We believe that important conversations should be inclusive. Diversity of thought and perspective leads to richer discussions and better solutions. One important way to help virtual events be more inclusive is to make them more accessible.
So we put together an Accessibility Guide on considerations for producing the most accessible event we know how to make, inspired by the seven Universal Design (UD) Principles, which you can learn more about on the National Disability Authority’s website. We drew from the four principles that were most applicable to the virtual platform, but it’s important to note that not one size fits all.
If your organization, company, or association values inclusivity and accessibility as strengths that better the world as much as we do, then this guide is for you; please feel free to use it as a tool to support your future virtual events.
Why a tree?
As the brainstorming behind this guide began, the resources were collected, and the conversations were held, we felt this project had the potential to take many shapes. We didn’t want to produce a checklist, we didn’t want to produce a report. We felt that there was no way to place certain accessibility measures above or below others, nor how to express how inclusivity fits into accessibility without placing it above or below.
Our choice to shape our thoughts (and guide) along the shape of a tree helped us communicate the similarities, interconnectedness, and overall harmony of how accessibility can run through your virtual event production, beginning to end.
Always co-creating.
This resource was made possible by the generous contributions of thought, time, effort, experiences and reflections of some truly amazing people, among them is our Universal Design Advisor, Gift Tshuma.
While working on The Accessibility Tree with us, Gift put down several thoughts of his own on the importance of building a more accessible virtual infrastructure. You can read the full post here on LinkedIn:
“We said it before, and we’ll say it again: Nothing is accessible to everyone. The reality is, there are some hurdles you may not be able to jump over within the specific platform you are using. Instead of trying to conceal your event’s inaccessibility, make your attendees aware of the ways in which they might be limited. Extending them the respect of acknowledging their needs not only gives them time to adjust their expectations, but it will also foster an environment they will feel more comfortable in.”
We welcome your thoughts, suggestions, and additions! Please get in touch!
Special thanks to:
Gift Tshuma
Universal Design Advisor, Matchbox Virtual Media
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Joan L. Eisenstodt
Eisenstodt Associates, LLC – Meetings & Hospitality Consultant, Facilitator & Trainer
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Samantha Evans, MBA
Certification Manager
International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), a division of G3ict
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