by the people who actually use it Because accessibility designed without disabled people often misses the most basic things. It’s also why I love platforms like Sociability: accessibility information about venues written by disabled people, for disabled people. Businesses still routinely: ➤ Misunderstand what “accessible” means ➤ Describe places with “just one step” as accessible ➤ Or fail to provide clear information at all And that uncertainty can be the difference between someone going out or staying home. Accessibility expertise isn’t theoretical. For many of us, it’s daily lived experience. Value it. #Accessibility #DisabilityInclusion #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #InclusiveDesign #LivedExperience #AccessibleSpaces

“Unusually inclusive.” That was the feedback I received after a recent workshop, and it stuck with me. Inclusion isn’t a feature you toggle on once the Zoom starts. It starts way earlier, and it continues throughout. ✨ Here are 10 ways to build accessibility and inclusion into your workshop from start to finish. Feel free to borrow or steal these tips for your own inclusive practice: - In your invitation, share what accessibility measures are already in place (captions, described visuals, optional participation), and invite requests. - Make participation optional: cameras off, silent presence, skipping breakout rooms… all totally fine. No need to explain. - Set expectations early: What’s the session for? Who is it for? How long will it last? Will there be breaks? This helps reduce anxiety and supports pacing. - Turn on captions and explain how to activate, resize, or hide them. Don’t assume people know. - Describe visuals out loud, especially charts, images, or anything not captured by captions. - Use multiple ways to participate: chat, voice, emoji reactions, or just listening. All are valid. - Repeat key info in the chat: it helps those who joined late, process visually, or use screen readers. - Offer a silent breakout room, for those who need company but not conversation. - Explain how to get help, who to message if something isn’t working, and who the host is. - Close with kindness: summarise next steps (if any), thank people for showing up however they could, and keep the door open for feedback. 👉 These are not advanced features. They’re basic ways to acknowledge that access needs vary, and that everyone deserves to feel safe and seen. I bundled these tips into a visual checklist one year ago, and they are still valid: https://lnkd.in/djYvcKV2 #Facilitation #inclusivefacilitation #accessibility

50% of events still fail their “accessible” audience. Because compliance isn’t the same as care. ✅ The toilets are labelled. ✅ The viewing platform is built. ✅ The accessible parking bays are marked. 👊 Job done, right? ❌ Except it’s not. Because disability doesn’t begin and end at the wheelchair entrance. Truly inclusive events are built with thoughtfulness baked into the blueprint. Not bolted on at the end. And the difference? It’s always in the details. Here are 9 features that make events genuinely accessible—and most teams still miss them: 1. Sensory Kits and Quiet Spaces ↳ Designated calm zones help guests with sensory sensitivities reset without leaving the event entirely. 2. Lower Food and Beverage Counters ↳ Or simply, staff who notice when someone can’t reach and offer assistance without fanfare. 3. Mobility Device Charging Stations ↳ Advertised, available, and not tucked behind a stack of speaker cases. 4. Event Info in Multiple Formats ↳ Digital guides. Braille. Easy-read summaries. Make information feel inviting, not exclusive. 5. Virtual Participation and Digital Previews ↳ Offer virtual attendance and pre-event digital walkthroughs so guests with access needs can plan their day with confidence, not guesswork. 6. Audio Descriptions for Visual Moments ↳ From installations to shows, describe the world your guests are meant to experience. 7. Promoted Hearing Loop Availability ↳ Make sure assistive listening systems like hearing loops are clearly signed, actively promoted, and that staff can confidently help guests use them. 8. Inclusive Emergency Plans ↳ Evacuation support for disabled guests should never be improvised. Plan routes, assign trained support staff, and ensure clear communication methods are in place for everyone. 9. Accessible Rest Points ↳ Not just benches, but comfortable, regular seating for people who can’t stand for long periods. This is where pre-visualisation becomes more than a tech demo. It’s a tool to test care. To model not just the headline experience, but the human reality. Because when you design for everyone, you design better for everyone. And that’s a legacy worth planning for. --- 🔔 Follow Iain Morrison for smarter ways to visualise and de-risk big shows ♻️ Repost to help someone see accessibility as a system, not a sticker

#ProTip for Event Planners 💡 Before allocating budget and resources toward accessibility features, take the time to truly understand the needs of your guests with disabilities. For example, if a guest is Blind or has low vision, don’t assume they’ll need materials translated into Braille. Did you know only 11% of the Blind community uses Braille? Many people with vision disabilities rely on assistive technologies instead. Similarly, not all deaf or hard-of-hearing hearing guests know sign language—some may require captioning or front-row seating instead of interpreters. The best way to ensure your efforts are impactful? Just ask! Include a question in your registration form for attendees to request accommodations specific to their needs. This approach saves time, resources, and ensures your event is truly accessible. At Dreamforce, we opened the question of accommodation needs to over 40,000 attendees. With hard work, dedication, and compassion, we successfully met 99.2% of accommodation requests, creating one of the most accessible events in the world—not just in the tech industry. Opening this dialogue with your attendees gives you invaluable insights into their needs, enabling you to design a safe, inclusive, and accessible environment for people with disabilities. ✨ Salesforce is dedicated to leading with intention in accessibility and disability inclusion, and I'm so proud to be a part of the journey. #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #Accessibility #DisabilityInclusion #AccessibleEvents #EventPlanning #EventManagement #DisabilityAwareness #EventProfs #BestPractices