Brief Guides: Do‘s & Don’ts
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.
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).
Note: Do always ask the individual what accommodations best suits their needs.
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
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
Note: Do always ask the individual what accommodations best suits their needs.
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
Don’ts
- Don’t use auto-captioning software (especially YouTube)
- Don’t use speech-recognition software
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.
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.
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.
Note: Do always ask the individual what accommodations best suits their needs.
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.
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
Note: Do always ask the individual what accommodations best suits their needs.
As a land grant institution, the Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (Los Angeles basin, So. Channel Islands).