As a former educator of children with disabilities, I’ve developed a keen sensitivity to making sure that persons living with various barriers are always considered first and properly accommodated. 61 million American adults live with a disability. Therefore, it’s extremely likely that you'll have guests that may not be as atypical as they appear.
The word “Disability” is shrouded in myths. Some think that you have to look, move, or speak a certain way to be classified as disabled. However, the reality is much different. When planning a wedding or event there are considerations surrounding accessibility that should be upheld. Three key accessibility considerations to make are environment, communication, and awareness.
Environment
When planning an inclusive event you should start with ensuring your venues ADA compliance. These considerations often include wheelchairs, entryway ramps, lifts, grab bars, door widening, hearing aids, and braille signs to name a few. Knowing your guests' potential barriers will prevent you from having to be reactive on the day of your event and the experience of every guest will be considered.
Communication
Expressing the need for accommodations isn’t always as easy as one may think. Get ahead of this and consider language in your communication that encourages them to communicate their needs for reasonable accommodations. This also gives you time to provide the accommodation to ensure full meaningful participation.
Awareness
“Access is not only about buildings. A truly accessible environment is one in which a person with a disability can freely express their independence and one in which any impediment to integration is removed. It involves the 'seamless' blending of numerous key components.” – 1998 Olympic Co-ordination Authority
There's no universal solution for accessibility. Make yourself aware and be sure that your vendor team is aware of factors such as person-first language. For example, referring to a person as “a wheelchair person” instead of “a person in a wheelchair.” Also, because of the broadness of the word disability, never make the assumption that a person who's not visibly impaired needs to provide proof of their disability. Managing overall awareness for your event will not only enhance your guest experience but also encourage others to make these considerations at future events.
Hero photo courtesy: 2 Brides
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