Making Virtual Events Accessible
Providing virtual events is a great way to remove barriers to participation for many people during this pandemic and beyond. Following a few simple principles can extend your reach even further.
Select an accessible platform. Some video conferencing platforms are more accessible than others. Check the company’s commitment to accessibility by visiting their website. You might also consult with an organization that provides information about digital access or notice what platform those organizations use.
Provide a way for attendees to request accommodations. When you set up registration for your event, make sure to provide a way for people to request accommodations such as captioning, accessible materials or sign language interpreters. Make sure to also budget for accommodations so that you will be able to provide these services when requested.
Provide captions proactively. If possible, it is always better to provide captions even if you do not have a request for captions as an accommodation. Many people benefit from captions and if you plan to provide the link to the archived event, it will be accessible to anyone who accesses it later.
Provide materials to attendees in accessible digital format. Any slides or other materials that are shown on the screen during your event will not be accessible to blind attendees or others who access content using screen reader or text-to-speech technologies. Sending those materials in an accessible format before the event is a great way to ensure everyone has access to them.
Making these few changes will go a long way toward making your event more accessible.
Resource Highlight
We’re highlighting this resource again. The importanace of accessible online learning as we continue to face COVID-19 is critical. This toolkit was developed quickly to assist campuses across the country who are moving online virtually overnight in response to COVID-19. We hope this toolkit will help ensure that this rapid change to an online format does not result in lack of access for students with disabilities.
Designing an Accessible Online Course Toolkit
Upcoming Events
Free Webinar
Presented by the ADA National Network
Accessible Voting in the COVID-19 Era
Thursday, September 24, 2020
1:00 to 2:30 PM Central Time
Register for Accessible Voting >>
Free Webinar
Presented by the ADA National Network
Public Rights of Way
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
1:30 to 3:30 PM Central Time
Register for Public Rights of Way >>
Free Webinar
Presented by the ADA National Network
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (2-part session)
Tuesday and Thursday, October 6th and 8th, 2020
1:30 to 3:00 PM Central Time
Register for 2010 ADA Standards >>
Free Webinar
Presented by the ADA National Network
Self-Evaluation and Transition Plans (2-part session)
Tuesday and Thursday, October 13th and 15th, 2020
1:30 to 3:00 PM Central Time
Register for Self-Evaluation and Transition Plans >>
Free Webinar
Presented by the ADA National Network
Accommodations for Hiring and Work
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
1:00 to 2:30 PM Central Time
Register for Accommodations for Hiring and Work >>
Free Webinar
Presented by the ADA National Network
Emergency Preparedness
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
1:30 to 3:00 PM Central Time
Register for Emergency Preparedness >>
Free Webinar
Presented by the ADA National Network
How to do an Accessibility Field Review
Thursday, October 22, 2020
1:30 to 3:00 PM Central Time
Register for Accessibility Field Review >>
Free Webinar
Presented by the ADA National Network
Service and Emotional Assistance Animals
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
1:30 to 3:00 PM Central Time
Register for Service and Emotional Assistance Animals >>
Free Webinar
Presented by the ADA National Network
Reasonable Accommodations
Thursday, October 29, 2020
1:30 to 3:00 PM Central Time
Register for Reasonable Accommodations >>
Stay Connected with Us!
Enjoy getting resources on access an inclusion? Follow Partners for Inclusive Communities on Facebook and Twitter for more news and resources!
About Explore Access
exploreaccess.org is a web resource developed through a project of the Southwest ADA Center Regional Affiliate – Arkansas, a program of UA Partners for Inclusive Communities through funding from the Southwest ADA Center (90DP0092).