Accessibility

Is the site you’ve chosen accessible to everyone, including artists, audiences, participants and volunteers who are Deaf, who have disabilities, who have small children or who are senior citizens? Have you designed the audience or participant area for all bodies/abilities? Do you have staff members or volunteers who can usher audience members to accessible seating, and ensure seating is left open and available for those who may need it? Does the space have good lighting so that people can see where they are going? Does the area have multiple exits? Will people feel safe? Are the pathways wide enough for a wheelchair? Are there accessible washrooms? Will you hire an ASL interpreter, provide live captioning, transcription, or visual interpretation? Make it clear in your promotional material what accessibility accommodations will be provided.

Accessibility is complex and multilayered. TAC and TAF subscribe to the social model of disability, which views disability as a consequence of environmental elements and social and attitudinal barriers that prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in society. The medical model of disability focuses on an individual person’s perceived physical or mental limitations.

Consider how you can be an advocate for accessibility by conducting an “access audit” of your event and your event space and creating a plan and timeline for a more accessible event. Consult with Deaf and disability organizations and consider inviting representatives as event advisors or as members of your planning committee, event team or board.