Making Your Event Accessible

“Accessible” means a person with a disability is afforded the opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as a person without a disability in an equally effective and equally integrated manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use. The person with a disability must be able to obtain the information as fully, equally and independently as a person without a disability. 
- Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education 

Best Practices for Campus Events

If you are hosting an event on campus or distributing materials, please follow best practices for accessibility. Events should be accessible for attendees with vision, hearing, mobility, and other limitations. Some best practices include:

• Be proactive about asking attendees/audience if they need an accommodation. If the event is public and an accommodation is requested, please contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office. 
• Ensure registration and conference software and apps are accessible. (See UND's Digital Accessibility Policy for more information about accessibility requirements for software and app purchases.)
• Ensure electronic documents, media, event webpages, and other digital content are accessible. 
• Provide captioning and/or American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services. Captioning provides broader access as many people with hearing loss do not use ASL. ASL interpreters MUST be certified to provide services.
• Host the event in an accessible location. 
  • Campus Map, indicating accessible entrances
  • Parking Map, indicating accessible parking
  • Accessible Restroom Locations
  • Hearing Loop System, Memorial Union 

For more information on how to implement these best practices, please contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office or consult the resources below:

• A Planning Guide for Making Temporary Events Accessible to People with Disabilities, ADA Network 
• Accessible Meetings, Events & Conference Guide, Hospitality & Disability, an ADA National Network Initiative
• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

Captioning and ASL Interpreting Services