How to Grow Accessibility

Train yourself/staff/volunteers on disability etiquette and language

• Disable Disrespect Language Guide
• Choosing Words when Talking about Disability
• Inclusive Language Guide
• People First Language
• Basic principles of disability etiquette
• Disability Sensitivity Training Video

Advertise your willingness to make accommodations

• Use the universal symbols for accessibility services
• Make a public notice ahead of your event to invite accommodations requests (it’s common to ask for two weeks advance notice for certain accommodations)
• Include a line for accommodation requests in every registration or ticket sales form

Connect with local disability advocacy and support groups to learn more about resources in your community

• Easter Seals
• ARC Indiana
• Bosma Enterprises

Prepare your front line event staff/volunteers on how to make accommodations on the spot

• Make sure they know basic Disability Etiquette & language (see above)
• Make sure they know what flexibility is available for people with disabilities
• Make sure they know which other staff they can go to for help when presented with an accommodation request

Do an audit of your website, printed materials, and physical space

• Website audit resources:
  • Easter Seals Tech
  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
  • Introduction to Web Accessibility
• Printed material guidelines for large print
• Physical space accessibility audit checklist
• Overall accessibility checklist from NEA

Add accessibility goals to your strategic plan to ensure that it is a part of your everyday work at every level of your organization

True accessibility is an ongoing, core component of an organization. A disability-inclusive organization/program/event is designed well before a person registers to attend or enters the space.