When you plan your next gathering, follow this checklist to ensure all guests feel welcome and can participate.

• The event location has no curbs, steps, rough terrain, or narrow passages that cannot be traversed by persons using a mobility aid, such as a walker, cane, scooter, wheelchair, or service dog.
• In choosing the event site, we have considered potential barriers for our guests such as lighting, sound, and chemical sensitivity.
• The event budget allows for accommodation costs for guests who need special foods, large print handouts, Braille transcription, or a sign language interpreter.
• The event schedule is flexible to provide for guests who need more time moving about or need frequent breaks.
• The event publicity explicitly welcomes everyone with a statement such as: “In order to provide for any needs, such as wheelchair seating, assistive listening equipment, sign language interpreter, or large print/Braille materials, please contact     at least 10 days before the event.”
• Registration for this event is available in a variety of ways such as phone, fax, email and online options.
• The event presenter(s) has been asked about accommodations needed and we have arranged to provide them. 
• Each person who requests accommodations will be asked to specify what they need. We won’t assume a person who is blind can read Braille or a Deaf person can lip read.
• Program presenters will be informed in advance of any needs of any participants. For example: an interpreter or note taker will be present; visual presentations need to be orally described for blind attendees; wear this microphone that is connected to an assistive listening system.
• Support persons such as interpreters and personal assistants are included in the headcount for seating and refreshments.
• Name tags are printed in bold type, size 18 font.
• We’re prepared to problem solve last-minute glitches like, “Where can my guide dog go to the bathroom?” or “Where can I charge my wheelchair battery?”

Thank you to Marsha Rivas, Equal Access Ministries, Diocese of Toledo, for sharing!

The downloadable PDF is bilingual, English and Spanish!