4 Best Practices to Inclusive Meeting Design
Inclusive meeting design is intentional and based on the assumption that all people, regardless of their abilities, disabilities or health care needs, have the right to be respected and appreciated as valuable members of their communities.
Below are four sample items from our checklist to help ensure your event is on the path to becoming a welcome, supportive environment.
1. When choosing your event date, identify potential conflicts with civic and religious holidays or other major community events.
2. When marketing the event, include a statement that describes whether the meeting is accessible, noting any exceptions and identifying any barriers that cannot be eliminated.
3. Don’t corral or single out people with special requests. Allow people to sit where they sit. Request that any special meals be served simultaneously with the regular meals or, if that is not possible, ask for those guests to be served first (not last).
4. Train your staff to make eye contact when greeting participants. It’s not just polite; it’s helpful for individuals who have difficulty hearing.
Want more actionable efforts that can be implemented to make all feel welcome? Download the full checklist that was developed to raise awareness about how to create an inclusive event.
