Summary
Meetings and events bring people together. Whether your event is online or face-to-face, a little preparation helps to enable equitable access to materials and opportunities to engage for everyone who attends.
Learn about Your Audience
Invite Requests for Accommodations
In your event invitation, include this language "To make disability-related accommodations or dietary requests contact [event coordinator]." Provide an email address for the person responsible for coordinating requests for accommodation.
Use Accessible Registration Tools
Use Google Forms to accessibly register participants. If you choose other tools, such as Qualtrics, you will need to follow their best practices for accessible forms.
Collect Accommodations Requests with Enough Advance Notice to Coordinate Services
Your accommodations provider will require advance notice to fulfill requests. Contact your local Disability Resource Center to learn about available accommodations services.
Include an Opportunity to Indicate Pronouns and Preferred Names
If you intend to collect participant names that will be shared (e.g., on a nametag, name tent or online) make sure your registration form requests an opportunity to indicate pronouns and preferred names.
- Note that the University of Minnesota Regents policy on Equity, Diversity, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action states that where a University member has indicated a specified name, units should maintain the privacy of the University member's legal name whenever possible.
Deliver a More Accessible Presentation
You've created an accessible presentation, now use these tips to create a more inclusive experience while you deliver your presentation.
Speak Slowly and Clearly
Speaking slowly and with clear diction helps people comprehend your message. In addition, if you use automated captioning, such as the function available in Google Slides, speaking slowly and clearly with help make your captions more accurate.
Provide Verbal and Alt-Text Descriptions of your Images
Wherever you include meaningful images in your presentation, take time to describe them. You included the images for a reason, provide that context for people in your audience who are blind, have low vision, or for other reason can't view your images.