Creator: Inklusion
Date Updated: September 28, 2023
Overview
The Inklusion Guide is designed to help organizers create accessible literature events for in-person, online, and hybrid settings. It contains accessibility best practices and checklists for audience members and event performers. Library staff should use this guide when planning literature events. Additionally, the practices outlined in the guide could be adapted to other types of events. The Inklusion guide is available in multiple accessible formats.
For more information, visit the Inklusion website.
Event Guide Summary
The Inklusion website discusses the development of the Inklusion guide and the people involved in its creation. The website also contains a blog with posts on related accessibility topics. The guide is divided into sections focused on audience members and presenters and on accessibility provisions for author networking events, career development events, and general events. A few key points from the sections on general events are:
- Allow event presenters to view and edit advertising for the event before publication. This can help to create an accurate and non-ableist event description.
- Ensure event advertising is accessible and formatted and provide a range of advertising materials.
- It is important to consider inclusivity broadly. “Events shouldn’t be all-male, straight, cis, white, middle class and non-disabled” (Dundas & Farrell, 2023, p. 12).
- Communication is important. Ensure your access provision is visible on your website and link to it directly when communicating with event participants. Don’t make assumptions – ask event presenters about their accessibility needs.
- Ensure there is an anonymous way for audience members and presenters to inquire about accessibility provisions.
- When communicating about accessibility provision, remember to ask only what the event participant needs, not for any details on any impairment or illness they might have.
- Make accessibility requirements a priority when considering a venue. For example, a ground-floor space with accessible washrooms on the same floor is preferable.
- By recording online events, you can allow people to watch at their own time and pace. If you record your event, remember to add captions.
Reference
Dundas, E., & Farrell, J. (2023). Inklusion guide. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/611286c25b55870b4c1e4c4d/t/640a62a95cec380f1977bc9a/1678402502760/Inklusion-Guide-20230309.pdf
Inklusion. (2023) Inklusion. https://www.inklusionguide.org/