Increasing participation: Using the principles of universal design to create accessible conferences

Thumbnail Image
Date
2020-09-03
Authors
Irish, Julie
Major Professor
Advisor
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Authors
Person
Irish, Julie Elaine
Associate Professor
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Organizational Unit
Interior Design
Interior design is an ideal academic home for energetic and inquisitive students seeking a meaningful, varied and creative profession. For each new problem encountered, interior designers use a variety of methods to investigate and analyze user needs and alternatives for satisfying them. Armed with this insight, they enhance interior spaces to maximize occupant quality of life, increase productivity, and protect public health, safety and welfare. The interior designer's ultimate goal is to transform generic, impersonal rooms and areas into unique, expressive spaces that provide the greatest possible "fit" with the values, personalities, roles and potential of their occupants. The Department of Interior Design was established in 2012. Previously, the Interior Design Program was in the Department of Art and Design.
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Department
Interior Design
Abstract

The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) mandates the inclusion of individuals with disabilities to a broad range of facilities and public buildings. One overlooked area is access to conferences. Conferences are held in a range of buildings, including purpose-built venues, hotels, and stadia. Often, the focus is on access for people with mobility limitations, but access for people with other disabilities, such as vision or hearing loss, or mental ill-health, can be overlooked. This is a significant oversight since around 19% of the population experience a disability (Brault, 2012): it makes sound business sense, as well as a sense of social justice, to ensure more people can access conferences. This article uses a literature review methodology to highlight key considerations to make conferences more accessible to a broad range of people with disabilities. A theoretical framework of Universal Design is proposed to support the ideas. A holistic approach is taken to inclusion, including online booking, transport, and parking, since, without these being accessible, the event becomes inaccessible. Other aspects considered include registration, seating, restrooms, catering, and communication aids. Creating accessible conferences can help promote equity and inclusion and bring people with diverse perspectives together to enrich a conference.

Comments

This accepted article is published as Irish, J. E. N. Increasing participation: Using the principles of universal design to create accessible conferences. Journal of Convention & Event Tourism Sept 2020, 21(4: Special Issue on Creating Meetings and Events that are Diverse, Inclusive, and Accessible ; Guest Editor: Dr. Eric D. Olson);308-330. Doi: 10.1080/15470148.2020.1814469. Posted with permission.

Description
Keywords
Citation
DOI
Copyright
Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2020
Collections