How accessible is your event?

When people talk about events being accessible, the definition is often confined to mobility. Of course every event should aim to be accessible for those with limited mobility but have you considered how easy it is for all your guests to access your event?

While relevant ramp and lift access is a key point when selecting the right venue, regardless of your audience, there are other factors that make an event accessible. 
​One of those factors is hearing. How many of your events are accessible for those with deafness or a hearing loss?

Currently 1 in 6 Australians have a hearing loss. By 2050, that number will increase to 1 in 4. This is a huge section of the population that is rarely considered in the event planning process. 

So what can events do to ensure they are accessible to the hearing loss community?

Here are a few pointers:

• engage an Auslan interpreter
• ensure the venue has a hearing loop (remember not all those with hearing loss use or are fluent in Auslan)
• ensure good quality audio system
• select a venue with good acoustics. Eg. soft furnishings that absorb the loud background noise
• provide live captioning, either online or via AV screens
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Identifying ramp access or hearing loops shouldn’t be limited to events in the disability or aged care sector either. The whole community needs to be considered when making your event accessible.

Author

Georgie Stayches is Founder and Managing Director of Fetching Events & Communications, a boutique agency specialising in event management, communications and volunteer management.