Accessibility in Events: How to Promote a Unique Experience for Everyone!

Accessibility in events plays a crucial role in providing a positive and inclusive experience for visitors with disabilities. National Accessibility Day, celebrated on December 5th, aims to raise awareness and promote the construction of an equal and supportive society that provides equal opportunities for all. In this article, we will explore the concept of accessibility, highlight its importance in events, and provide tips for implementing it effectively.

What is Accessibility?

Accessibility, according to the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT), refers to the ability and condition to reach, perceive, and understand the use of buildings, spaces, furniture, public roads, general equipment, and safe and autonomous transportation. Law No. 10,098 / 2000 establishes the need to remove architectural, communicational, methodological, and instrumental barriers to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities or reduced mobility. Brazil has approximately 45.6 million people with disabilities, representing 23.9% of the population aged 2 and above, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Therefore, ensuring accessibility in events is essential to provide proper assistance to all these individuals.

The Importance of Accessibility in Events

Accessibility in events plays a fundamental role as it aims to include people with disabilities in any environment, including the production of the event itself. This demonstrates empathy and concern for the well-being of others, allowing everyone to have the opportunity to participate in events or explore new spaces with appropriate infrastructure, ensuring safety and comfort. An organizer of inclusive events gains credibility and recognition, which can be a differentiating factor in being requested by companies and partners in the production of future events with accessibility.

How to Implement Accessibility in Events

Now that we understand the importance of accessibility in events, let's provide some tips for implementing it effectively. It is essential to follow all accessibility rules, not only to comply with legislation but also to provide an even more satisfying experience for participants.

Know Your Audience

First and foremost, it is essential to know the audience that will be present at the event. Therefore, it is necessary to include the option to inform if the visitor has any disabilities and what they are in the registration. This allows you to prepare the environments properly and understand the correct ways to communicate with this audience.

Choose a Spacious Venue

The first step in implementing accessibility in events is to choose a spacious venue. Before deciding on the event location, conduct a technical visit considering important points such as seat spacing, wide corridors, space for guide dogs, among others.

Ensure the Venue Has Ramps and Handrails

Having a spacious venue is of no use if there are no ramps and handrails. These features are essential to ensure the safety of visitors, especially those with reduced mobility or who use wheelchairs. Make sure the venue has proper access ramps and handrails to facilitate the movement of all participants.

Don't Forget About Signage

Signage is extremely important for guiding participants, especially those with hearing disabilities. Use signage that indicates the correct locations, such as appropriate seating and the location of adapted restrooms. Additionally, it is crucial to identify the area reserved for people with disabilities or reduced mobility, using the international symbol of accessibility.

Provide Disabled Parking Spaces

Reserving exclusive parking spaces for people with disabilities is essential. According to the law, 5% of the parking spaces should be reserved for this audience and should be located as close as possible to the event entrance. These spaces should be identified with the international symbol of accessibility for easy identification.

Ensure Adapted Restrooms

To ensure accessibility, it is crucial that restrooms are adapted for people with disabilities. According to the legislation, 5% of the total number of restrooms should be adapted. If it is necessary to build adapted restrooms, make sure they comply with the NBR - 9050 standards.

Consider Accessibility in Online Events

It is important to remember that accessibility should also be considered in online events or courses. Use captions in the livestream, hire a sign language interpreter, and provide spoken visual descriptions to make your production accessible to everyone.

Conclusion

Accessibility in events is crucial to ensure that all people have the same opportunity to participate and enjoy an inclusive and satisfying experience. By implementing accessibility, producers demonstrate empathy and concern for the audience, gaining credibility and recognition. By following the tips presented in this article, it is possible to organize accessible events and contribute to the construction of a more inclusive and supportive society.