Accessibility and Inclusion: How Can You Start Today?

- Luisana Zambrano Diaz -

It’s been the second year for us here at Radical Partners running the Accessibility and Inclusion program, thanks to the support of The Miami Foundation’s community grant. One thing I’m certain about this time around is that we will never stop learning how to make our ecosystem a more accessible and inclusive environment for all. 

Zoom screenshot showcasing the Accessibility & Inclusion Workshop for Social Ventures in March 2023, featuring participants and experts actively sharing their best accessibility practices.

One of my key takeaways from the program (and I’m sure you’ve heard this before) is that it’s okay to not know, but it’s also okay to take the first step and try! As our friends Debbie, Shelly and Jairo shared during our first Accessibility & Inclusion Practices for our Social Impact Ecosystem training, it’s all about asking and understanding what is needed so that you can adapt little by little and make accessibility practices a habit in your day-to-day operations. However, you might be asking yourself: How can I start today?

Below, I'm going to share with you some of the best tips and practices that I personally learned and took away from this second round of the program:

1. Make sure to review this blog post for additional important tips and takeaways from our first round of accessibility and inclusion practices, written by Torrey Mahall.

2. When thinking about programming and planning for an event, ask yourself:

  • Does the location have an accessible entrance, bathrooms, and elevators?

  • Did I ask about accessibility needs before planning? Do I know the accessibility needs of my attendees?

  • Do I have the possibility of including a speaker or expert who also lives with a disability in my program?

Screenshot of an Instagram post showcasing an accessibly designed 10 Days of Connection event, featuring two movement members, one in a wheelchair and the other sitting down.

3. You could alleviate the need for asking by budgeting for accessible accommodations such as ASL interpreters, live transcribers for virtual meetings, or coordinating transportation from the get-go. I understand that this is an investment that needs to be included in your budget. In the meantime, you can add the following statements to your registration forms so that you can also know in advance the accessibility needs of participants:

“Accessibility Information: We seek to make this event as accessible as possible to individuals of all abilities and needs. For questions or additional accommodations, please reach out to [EVENT LEAD] at [EMAIL], at least 24 hours in advance of the event.”

4. You can also start providing accommodations such as:

  • PDFs with large fonts 

  • Advance sharing of presentations

  • Phone support before the event

  • Quiet rooms

  • Dimmed lighting

Three individuals on stage at a 10 Days of Connection event, one speaking with an ASL interpreter translating their words into sign language.

5. Leverage inexpensive platforms, such as Kapwing, that would allow you to make content more accessible.

There is a continual necessity to build and integrate individuals living with disabilities into the conversation within the social impact ecosystem. We need to continue investing in ongoing communication efforts, sharing learnings, and promoting essential best practices to encourage collaboration and drive systems change. By creating safe spaces within the social impact ecosystem, we can openly acknowledge our gaps and identify opportunities to work towards closing them, fostering an environment of inclusivity, growth, and progress.

Embrace the discomfort of challenging spaces and our everyday practices, and acknowledge that creating a safe space for everyone, including those living with disabilities, is a learning experience too! We, along with dozens of accessibility and inclusion experts, have got your back!

Luisana ZambranoAccessibility, Inclusion, DisabilityComment