Accessibility and inclusion

It's a legal requirement to factor accessibility and inclusivity into your event so that everybody has equal opportunity to participate. It's also best practice. By removing barriers and designing for everyone, you reach a broader audience, increase participation and enhance the experience for everybody.

Who benefits from accessible events

Everybody benefits, plus you open your event to people who might otherwise be unable to attend, including:

• people with disability
• older people
• carers
• families with prams or small children
• people from multicultural and non-English speaking backgrounds.

City of Boroondara demographics

• Around 32.5% of residents were born overseas
• Over 28.7% speak a language other than English at home
• Around 11.4% (20,500) of residents have disability
• Around 11.8% of residents identify as LGBTQIA+.

By embedding accessibility and inclusion from the start, you create events that are compliant, safer, financially smarter, better attended and more enjoyable for the whole community.

How to plan an inclusive event

Refer to our Accessible Events and Projects Guide which offers:

• an access and inclusion checklist
• best practice advice
• contacts for local support organisations.

We recommend you include all of the elements below in your event plan.

1. Accessible parking and drop-off areas. Place ample, clearly marked parking spaces and drop-off points close to the venue. Talk to your Event Concierge for help with this.
2. Step-free, wide paths. All paths, walkways and entrances should be:
   1. free of steps or stairs
   2. wide enough for wheelchair access
   3. safe for people with mobility aids or prams.
3. Accessible toilets. Provide a suitable number of accessible toilets throughout the event site. Place clear signage to mark their location.
4. Quiet zones. Designate areas where attendees with sensory sensitivities can take a break. Make the spaces calm and quiet, with low lighting if indoors and free from loud noises or flashing lights.
5. Clear signs. Use large, legible fonts and simple language on all event signage. Include universally recognised symbols where possible and give information about accessibility features.
6. Information in advance. Share access-related details with attendees ahead of time, including venue layouts, access routes and parking availability (for example, access maps or website updates).
7. Interpretation or translation services. Offer language translation or interpretation services (for example, sign language interpreters or multilingual materials) for non-English speakers or people with hearing impairments.