Championing inclusion: celebrating #GAAD in the event industry
Imagine an exciting event that you’ve spent months putting your heart and soul into planning. The morning of the event finally arrives. Every seat is filled. The stage is set. The speakers are ready. The energy is clearly palpable. Everyone’s excited and on fire! But what if, despite all of your best efforts, a large portion of your audience was still condemned to fail at fully engaging in your event? That would be quite sobering, right?
As speaking professionals and event planners who also care to step up as champions of inclusivity and diversity, we have a shared responsibility to ensure that our events and presentations are accessible to all attendees. This is where Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) comes in.
Happening annually on the third Thursday of May (today), GAAD is a much-needed beacon of light on the digital landscape. Initiated in 2012 by two forward-thinkers, Joe Devon, a web developer, and Jennison Asuncion, an accessibility professional, both men saw an obvious need for more, deeper conversations about digital accessibility and inclusion for people living with disabilities. Today, GAAD’s mission remains more relevant than ever, as we increasingly rely on digital technologies in our everyday lives. And so, we keep celebrating that important day.
By now, you might be asking yourself, “And why exactly should I care?” Fair question! The answer is simple, yet profound: as professionals in our space, we have to embrace every opportunity to make our events more inclusive. Inclusivity not only aligns with our moral obligation towards equality, but it also expands our audience reach. It enhances our brand reputation. And it can drive greater engagement at our events.
So, in today’s post, as we celebrate GAAD, let’s dive into practical ways we can all champion for more accessibility. Here are three simple, yet very impactful tips that speaking professionals and event planners like yourselves can leverage to improve disability inclusion in your events.
Tips to become a more inclusive speaking professional
01. Speak the language of clarity: While speaking, ensure that your language remains simple and easy to understand. Keep it straightforward and jargon-free. Avoid complex language that might be difficult to follow for some of your audience members. It’s not just those with cognitive disabilities who will thank you. After all, everyone appreciates clear communication.
02. Text transcripts are everyone’s friends: Offering a text transcript of your speech is a small, yet powerful gesture with significant impact that’s incredibly beneficial for those who are hard of hearing, or for whom English may not be their first language. Some people also simply prefer reading over listening. With transcripts, you’re offering these folks an option that’s better suited to their needs and preferences.
03. Paint pictures with your words: When using visual content, make sure to describe it for those who might not be able to see it. Think of it as describing those visuals as if you were a guest on a podcast, or on a radio show. Such a practice allows everyone in your audience to follow along with your presentation. Also, you’ll be surprised how vivid descriptions can make your presentation more engaging for everyone!
Tips to become a more inclusive event planner
01. Bridge the gap with sign language and captioning: Live captioning or sign language interpreters are game-changers, not only for attendees who are deaf or hard of hearing, but for anyone who doesn’t natively speak the language! Such accommodations make an incredible difference in some of your audience’s ability to fully engage, but they speak volumes about the values that you uphold as speaking or events professionals.
02. Digital spaces need ramps too: All digital platforms associated with your event have to be accessible to people who have disabilities. Period. This includes websites, mobile apps, online registration forms, etc. Think of it as building access ramps into all of your digital spaces. Ensure all digital properties comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards, and are fully compatible with assistive technologies used by individuals who have disabilities.
03. Create an inclusive physical environment: If you organize an in-person event, consider every aspect of the attendee journey. Ensure that the venue is wheelchair accessible. Make sure the lighting is adequate. Confirm that pathways remain clear and easy to navigate. Offer seating close to the stage for those with visual or hearing impairments. These adjustments aren’t complicated, but they make a world of difference!
Now, let’s be real
As you can imagine, these tips are just the tip of the inclusive speaking iceberg. These suggestions are far from exhaustive, and are simply meant to nudge you into thinking more about disability inclusion. Who knows, they might even inspire you to dig deeper, and learn more! Let them serve as a starting point to inspire you to think more deeply about accessibility and inclusion. The meeting industry needs your help!
As we celebrate GAAD, I call upon you to commit to greater disability inclusion in your future events, as well as to a future where every event is truly accessible to all. I’ll even challenge you to consider how your own events can be more accessible. Commit to learning a bit more about digital accessibility standards every chance you get. If need be, give some thought as to how to involve experts who can help you make your event truly inclusive. By doing so, you won’t just “accommodate” people with disabilities; you’ll be recognizing and honouring the wonderful diversity of human experiences and abilities.
So, today, on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, let’s take one giant leap towards making our events more accessible and inclusive. Recognize that every person has the right to participate. To learn. To engage. To laugh. To connect. To be moved by the amazing work we all do.
In essence, let’s celebrate GAAD, not just today, but every day! Let’s celebrate by committing to a future where every event is an open and welcoming space for all. Let’s celebrate by making that first commitment, however small it might be. And then, let’s commit to build from there. Together, let’s shape a world that is truly inclusive and accessible. On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, let’s all commit to a future where every voice is heard, and every person is seen.
About Denis Boudreau
Denis Boudreau is a consultant, trainer, coach, and speaker specializing in inclusive leadership and inclusive communication. He works with leaders and executives who are no longer willing to overlook disability inclusion and want to transform their leadership approach from “inclusive-ish” to truly inclusive by championing accessibility. A Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA), Denis has trained thousands of professionals over the past two decades and has delivered hundreds of workshops worldwide in both English and French. He has helped leading brands like Netflix, Salesforce, Victoria’s Secret, and many more embed disability inclusion into their business strategies, empowering them to break down barriers and create deeper, more meaningful connections with their target audiences while also meeting legal obligations.