Eventbrite is a website where organisations of all kinds can host event listings and handle bookings, ticket distribution and a range of other event-hosting information. Events on the site range from small local events run by individual and small volunteer organisations, up to pop concerts and major sporting events.
Amongst the wealth of information on their website, they have a very useful guide for event managers and venues on planning events, meetings, conferences, exhibitions & other activities in the UK that are fully inclusive and accessible.
Accessibility Guidelines For Event Organisers
We’d recommend this guide to anyone putting on event – the guide also includes a reminder that event organisers are legally obliged to make their events accessible:
Whilst there is a strong business argument for inclusiveness, it’s also important to note the prevalent legislation that all businesses have to adhere to in the United Kingdom, namely the UK Equality Act 2010.
The UK Equality Act 2010 defines disability as having a “broad meaning; it is defined as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”.
Substantial means more than minor or trivial. Impairment covers, for example, long-term medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes and fluctuating or progressive conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. A Mental impairment includes mental health conditions, learning difficulties such as dyslexia and learning disabilities such as autism, etc.
How does the equality act 2010 affect event organisers?
In short, the Act states that ‘Direct discrimination occurs where, because of disability, a person receives worse treatment than someone who does not have a disability. The Act is intended to stop people being denied a service, or receiving a worse service, because of prejudice’.
The effect is that all events, meetings, conferences, exhibitions, etc., within the UK
• must be accessible and inclusive, and
• providers should take reasonable steps to find out whether someone is disabled
