BRIEF GUIDES: DO‘s & DON’Ts

“Do’s” and “Don’ts” for making events physically accessible.

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Mobility
Wheelchair Accessibility
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Blind and Low Vision
Miscellaneous

Mobility Do‘s and Don’ts

Do’s

  • Do check for accessible parking options
  • Do identify flat, unobstructed, simple, short pathways (without stairs, incline
  • Do identify drop-off zones for ride-share programs and bus stops
  • Do check that all accessible signs are clearly visible
  • Do check for semi-ambulatory bathroom stalls
  • Do check for elevators and incorporate them in your accessible route (and back-up elevators)
  • Do plan for shelter options for disabled persons that are temperature regulated (50-80 degrees F). This is especially important for outside events.
  • Do identify accessible water fountains and, if possible, set up a hydration station
  • Do set aside seating or participation locations for disabled guests
  • Always provide seating for those who need to rest; this is especially important in “mingling” events
  • Do always consider common allergens and alternative food options (if applicable)
  • Do have a volunteer ask disabled persons (and anyone who looks like they’re struggling with carrying food) if they would like assistance in carrying and/or serving food and drink.

Note: Do always ask the individual what accommodations best suits their needs.

Don’ts

  • Don’t include stairs or inclines in your route (if possible)
  • Don’t include heavy doors in your pathway (if possible, prop open if otherwise)
  • Don’t plan an event around standing (if possible)
  • Don’t use “standing-based” furniture (ie. Bar tables with no seats). Standing furniture isolates wheelchair users and those whose medical conditions cause them to need to sit.
  • Don’t put materials up high or in difficult places to obtain (ie. High shelves, difficult crevices, etc).

Wheelchair Accessibility Do‘s and Don’ts

Do’s

  • Do check for VAN accessible parking options AND back up options
  • Do note where curb cuts are and plan a wheelchair accessible path
  • Do check that all accessible signs are clearly visible from a wheelchair vantage point (Eye level is 43 – 51 inches (1090 – 1295 mm))
  • Do check that doorways are wheelchair accessible (ie. 32-inch width)
  • Do check for wheelchair accessible bathroom stalls and companion bathrooms
  • Do check for elevators and incorporate them in your accessible route (and back-up elevators)
  • Do plan for shelter options for disabled persons that are temperature regulated (50-80 degrees F). This is especially important for outside events and for wheelchair users during harsher weather conditions.
  • Do identify accessible water fountains and, if possible, set up a hydration station (beverage table or distribution at the event).
  • Do set aside seating or participation locations for any disabled guests
  • Do set aside seating or participation locations specifically for wheelchair-using guests
  • Do have a volunteer ask disabled persons (and anyone who looks like they’re struggling with carrying food) if they would like assistance in carrying and/or serving food and drink

Note: Do always ask the individual what accommodations best suits their needs.

Don’ts

  • Don’t allow any signage or obstacles block access aisles and pathways
  • Don’t have your accessible pathways go over gravel, grass or other loose ground (if possible)
  • Don’t include heavy doors in your pathway; automatic doors are preferable (if possible, prop open if otherwise)
  • Don’t assume that an accessible symbol on a bathroom door implies wheelchair accessibility
  • Don’t assume all wheelchair users can use an accessible stall instead of a companion bathroom
  • Don’t put wheelchair seating in the back and don’t assume only one seat needs to be removed for a wheelchair (it may need multiple seats removed)
  • Don’t seat the wheelchair user isolated from other guests; also keep in mind that they may have able-bodied or disabled companions with them
  • Don’t use only “standing-based” furniture (ie. Bar tables with no seats)
  • Don’t use furniture that would prevent a wheelchair from being included (ie. Tables with cross-bar supports, unmovable chairs, table legs not far apart enough, table too low, etc)
  • Don’t put materials up high or in difficult places to obtain (ie. High shelves, difficult crevices, etc)
  • Don’t block elevator buttons with signs, trash cans or other obstacles that would make them difficult to access for someone in a wheelchair and/or limited upper body mobility
  • Don’t set furniture so close together that wheelchairs cannot pass by when the chairs are in use

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Do‘s and Don’ts

Do’s

  • Do ensure a Deaf person has a seat with an unobstructed view
  • Do have an American Sign Language interpreter for live events (if possible)
  • Do have prewritten and double-checked captions (ie. written copies of any speeches or presentations, checking movies for subtitles for the hard of hearing, etc.)
  • Do have a lot of helpful visuals present (if applicable)
  • Do rent an UbiDuo from CAE to help accommodate a Deaf or hard of hearing guest

Note: Do always ask the individual what accommodations best suits their needs.

Note:  The Deaf world is an ethnic group; they are lumped into the categorization of physical disability solely because of the structure of this document.  Please be aware of this distinction.

Don’ts

  • Don’t use auto-captioning software (especially YouTube)
  • Don’t use speech-recognition software

Blind and Low Vision Do‘s and Don’ts

Do’s

  • Do identify pathways without obstacles to and within your venue
  • Do have written (Braille or digitally accessible)  or audio descriptions of content
  • Do have easily locatable entrances
  • Do have pre-written directions from the parking lot and the closest drop-off zone to your venue sent out and/or posted before your event.
  • Do have a volunteer guide those in need from parking and drop-off locations to the venue.
  • Do have a person who is blind or low vision seated where they can clearly hear the event.
  • Do have audio and/or Braille formats of materials.  For persons with low vision, have larger print, clear fonts, bold type and large contrast between ink and paper colors.

Note: Do always ask the individual what accommodations best suits their needs.

Don’ts

  • Don’t, if possible, have a complex route to your venue.
  • Don’t solely rely on visual signage to give instructions and directions to your venue.

Miscellaneous Accessibility Do‘s and Don’ts

Do’s

  • Do always consider common allergens and alternative food options (if applicable)
  • Do inform disabled persons that their requests for accommodations are welcome
  • Do set up an RSVP questionnaire to allow people to request accommodations.

Note: Do always ask the individual what accommodations best suits their needs.

Don’ts

  • Don’t tell a disabled person what they should or should not be capable of
  • Don’t dismiss a request before thorough consideration and reaching out to campus resources