Accessibility Minute - February 2023

Welcome to our February issue of the Accessibility Minute Newsletter! This newsletter is produced by the CU Boulder Digital Accessibility Office and covers one accessibility skill or topic per month. Please visit the DAO website for access to allpast newsletters. As always, thank you for taking a minute (or two!) to read.

Accessible In-Person Events

When planning for an in-person event, it’s best to always assume that your audience will include people with diverse access and engagement needs. This month’s newsletter will outline approaches you can take when planning an in-person event to ensure all attendees have an equitable experience.

There are two approaches when planning for an event; the reactive approach and the proactive approach. The reactive approach is when accommodations are put in place once a person with a disability makes a request. The proactive approach is when access needs are anticipated, and accessibility considerations are made in advance. When planning for an event, it is important to combine both approaches. Although you may not be able to anticipate every access need, we recommend taking a proactive approach when planning, and takinga reactive approach by providing the option for attendees to submit accommodation requests. It is important to note that being proactive does not eliminate the need for accommodations, nor is that the goal, but it does create a more inclusive event for all attendees.

For additional information and planning support at CU Boulder, please contactADA Compliancefor employee and visitor accommodations orDisability Servicesfor student accommodations.

Event Promotion

Most events require creating promotional materials, whether it be web pages, online registration forms, schedules, flyers, emails, and more. When creating and distributing these materials, keepcontentaccessibility best practicesin mind and consider following thebest practices listed below.

  • Include generalaccessibility information.This can range from the accessibility of the event space, parking, wheelchair access, and more. Include accessibility practices, such as sign language interpretation and real-time captioning, that will be provided proactively.
  • Describe the event structure or agendato help attendees assess whether they may want to request an accommodation. For example, “this event will include a slide presentation and videos.”
  • Let attendees know how they should request accommodations, and if there are deadlines for submitting requests. Some accommodations, such as sign language interpreting and real-time captioning, may require up to a week or more in advance to coordinate and implement.
  • Create a registration request form, if possible. Include a section for attendees to indicate if they have any accommodation requests, again, indicating how much advance notice may be required.
  • Sample text: "Do you require an accommodationto access this event? If yes, please describe. Please note that accommodation requests received less than 5 business days before the event may not be able to be fulfilled."
  • Provide a point of contact for accessibility assistance. Include an email address and phone number for attendees to contact in the event of day-of access needs.

Event Space

As mentioned, it is best to plan proactively, when possible, and consider the access needs ofattendees. When decidingona location for the event,we recommendthefollowing best practices.

  • Reserve seats in the front and back rowsfor attendees who need additional space or assistance getting to their seats or who have service animals.
  • Check the sound quality. The use of microphones improves sound quality for most attendees and enables the use of assistive listening devices for people with hearing impairments.
  • Be mindful of chairs that are small or difficult to get into. If you think chairs may present access issues for some people, add other types of seating.
  • Ensure access paths to seatingand other important areas are not blocked or crowded by furniture, cables, or areas of congregation.
  • Have staff or volunteers availableat larger events to assist attendees to find different locations (particularly helpful for blind and low vision attendees). For large events, it is also good to designate an on-site point person for accessibilityto troubleshoot any issues that arise.
  • Consider live streaming or recording the event, if feasible for presenters. Having a remote option improves accessibility, since some people may be unable to attend in-person for various reasons. If this is an option, please visit ourlive captioning resource pagefor more information on providing closed captions forlive streaming or recording.

Presentation Delivery

If an in-person event includes speakers or presentations, it is important to ensure that the information being presented is accessible and inclusive to all participants. While these tips assist individuals who are blind and have low vision, they also assistindividuals with other types of disabilities, such as learning and cognitive disabilities. Speakers and presenters should follow the best practices listed below, which we also recommend applying to virtual events.

  • Ensure that anyone speaking at the event uses a microphone, including audience members with questions.
  • Provide verbal descriptionsof presenters during introductions as well as any meaningful visual content in a presentation (images, graphs, charts, etc.).
  • Pause to check for understanding often.
  • Allow time for processing if you ask questions.
  • Build in time for breaks during longer presentations.
  • Avoid rushing or trying to cover too much content for the allotted time.

February Challenge

  • If you don't have an upcoming in-person event, implement the presentation delivery best practices into your next virtual presentation or event.
  • Look for ways to improve events in which you participate and ask questions about accessible practices.

DAO News

DAO Office Hoursare now the 4th Tuesday of every month from 1-2 pm MT. Our next office hours will be held onFebruary 28, 2023.

Your Thoughts

We want to hear from you about any questions or issues you run into while trying out this accessibility practice this month! Pleasesend us your thoughts on this month’s topic.

If you have questions, comments, or would like support with accessibility, please contact us atDigitalAccessibility@Colorado.EDU.