Transcript Wide Open Spaces: Accessible Conference and Meeting Spaces

Wide Open Spaces:
Accessible Conference and Meeting Spaces for All
Presenters: Meredith Aalto & Mat McCollough
National Service Inclusion Project
6 September 2007
Wide Open Spaces:
Introduction
Consideration for accessible meeting
arrangements:
 Location
 Exterior Access
 Interior Access
 Refreshment and Dietary Needs
 Alternative Formats and Promotional
Materials
Initial Considerations and
Advanced Planning

Two significant areas under consideration:
1.
2.
Physical access to the meeting space
Access to the meeting contents and proceedings

Advanced planning for meeting accommodation
requests are vital – when accommodations are
requested, take appropriate steps ahead of
time.

Even when you may not know in advance
whether any of your participants may need
accommodations, you should be prepared to
arrange your meeting or event to be accessible
so that people with disabilities can participate
independently.
Location

Plan an on-site visit in order to determine its
level of accessibility before you book your event

Determine the appropriateness through previous
successful experiences involving people with
disabilities at that venue

Inquire about recent renovations or current
construction that may have an impact on
accessibility

Determine whether the venue staff has been
sufficiently trained in disability awareness. If
not, arrange for training prior to your event
Exterior Access
Signage

Signs for the street address or building name
are clearly visible from the street
Parking


Determine numbers of accessible parking
spots available for the estimated number of
attendees with disabilities.
Ensure that the designated parking spots for
people with disabilities are on a firm, slipresistant surface and located close to the
entrance of the building
Exterior Access
Sidewalks/Path of Travel
 Determine
that there is a barrier free
path of travel from the parking lot to
the meeting entrance
Accessible Transit
 Make
certain that the location is
serviced by accessible transit services
Interior Access
Entrances & Lobbies
 Accessible entrance is available with all
doorways wide enough for the passage of a
person using a wheelchair or scooter
 When the main entrance is NOT accessible,
ensure there is a clearly visible sign indicating
the location of the accessible entrance
 Provide signs indicating where the meeting is
taking place within the building
 Arrange for staff or volunteers to be available at
doorways and throughout the facility to direct or
assist people with disabilities to the meeting
location.
Interior Access
continued
Elevators


Are elevators large and safe to conveniently transport
the number of people using mobility devices
Braille buttons and raised numerals have been
provided to assist people who are blind or have low
vision
Accessible Washrooms




Large enough to accommodate scooter and power
wheelchair users and are equipped with at least one
accessible stall
Faucets are reachable by a person using a wheelchair
or scooter and can be operated using one hand.
Other washroom accessories and dispensers are within
easy reach of a person using a wheelchair or scooter
Accessible washrooms are located in close proximity to
the meeting rooms
Interior Access
continued
Hallways

Major hallways and all essential doorways throughout
the facility are wide enough to permit the passage of
people using wheelchair and scooters
Meeting Rooms




Large enough to provide circulation and seating for an
adequate number of participants who use wheelchair,
scooters, guide dogs or other mobility aids
Accessible seating is available
Reception/refreshment areas are in an area large
enough to provide circulation for all participants
Remind speakers and exhibitors to provide printed
handout materials in alternative formats should
alternative formats be requested in advance
Refreshment and
Dietary Needs

Provide an opportunity for participants to
indicate their dietary needs on the
registration form where meals are being
served

Provide non-sugar (dietary) beverages,
juices and water for people with dietary
concerns such as diabetes

Provide alternative to pastries and
cookies, such as fruits or vegetables, are
available for people with dietary concerns
Alternative Format and
Promotional Materials

Promotional materials are identified
with the International Symbol of
Accessibility
Alternative Formats &
Promotional Materials (continued)
Multiple Communication Formats
 Provide
sign language interpreters
and/or captionists
 Large Print
 Offer materials in electronic formats
(use email, compact disc, memory
sticks, etc.)
 Video
 Tapes
Bringing It All Together
You can be an “access expert”





Visit a site & use an accessibility checklist
Ask questions- What does “accessible”
mean?
Gather a list of resources
Evaluate and determine how accessibility
was met.
Can it get better?
Final Thoughts &
Resources
If you want a great turnout to your meetings and events-plan for it the best way
possible. Make it accessible!
Here are some helpful resources to get started

Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973
http://www.dol.gov/oasam/regs/statutes/sec504.htm

Planning for Accessible Meetings & General Guidelines When Serving Persons
with Disabilities: http://dawn.thot.net/accessible_meetings.html

Accessibility Handbook for Hotels and Meeting Spaces (page 48 and on are the
checklists):
http://www.universaldesign.com/fileuploads/1123603717_Accomodating_All_G
uests.pdf

Updated! ADA and ABA* Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities
Published in the Federal Register July 23, 2004 and amended August 5,
2005. (*Architectural Barriers Act of 1968)
http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/final.htm
Contact NSIP
National Service Inclusion Project
UMass/ICI
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125
Phone/TTY: 888.491.0326
Fax: 617.287.4352
Email: [email protected]
Website:
http://www.serviceandinclusion.org
Presenters:
Meredith Aalto ([email protected])
Mat McCollough ([email protected])