Accessibility at Events

In this article, we’ll discuss the accessibility of events in Arnhem. It’s important that an event be accessible to people with physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory disabilities. They are an important target audience for organizers and have every right to attend an event (in a safe and enjoyable way). These individuals sometimes need a little more assistance, or special accommodations must be made for them. Not all organizers have the necessary knowledge to handle this effectively. As a result, it is sometimes assumed that it is very difficult or that it takes a lot of time and/or money. However, that doesn’t have to be the case at all. In Arnhem, various organizers, the City of Arnhem, and experts with firsthand experience are working together to develop practical and effective solutions to dispel these misconceptions. For example, a checklist has been created that contains a wealth of information for organizers. In addition, we’ve dedicated separate articles on this website to making your program accessible, ensuring physical accessibility at events and in existing venues, and improving the accessibility of digital communication tools.

Definition of Accessibility

In Arnhem, work is carried out in accordance with the Arnhem Accessibility Standard. This standard follows the definition provided in the Accessibility Handbook, which is based on the principle of independence: “Accessibility of the built environment is the characteristic of outdoor spaces, buildings, and homes that enables people to do what they are expected to be able to do there, in accordance with the intended use.”

What Is Meant by Event Accessibility

An event is accessible when people with and without disabilities can make the same choices about whether or not to attend it. Accessibility, therefore, goes beyond simply being able to get there; it’s also about being able to experience the event. In Arnhem, several categories related to accessibility are now used as a starting point:

• Marketing and communications;
• Accessibility;
• Event accessibility;
• Usability of the facilities;
• Program accessibility;
• Hospitality, or the training of employees and vendors at an event.

Accessibility Checklist for Events in Arnhem in 2020

A very useful checklist has been created for event organizers that provides a comprehensive overview of accessibility. The categories mentioned above serve as the basis for this checklist. The checklist includes an explanatory note that refers to specific appendices. You can find all of this in a single document available for download on this website.

Arnhem Platform for People with Chronic Illnesses and Disabilities (Apcg)

The checklist was developed with the assistance of, among others, the Arnhem Platform for the Chronically Ill and Disabled (Apcg). This organization provided input on the document from the perspective of people with lived experience. The Apcg advocates for the collective interests of people with disabilities: those with physical, sensory, and (mild) intellectual disabilities, people with chronic illnesses, and people with mental health vulnerabilities. In this capacity, the organization consults with the municipality, neighborhood teams, and business owners, as well as with event organizers and suppliers, among others, in the context of events.

Disclaimer

For this article, we received input from the City of Arnhem, the Arnhem Platform for People with Chronic Illnesses and Disabilities (Apcg), and a number of event organizers in Arnhem. The checklist is available for download elsewhere on this website.

If, from your expertise, you yourself have knowledge that would fit this topic, or if you see opportunities to improve this text, we look forward to receiving your message at info@cultuuracademy.nl.