CARPETS
Solid surfaces like polished concrete or
varnished wood floors could cause a hazard for people who are ambulatory but
unsteady on their feet. They are slippery, especially if liquids were spilled.
Yes, carpets are generally a better solution.
However, carpet should have high density, low cut pile. Otherwise it acts a bit
like quicksand for wheelchair users who have to work a lot harder to move from
point A to point B.
HALLWAYS
Hallways should be wide and clear of
obstructions. This will help mobility for wheelchair users, but also for people
with sight impairments, particularly if they use a cane for mobility.
DINING HALLS
If you offer meals, such as lunch, plan the
layout of the dining hall carefully. Ensure there is enough space between the
tables (including with people seating at chairs) for a wheelchair user or
someone using a guide dog to be able to navigate through. Otherwise you risk
forcing people with limited mobility to sit near the doors, or be unable to
reach the buffet table.
The round tables and chairs in the photo are for a presentation, but imagine if they were setup like this for a dinner – No room to move around. Photo by William Boyes. CC SA-By 2.0
Are you organizing dining “tribes”, or interest
group tables? How are you going to deliver that information to attendees with
visual impairments? How will they know which table might host a tribe they
relate to? You could make an an announcement with offer to direct people could
be made, or a listing of the available tribes could be provided on the website,
again with an offer to have a volunteer direct people to the right table.
EVACUATION PLANS
When you talk to the facility manager about the
evacuation plan, discuss with them what their procedures are to evacuate people
with disabilities. Share that information with your attendees.
How have you made
your conference more accessible for all people?
If you are
interested in learning more about Accessibility
for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) or how to make accessibility a natural
part of your business through the application of Corporate Social Responsibility, please contact Sandra Broekhof @
416-579-1035 orsandra_broekhof@sympatico.ca
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