A User Friendly Venue for Physically Challenged People.
When choosing a Venue it is important to consider the needs of physically challenged people. This is something I have always done – without exception. I strongly advise you to do the same.
There are many items to consider in this regard and the following is a guide for you to consider.
Car Parking…
Always ask what criteria the venue staff have for handicap parking requirements.
They may require your client to have their own personal disabled parking sign and need them to leave that visible on the dash board in the car park. If this is the case you will need to tell your client before they arrive. Often the client only has one sign and that may not be in the car the client is using on the day.
Telephones…
I notice at lunch times quite a few people go out and use the pay phones in the foyer instead of using their mobile / cell phones.
Check to see if the Venue offers telephones for the disabled – these phones are often designed to be more accessible for physically challenged people. If they don’t offer phones for disabled then you can always offer them the use of your own personal phone.
Seeing Challenged…
I encounter this on a very regular basis. It is important to always be prepared to be flexible in the moment for people who have this issue. In my experience clients arrive on the day and very quietly approach me to say they are sight challenged.
It could be any of the following requirements – or more
- sit on either the left or right hand side of the room to see
- sit right in the middle of the front row to see
- write down all of the flip chart items during a break as they cannot read the board
- ask for certain colored pens not be used as they are color blind.
One of the more subtle elements here is just how you manage to get other people to move from their seats to accommodate this person – without them knowing why.
Hearing Challenged…
This also crops up on a regular basis with physically challenged people. Again, you need to find ways to accommodate this client so they are comfortable and resourceful, often discreetly.
Some can only hear from the left or right ear and need to sit on particular sides of the room. You may need to get others to move seats for them.
- The air conditioner can be noisey and that type of hum can cause some to have a hearing difficulty. Can you turn it off periodically?
- Some may shout when they speak as they cannot hear the volume they are using. This may irritate other clients and they complain to you. How will you handle this?
- At times some are too embarrassed to mention their difficulty and arrive early after a break or next day to claim a different seat location. This can cause problems with other clients who want the same seat each time.
Literacy Challenged…
It is also quite common to have people in the meeting or training who are literacy challenged. These can be from all levels of management and may find themselves feeling a bit vulnerable. I have had a few people approach me over the years to say they are unable to take notes due to this. You really need to be mindful this is a delicate moment for many. These are some of the ways I have seen this handled.
- Maybe they might like to sit on the end of a row as that would be less exposing
- Suggest they draw graphics instead of words – much faster way to learn anyway
- They may get someone they know to copy their notes for them
- They may ask if they can tape record all of the training. If this is the case you must get permission from the Trainer before you agree.
Computers for Disabled…
Depending on the type of training or event you are managing you may have to provide computer access for physically challenged people. When you are deciding on the Venue to book you must check with them to see if they have computers for the disabled.
Disabled people and elevator access…
A real must to check this out. I attended a meeting where a client had to be carried up a flight of stairs in her chair, and back down again as there was no elevator. She was furious to say the least. To make matters worse this lady was the one who made all the decisions and choose to take her business elsewhere. Don’t make this mistake.
Disabled Bathroom…
Hate to state the obvious. But, can your client use the bathroom? Is it accessible to physically challenged people? If not, I would find another venue.
In this day and age there is just no excuse for not providing a venue that suits the needs of all your clients. Even if you know your client base well and know you will not need any of these facilities you never really know how the future unfolds. We have experienced clients arriving on crutches due to an accident, they had no difficulity with the venue chosen as it already offered facilities for physically challenged people.
Do yourself and your clients a favor, always choose a venue that can cover all possible contingencies.
