Accessibility & Inclusion During Events

Ensuring that Celebrating Disability events are accessible to all

What is this page?

This page outlines the structure of Celebrating Disability events.  It is intended to support delegates and participants to foresee any reasonable adjustments they may need to request in order to participate.  We outline the structures of any sessions and the general adjustments we make to our sessions to enable accessibility and inclusion. 

If there are any access requirements you would like us to be aware of ahead of the event, please feel free to email hello@celebratingdisability.co.uk

Inclusion and accessibility as standard

The following resources are utilised to ensure inclusion during all events:

Closed captions (subtitles) are available in all Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet sessions. These captions will be enabled as standard and can be turned off if you would prefer not to use them.

When delivering online sessions, we use zoom or Microsoft Teams. This will depend on what your company prefers.

Multiple interaction methods. We will utilise multiple interaction methods to ensure you have the option to interact the way that works for you. 

Physical accessibility for face-to-face sessions. Our sessions are generally held at our clients’ premises. Our trainers have lived experience of disability and understand that some delegates may also have lived experience. Therefore, every effort is made to ensure there is step-free access to the training building and the room where the training will be hosted in and around the building.

Breaks are embedded into every training session delivered. If the session is longer than 1.5 hours, the host will take a temperature check every now and then and if necessary, extra breaks will be added.

Please note that breaks are not scheduled during an event lasting less than 1.5 hours. If you are attending a talk and feel that a break would be useful, please contact us via the email address above.

Structure of events 

Celebrating Disability hosts two main types of events: training sessions and interactive talks. If you are not sure which type of event you are attending, please contact the named person from whom you received details of the event.

During any event, the following methods will be utilised to aid conversation and learning:

Main group discussions and using the chat function

During these discussions, you’ll be invited to turn on your microphone and speak to the main group. You will also have the option to type any comments into the chat box.

Breakout groups

These are used to enable specific conversations in small groups. You will be encouraged to enter a breakout room (either digitally or in person) for up to 15 minutes.  Information will be given ahead of time about what you will be doing and guidance will be provided about how to carry out the task. 

When utilising the Zoom platform, closed captioning does not work in breakout rooms. If you will require closed captioning within a breakout room, please alert the host by sending us an email at the address above.

Slides

We may use slides as a focus point for discussions. All slides have minimal content and any text will be communicated to the group.

The minimum font size on the slides will be 24. From time to time, in breakout rooms, we will share the slides in the room to support conversation.

Anonymous interaction

From time to time, we utilise the interactive presentation tool: Mentimeter. Mentimeter requires the use of a phone, computer, or iPad.  In instances where Mentimeter will be used, you will be provided with a URL and a short-digit code.  You will have access to the code 24 hours in advance to ensure enough time to log on and get used to the system. 

Discussion

To aid engagement and conversation, hosts and trainers will occasionally select participants or delegates by name to talk. We will give you an opportunity to consider an answer before starting this exercise. We will also provide an opt-out for anybody who would prefer not to speak.

Surveys

During events, Celebrating Disability often utilises survey tools and Mentimeter to aid interaction and to gather feedback. Unless otherwise stated, participation in these surveys and interactive tools will always remain anonymous. The following tools are often used to aid interaction, gather feedback and collect ideas.

Mentimeter.

SurveyMonkey.

Host access requirements

Often, our hosts also have their own access requirements and, therefore, struggle to make last-minute adjustments when the session has already begun. To aid us to ensure that we can provide the adjustments that you require, please let us know as soon as possible if you have any access requirements for our sessions.