Let’s Get Back to (Accessibility) Basics.
- Torrey Mahall -
With everything happening in our world today, in-person events have returned, with some changes. We’re hugging again, cautiously. We’re swapping out Zoom screens for filled rooms. And we’ll be the first to admit that sometimes it can feel awkward. While accommodating guests in a hybrid format is the new norm, it can be difficult to make folks in person and online all feel welcomed. But there’s another layer we’ve been paying special attention to, thanks to a community grant from The Miami Foundation. We’ve noticed over the years (and from our own mistakes) the lack of accessible and inclusive events and activities for folks living with disabilities. And we hope to rectify it, together.
The first step is knowledge. You may have attended our Basic Training: Your Organization’s Disability Accessibility and Inclusion. (Missed it? Find the slides here.) We held a Working Session on the same topic, where social impact leaders and team members brought questions, current events, or initiatives to the table to receive feedback from disability accessibility and inclusion experts. A huge thank you to returning guests Mark McGuire and Beth Wagmeister of the Workplace Accessibility Group, and Debbie Dietz of Disability Independence Group, and new guests Shelly Baer and Jairo Eloy Arana of the University of Miami Mailman Center, Rojene Russell of Arc Broward, and Katherine Magnoli of Kat Girl and Friends.
They said it best. Debbie shared in our first training:
“Imagine a way that an event was made, or an organization was run, where nobody has to ask for accommodations because there was forethought from the beginning to include everyone. And now you’ve got equality AND equity.”
We’re imagining it indeed. And we want to co-create this world with you! Together we can make Miami’s Social Impact Ecosystem more welcoming and inclusive to people of all abilities.
You're not alone in being confused, not knowing where to start, or thinking there is little you can do. We were, too, and still don’t get things perfectly right. No one does! What we hope to accomplish is offering you a starting point to learn about disability accessibility & inclusion best practices, spark a partnership with a disability advocacy organization, and break down organizational barriers to making these changes.
You may very well be asking, “So where do I start?!”
We’ve got you. Consider this your checklist of basics on how to amp up your organization’s disability accessibility & inclusion, from simplest to most advanced, thanks to what we’ve learned from our partners in impact:
Attend accessible events and trainings.
a. See an accessible event online or in your community? Spread the word! By attending an event and sharing it with your network, you are setting an example by doing. Look for these symbols:
2. Go out of your comfort zone.
a. Volunteer, get out of your ‘bubble,’ and learn from and about folks with disabilities. These Leaders and Organizations to follow on our site offer volunteer opportunities from adaptive beach days to mixed-ability dance performances. Keep an eye out for the ‘diverse abilities’ topic during the 10 Days of Connection, from May 1 - 10.
3. Tell a friend.
a. Be kindly vocal with your knowledge. When you see an event or practice that is not accessible, call it in. When you see one that is, cheer it on.
4. Captions, captions, captions!
a. Everywhere and anywhere they’re needed. Turn on auto captions in Zoom so your meetings are already transcribed for folks who need them. Caption all videos you post on social media. For a gold star, double check that they are accurate and appropriate. Auto captioning is a great tool but not 100% reliable!
5. Always remember Alt text.
a. Alternative Text, or “Alt Text," is the little AT button you see before posting a photo on social media. Use it to describe your image thoroughly, with people’s names, what they are doing, and why it matters! Remember, folks with visual or sensory impairments can really benefit your descriptions. Have fun with them and make them engaging so they can “feel” your content.
6. Check website accessibility off your list.
a. Not sure if your website is accessible to everyone? Check out this list of website accessibility plugins and tools. If you’re starting the process of revamping your website’s accessibility measures, contact local organizations who can help like Miami Lighthouse for the Blind or a certified web accessibility specialist, like Mark McGuire. Your website is your organization’s virtual ‘front door’ and we want everyone to be able to open it.
7. WebAIM is your new best friend!
a. WebAIM.org offers several accessibility checker tools for your website. Whether it’s an online course, evaluation, certification, or tool, they’ve got you covered. For example, some colors can be hard to read, especially for folks with visual impairments. To check the contrast of your materials, use their Contrast Checker.
8. Learn a few phrases in ASL.
a. TikTok is a great resource for this! Creators like Otis Jones (TikTok) or Stephanie Zornoza (Instagram) can help you sign the basics.
9. Budget for accessibility.
a. When creating your project or event budget, carve out a line item for accessibility measures. Calculating the cost up front can help prevent surprise expenses and sends a message to your team and others that you care about accessible practices. Until May 2022, our stipends can help fund this!
10. Remove the ask. (Thanks, Workplace Accessibility Group, for this tip.)
a. Current practices still encourage people to request accommodations. If you can, especially for large events, start thinking about accessibility from the beginning. This idea changes how we typically think of disability by placing the burden of responsibility on society rather than the individual. From the invitation to the venue, menu, materials, and social media, are you offering equitable access?
11. Be willing to learn.
a. Make mistakes. You can only do so by trying. We are all learning and starting somewhere, and that is okay!
We’re here to help you and push for more welcoming spaces for everyone, but we’re not the experts. You can find more about pros and organizations who are leading the movement at https://www.radical.partners/accessibility-resources.
In the spirit of inclusion and connection, stay tuned for our next blog post, all about the 10 Days of Connection. Save the date for May 1 - 10, 2022.
