Take the time to reflect with the questions below.
- What does accessibility look like to you?
- What accessibility adjustment/considerations/processes have you implemented in your activity?
- Do you have feedback from persons with disabilities that inform the successes or failures that need to be improved on?
These questions can reveal how much accessibility is part of your process. If you struggle to answer the three questions, accessibility is likely an afterthought. If the reflections reveal that most accessibility considerations happen at the end of the process, it is an afterthought.
It is not an uncommon thought process, with legislation that is developed and currently in development, there is an expectation that consideration is already made. Unfortunately, standards are not always matched with the experiences of people with disabilities. Not only are the standards not up to the level of access needed for people with disabilities, in the process, you can unintentionally create more barriers with the lack of experience and knowledge of the disability lived experience.
It is time for a change in people’s processes on how they plan and execute an activity. People with disabilities deserve to participate in their community freely without barriers. How can the change happen? The first step is not considering accessibility as an afterthought. It should be considered in the beginning and be just as important as a venue and speakers.
Until we all consider accessibility components to be a normal part of the process, it is going to feel like it is so much. Anything new and unfamiliar is going to feel like a lot but that should not stop us from making everyone feel included and part of the activity and part of the experience you are trying to provide.
Read Now to Improve Access!
The Accessibility Guide for More Accessible Events and Activities is now available to read and learn to create more accessible spaces and activities in the community.