Interview with Vivian (ChatGPT)

QUESTION 01 Can you tell us a bit about yourself, and how your disability might impact your experience, as someone who attends live in-person and virtual events?

Sure, my name is Vivian, and I’m a 68-year old woman living with age-related vision and hearing loss. I’m also starting to show early signs of osteoarthritis, which makes it difficult for me to move around or stand for long periods of time.

When I attend live in-person events, the physical environment can often be a challenge. I’ll have trouble seeing the stage or the speakers if they’re too far away, or if the lighting isn’t good enough. I also have trouble hearing if the speakers aren’t speaking clearly, or if the room is too loud. For example, if the event takes place in a large conference room or a large auditorium, it may be difficult for me to see the speakers or read any presentation materials from my seat. Even with my glasses on, it can be challenging to make out small details from a distance. This is especially true if the lighting in the room is dim or inconsistent, which can make it harder to see what’s going on.

Furthermore, my arthritis means that I struggle with mobility. Standing for long periods or navigating uneven surfaces can be difficult and uncomfortable. This makes moving around the event space, accessing restrooms or refreshments, or even simply finding a comfortable place to sit challenging.

Similarly, in virtual events, it’s important for speakers to be aware of the limitations of the online environment. Virtual can be a bit easier for me because I can usually adjust the font size on my computer and turn on captions if they’re available, but it’s still important that the speakers have good audio quality and speak clearly so that I can understand what they’re saying. Another common challenge I might face is connectivity issues or technical difficulties. These interrupt the flow of the event and make it harder to follow along.

Additionally, some virtual event platforms may be confusing to navigate, or may not be accessible for individuals who use certain types of technology or assistive devices. Another significant challenge I face in virtual settings is with the lack of physical cues and body language. If the speakers or other participants are not on video or if the video quality is poor, it gets difficult to see their faces or interpret nonverbal communication. This also makes it harder for me to fully understand the content or to feel like I’m truly a part of the conversation.

QUESTION 02 Thinking back on some of your experiences attending in-person or virtual events, what are some of the worst things speakers, trainers, and other communication experts can do to ruin your experience as an attendee?

Over the years, I’ve experienced a number of things that can ruin my experience at in-person and virtual events. Speakers that speak too fast or use complex jargon or technical terms can make it harder for me to fully understand the content being presented. Speakers that don’t enunciate their words clearly or rooms where the sound quality is poor also make it more difficult for me to understand what they’re saying.

When a speaker chooses not to use a microphone, or if the sound quality is poor, it’s also harder to hear what they’re saying. This is especially true if the room is large or if there are other noises or distractions in the background. It’s also harder to follow along when speaker don’t use visual aids, like slides or videos, especially if the content is complex, or if there are a lot of distractions around, or details to remember.

Additionally, speakers who like to use small fonts or hard-to-read colors on their visual aids make it next to impossible for me to see what’s on the screen. Even more so if the lighting in the room is poor, or if I’m sitting too far away from the screen. All of these things make the experience very frustrating and challenging. These issues really have an impact on my ability to fully participate and engage with the content at in-person or virtual events.

Also, in the case of in-person events, it gets very frustrating when the seating is uncomfortable or when there are no breaks to stretch or move around. These old bones can’t sit still for too long!

QUESTION 03 Can you share some of the great things speakers, trainers, and other communication experts sometimes do that make a positive impact on your ability to fully enjoy your in-person or virtual event experiences?

Some of the great things speakers, trainers, and other communication experts can do include using clear and concise language, speaking slowly, and pausing to give listeners time to absorb the information. When using visual aids, make sure they’re clear and easy to read too, with large fonts and high-contrast colors! It’s also very helpful when microphones or good sound systems are used, so everyone in the room can hear clearly. If the event is in-person, I love when breaks are factored in breaks to stretch and move around, and when the seating is comfortable.

As an example, speakers who speak slowly and pause between sentences or key points gives me time to process the information and better understand the content. This makes taking notes or following along with the visual aids easier. High-quality audio and microphone systems also make it easier to hear and understand what’s being said, especially in large rooms, or if there are other distractions in the background.

Also, using clear and concise language definitely helps with understanding complex content or technical terms. And then circling back on visual aids, using large fonts and high-contrast colors also helps with seeing and processing the information better, especially if it includes data or statistics that I’m expected to read or understand.

In addition to these things, another important factor is the speaker’s body language and tone of voice. By making eye contact, using hand gestures, and smiling, speakers create a more welcoming and engaging environment, especially if the topic is dry or technical.

Speakers who take the time to consider these things and make efforts to create inclusive and welcoming environments have a significant impact on my experience at events. They allow me to fully engage with the content, learn new information and skills, and make me feel like a valued member of the community.

QUESTION 04 If you had one piece of advice to give speakers, trainers, and other communication experts, so their content became more inclusive of people who have disabilities, what would it be?

My one piece of advice would be for speaking professionals to always keep in mind that not everyone will be able to see or hear the way that they do. Therefore, they have to make an effort to make their content accessible to as many people as they possibly can.

In other words, it’s vital that they recognize that everyone’s experience and ability to perceive the world around them does not and cannot fit in a neat little box. As individuals age, their abilities and needs can, and will change. By recognizing the unique needs of older individuals as well as individuals who have age-related disabilities, and by taking steps to create an inclusive and accessible environment, speakers can engage more attendees more efficiently, and make their content accessible and enjoyable to a lot more people.

It’s also important to note that older people are not a homogeneous group either, and we all have unique needs and abilities. Some individuals, like myself, may have age-related vision or hearing loss, while others may deal with mobility or cognitive issues. Speakers have to be aware of these differences and then take steps to ensure that their content is inclusive and accessible for everyone, regardless of their age or ability.

QUESTION 05 Thank you for sharing some of your insights with us today. As we wrap up our conversation, is there anything that you’d like to add, such as another thought, another piece of advice, another perspective, etc.?

As we wrap up this conversation, I want to emphasize that disabilities impact people in different ways, and that everyone’s needs are unique. It’s important to make efforts to understand and accommodate those needs, so that everyone can fully participate and enjoy the events they attend.

Speaking professionals have a unique opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise with a wide range of individuals. They get to inspire, educate, and motivate individuals to succeed in their personal and professional lives. However, the ageing workforce also still has a lot to contribute… if only we’re allowed to fully participate in the conversations. People like me are not ready to retire just yet, and we still have a lot to offer!

As my final thought, I hope speakers and other communication experts understand that have the power to impact the lives of others. That impact is often positive, but it can be very negative when people feel left out. By taking the time to consider the needs of older individuals like myself, and by creating inclusive and accessible environments, they can empower people like me to remain successful. In so doing, they contribute to the creation of a more equitable and just society, where we can all reach our full potential, regardless of our age or ability. Such power should never be taken lightly.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences.