When you’re planning your corporate events, it’s so important to think about making them as accessible and inclusive as possible. If you’re going to be hosting an event, you want all of your guests to have a great time and walk away feeling as if they’ve really learned something. In order to do this, finding an accessible venue or ensuring that you put the tools in place so everyone can get the most out of the day should be a top priority. We’ve put together some tips and tricks to make your conference more accessible and inclusive.
How to Make Your Conference More Accessible and Inclusive
Find a Venue That Works For You
The easiest way to ensure your conference is accessible and inclusive is to find a venue that is set up the right way. Some venues offer the bare minimum for accessibility (venues must be compliant with the Equality Act 2010), while others are definitely set up better. For the bare minimum, you’ll want an accessible entrance, toilets, and lifts in the venue. If you’re looking for more than that, you should find a venue that allows service animals, offers audio assistance, and is laid out so that the entire building is accessible. This is especially important for larger conferences. You don’t want a venue where only part of it is accessible. If you’re going to be using breakout rooms, those need to be accessible as well.
Things You Should Look For When it Comes to Accessibility and Inclusion
If you’re wondering what to actually keep an eye out for when you’re looking for a conference venue, we’ve listed a few things below that make it accessible:
- Proximity to an accessible/step-free station
- Accessible main entrance
- Accessible toilets on multiple floors
- Permanent induction hearing loops or portable loops throughout the building
- Wide internal corridors
- Assistance dogs allowed
- Portable ramps available if needed
- Any written information or signage written in large print/braille
- Lowered reception desks
- All floors accessible via lifts
- Disabled parking spots if parking is offered
Determine The Things You Absolutely Need
Now that you know what to look for, the best thing to do is figure out what your dealbreakers are. You may not find a venue that offers everything you need once you figure out your capacities, budget, and location. However, most venues will at least have an accessible entrance, toilets, and lifts. We do see more and more venues these days going above and beyond to ensure their meeting rooms and conference spaces are accessible and inclusive for everyone. As long as you mention these needs to your venue contact at the beginning of your conversation, you’ll be in good hands.
If you need help finding an accessible conference venue in London or across the UK, please get in touch with us! VenueScanner is here to help you find the best conference spaces in Birmingham, London, or anywhere in between. We can help you narrow down your choices, send enquiries, and more. Fill out our Venue Finder form to get started.
