Disability Events and Public Notices
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2025/03/18
Category Topic: Events / Public Notices (Publications Database)
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Subtopics
Synopsis: Past and upcoming health and disability events calendar. Includes public notices, awareness dates, conferences, and conventions relating to disabilities. When planning events open to the public, be sure your organization's events are accessible for people with disabilities.
Introduction
Disabled World calendar of public notices, upcoming and past events, lectures, and conferences related to health and disability issues that are taking place around the world.
Focus
People with disability and organizations that represent the interests of people with disabilities are encouraged to attend these meetings and events. Those who plan to attend a venue and require accommodations should notify the event organizers as soon as possible to allow time to make any additional special arrangements. The events listed below include rehabilitation and assistive technology shows and trade fairs, information and reports on health and disability events currently in progress, as well as news relating to previous events and happenings.
Guidelines to Make An Event Accessible to Persons with Disabilities
When planning events open to the public, be sure your organization's events are accessible for people with disabilities. For example, the event may require a sign language interpreter, large print handouts, or simply making sure that the room you reserve is easily accessible.
- Assure the nearest bathrooms are unlocked.
- Accessible Parking: Is there any? Where is it? These are things you need to know, and they are things you need to let your guests know.
- Sign Language (ASL): Sign language interpreter arrangements should be made in advance.
- Elevator Access: Check that the elevators are in working order the day before and the day of the event.
- Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs): Assistive Listening Device arrangements should be made in advance.
- Seating: Determine the locations of seats free of line-sight obstruction or ambient-noise interference. Try to choose rooms with ramp platforms to most, if not all, parts of the room. Locate seats for optimal viewing and listening.
- The Podium: It is impossible to assume in advance the needs of all your participants. If the event includes members of the public as presenters or speakers, be sure to consider access to the podium and all event activities.
- Accessible transportation: Is the venue close to public transportation, and are the transit vehicles serving that route accessible? If so, your guests will need to know where the passenger drop-off areas are located.
- Alternative Print: Consider print alternatives, including handouts in large print or on discs (for persons who have requested this with notice). Please also post printed materials electronically, if possible, for reference after your event.
- Audio-Visual Equipment: Technological capabilities available include film and video open captioning, FM microphones, printed or print alternative copies of dialog and scripts of media presentations, monitors, and boards fully visible from all seats, and amplification appropriate for particular rooms.
- Clearly list contact information: Clearly list on all signs, posters, and event advertisements the contact information of the person who is responsible for accessibility issues including wheelchair accessibility, seating arrangements, audiovisual capabilities, alternative print options, podium access, sign language availability, and accessible van and elevator services as they relate to your event.
- Doors: Are automatic doors available? If not, make sure you can prop doors open, or at least make sure there will be volunteers who can help people trying to go through.
- Wheelchair Accessibility: Be aware of the physical accessibility of the building and specific rooms in which events are held, as well as the accessibility of nearby bathrooms. Note the presence/absence and locations of functioning elevators and unobstructed ramps. Also observe entrances and exits to the event, reception, and refreshment areas, as well as proximity of bathrooms to these locations. Consider also the possibility of extra-wide wheelchairs.