The experience of group members is more likely to be maximised if they feel at ease, included and safe. Making sure your meeting place is accessible and comfortable for all members is very important.
Things to consider when choosing an accessible meeting place
- It is wise to choose a venue with as many accessibility features as possible at the planning phase to avoid potential problems in the future.
- Knowing who your members are and what individual needs they may have is useful, however as the group evolves and different members attend you may find your meeting place is no longer suitable for everyone and need to go through the process of finding another space.
- Consider a venue that is easy to get to via public transport and also has ample parking with disability bays. It needs to have good signage and be well lit.
- Consider suitable acoustics while excluding unwanted noise which may be overwhelming.
- Include accessible toilet facilities.
- Ideally your meeting would take place on one floor only (preferably the ground floor). While lifts are invaluable for providing access for people with mobility difficulties, it is important to remember that in the event of an emergency they may not be useable or if needed by multiple people may prove inefficient for speedy evacuation.
- Ensure emergency procedures are in place. Think about how to best to assist people with a disability in the event of an emergency and to ensure all exits and assembly points are accessible.
When making initial contact with the venue ask questions before going to view it.
- What features are accessible?
- Do you have… a ramp, accessible bathroom/toilet, air-conditioning, disabled parking or steps?
- How old is the building? Younger buildings have had to meet more stringent guidelines at construction phase. The older buildings may or may not have had modifications. It is okay to ask they check before you go out to view the space. This can save you wasting time.
When you decide to view a venue consider taking a camera, note-taking material and a measuring tape.
The documents below also feature a printable venue checklist which you can bring along to your initial venue visit.
Co-authored by WA’s Individualised Services
The information on this page is also available as a downloadable Quick Guide, by clicking below. There are PDF and word versions.
