T he events world has been on a DEI journey—that is, a journey to make the industry more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Multifaceted as this framework is, there have been several places event pros have sized up the industry and made changes in recent years, including racial and LGBTQIA+ equity and inclusion. Recently, there has been another sector gaining awareness: that of accessibility. In the events world, this means ensuring that events are easy to access and engage with for individuals of varying abilities. As the topic of event accessibility grows, it’s time to take inventory of your practices and make sure that you’re providing event services that are indeed accessible to all of your potential clients and guests. The need for easy access There are plenty of reasons to make your events accessible, the least of which is legality (more on that in a bit). According to the World Health Organization, 16% of people worldwide have a disability. Across the EU, the average is higher at 24%; in the UK, it’s almost 22% of the population (or 14.1 million people). The CDC reports that 28.7% (more than one in four) Americans have a disability. This means that statistically, at the very least, 16% of your event attendees have some type of disability. “If your events aren’t welcoming and accessible for everyone, you’re likely missing out on the opportunity to reach a much wider audience,” states an article from Cvent. Besides increasing engagement, creating accessible events is the right thing to do—it makes the world more enjoyable for all. Accessibility is also required by law. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 protects people with disabilities from discrimination. And in the UK, “disability is one of nine ‘protected characteristics’ defined by the 2010 Equality Act— making it illegal for any business to discriminate against persons with disabilities,” says the Cvent article. So, are your events accessible to all? Here’s how to check.
American Sign Language interpreter Justina Miles went viral for her performance alongside Rihanna during Super Bowl 2023, providing an expressive and passionate interpretation. Shown here: Miles performs “Lift Every Voice and Sing” prior to that year’s Super Bowl. Photo courtesy Rob Carr/Getty Images
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SPECIAL EVENTS FALL 2024
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