This resource has easy-to-use, practical resources on how to make meetings and events more inclusive.
what do I need to think about to ensure full inclusion at a Meeting or Event?
Please see below several resources from the Chicago Community Trust to guide your efforts:
- Planning accessible and inclusive meetings: What things do I need to think about?
- The Day of a Meeting: How do I arrange the space?
- Conducting Meetings: How do I facilitate inclusive meetings?
- Maintaining Access: How do I ensure the physical space access is accessible?
Looking for checklists? The following resources have you covered:
- Conference Accessibility Checklist, World Institute on Disability
- How to Make Your Social Justice Events Accessible to the Disability Community: A Checklist, Rooted in Rights
What about planning accessible virtual events?
Now that so many events have shifted online, it’s important to ensure no one is left behind from participating. The following resources offer helpful insight into considerations for accessible virtual meetings and events:
- Making Web Conferences Accessible, TrustRadius
- Checklist for an Accessible Virtual Meeting & Presentation, Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology
- How to Make Your Virtual Meetings and Events Accessible to the Disability Community, Rooted in Rights
- An Accessibility Checklist for Virtual Events, The Communications Network
We also recommend the following advanced resource on accessibility from Helping Educate to Advance the Rights of Deaf communities (HEARD), “The Revolution Must Be Accessible,” which includes versions in multiple languages and formats:
How do I ask participants what disability accommodations they might need?
Meeting with a potential grantee/colleague donor/contractor
“We are looking forward to meeting you! So that we can ensure everyone’s full participation in the meeting, please let me know if you or one of your colleagues require an accommodation or service (such as sign language interpretation, ASL, CART, digital, large-print or Braille materials, wheelchair access, etc.)”
When you send invitations or registration forms
“How can we help you fully participate?”
“[FOUNDATION NAME] is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. If you require an accommodation or service to fully participate, please contact [NAME at EMAIL, PHONE NUMBER] at least {#} days prior to the event.”
Consider including a note about access and accommodations that will be made automatically available without participant request, such as ASL interpretation, CART services, digital materials, wheelchair access, etc.
No single guide or checklist is the solution to inclusion. Just remember, it’s always good to ask the person what he/she/they need as people are different and may have different preferences and accommodations needs. It’s important to be proactive about planning and ensure you have the time to arrange accommodations. Also, attend disability events and see what this advice looks like in action!
Accessible Event Planning: A Learning Journey
Read about Southern California Grantmakers’ (SCG’s) intentional learning and planning process to host an accessible, inclusive event: “Nothing Without Us”: SCG’s Journey to Inclusive Design.