Cornell University also sorts accessibility into two broader categories: visible and non-obvious, meaning conditions you can observe, like mobility, and those you cannot, like chronic health. Once you are aware of these main types of accessibility, you can begin designing your event services with these accommodations in mind. Universal design The goal of accessibility is to design an event that everyone can participate in. This does not mean, however, designing your event around a specific community. A Special Events (SE) interview with venue sensory inclusivity nonprofit KultureCity revealed that “designing for one community will inherently alienate another.” Uma Srivastava, the COO of KultureCity, told SE , “It’s providing some other elements to the table for those with sensory needs.... design for those that are typical because we want to make sure everybody gets to enjoy it, but as you’re designing, think about your environment.” In her session Creating Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Events: More than Words at Catersource + The Special Event 2023, WSU Event Manager and CMP Angela Senter advised event pros to follow not the Golden Rule (“do unto others as you’d want
(Far left) There are a variety of needs for which your attendees may need accomodations. Photo courtesy Center for Disease Control and Prevention; (Left) At the National Federation of the Blind’s annual convention, Sodexo Live! (at the Orange County Convention Center) created custom braille menus. Photo courtesy Sodexo Live!
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SPECIAL EVENTS FALL 2024
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