In addition to offering an accessible interface for your visitors and administrators, My Calendar provides options for you to indicate what ADA compliance features your events offer.

These features are split into two groups: event accessibility and venue accessibility. Some accessibility characteristics are specific to your event, others are specific to the venue, and these are identified separately.

Event Accessibility Settings

Features that are specific to an event include:

  • Audio Description – Spoken description of the setting and actions on stage.
  • ASL Interpretation – Sign language interpretation of spoken text during the event.
  • ASL Interpretation with voicing – Sign language interpretation with both ASL to spoken text and spoken text to ASL.
  • Deaf-Blind ASL – A form of tactile signing so event attendees without either sight or hearing can get the text.
  • Real-time captioning – Live text transcription of spoken text.
  • Scripted Captioning – Live text transcription where there is a known script to work from.
  • Assisted Listening Devices – Personal amplification devices to enhance the audio from the event.
  • Tactile/Touch Tour – Opportunity for attendees to physically touch objects at the event.
  • Braille Playbill – The program or playbill is available in Braille.
  • Large Print Playbill – The program or playbill is available in large print.
  • Sensory Friendly – The production is friendly to visitors who are easily overstimulated by sensory inputs.

Venue Accessibility Features

  • Accessible Entrance – There is an entrance that meets accessibility standards according to the venue’s local regulations.
  • Accessible Parking Designated – There is accessible parking available and clearly marked and enforced.
  • Accessible Restrooms – The restrooms meet accessibility standards according to the venue’s local regulations.
  • Accessible Seating – The venue has provision for various accessible seating options including space for chair users or companion seating.
  • Accessible Transportation Available – There is accessible transportation to and from the event.
  • Wheelchair Accessible – The entire venue is accessible to chair users. This does not necessarily mean that it meets accessibility criteria for other users.
  • Courtesy Wheelchairs – Wheelchairs are available at the venue for users who need them.
  • Bariatric Seating Available – Seating is available that is larger than the average chair size.
  • Elevator to all public areas – It is possible to reach multiple floors without using stairs or ramps.
  • Braille signage – Signs are available and reachable in Braille.
  • Fragrance-Free Policy – The venue has a no-fragrance policy.

Considerations for Accessible Events

There are many important considerations to operating an accessible event, including the event experience itself and access to the venue. There are many resources available to help you understand the expectations for an accessible event. Here’s a useful Accessible Meeting and Event Checklist from Cornell University. There are many others, and some of the concerns may be legal requirements specific to your location, so finding tips from local organizations is highly worthwhile!