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Academic conferences are key for scholarly development but how inclusive are they? This website considers accessibility obstacles for a range of minority or underrepresented groups to raise awareness and consider possible solutions. To organise inclusive events, we need to cater for a diversity of people.
What is diversity?
What is diversity?
People vary in so many different ways: gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, age, ability, physical appearance, religion, socioeconomic status, digital accessibility, and lots more!
Reflecting on this diversity, how can we avoid introducing inequality?
Reflecting on this diversity, how can we avoid introducing inequality?
Domestic chores and childcare prevent care givers from getting involved in academic events
Poor or no access to internet connection may prevent people from actively participating in virtual conferences
Accessibility is an issue for in person conferences: e.g. access to lifts, car park, directions in braille
Variations in income and funding support is a major source of inequality
Allergies and intolerances - are they sufficiently catered for?
Some attendees may have to take short leaves for breastfeeding and nursing
Dietary restrictions relate to religion, life style and intolerances
Various illnesses (visible or invisible) make attendance of full conference days very hard
How to organise an accessible 'Virtual' event?
How to organise an accessible 'Virtual' event?
Virtual conferences are considerably more inclusive than in-person conferences, as they reduce inequality in terms of time-commitment, finances, mobility and accessibility.
Nevertheless, inclusivity is not automatic. Necessary considerations include:
Internet support, infrastructure accessibility, time zone differences, captioning and automatic translation of video presentations, early release of online material, online socialisation and discussion activities, multiple modes of participation (i.e. questions in advance, chat, and live discussion).
Before the event, what can we do?
Before the event, what can we do?
Sending attendees a questionnaire to ask if they have any special needs and create a platform to prevent organisers from missing important inclusivity criteria.
Brainstorm: some more ideas from the UK event Accessibility Guide
1. How to make your events more accessible? What are the legal and regulatory requirements? How to meet these criteria?
2. How to make online events inclusive for everyone? How to accommodate languages and experience barriers and address experiences of inequality?
3. How to make your attendees feel welcome and comfortable? Is there any support available and is the staff well prepared for giving support?
For guidance for in person events, see:
Accessible Activism (recommended pages 18-41)
After the event, what can we do?
After the event, what can we do?
Releasing a questionnaire to all attendees to receive feedback.
Have a final organisers' meeting to share and discuss insights.
Check the link below for more information:
Accessible Activism (recommended pages 48-51)
Reference:
https://www.trainingjournal.com/articles/opinion/workplace-diversity-it%E2%80%99s-more-just-gender-issue (What is diversity?)https://nl.123rf.com/photo_57017827_gendergelijkheid-concept-met-man-versus-vrouw-symbool-zakenman-vs-zakenvrouw-ongelijkheid-in-carri%C3%A8re-.html (What we have missed?)https://kathmandupost.com/2/2020/04/02/for-many-women-working-from-home-has-meant-working-while-doing-the-housework (Domestic chores)https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/behavioral-competencies/global-and-cultural-effectiveness/pages/female-speakers-underrepresented-at-professional-gatherings.aspx (Female being underrepresented in conferences)https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/fix-unidentified-network-and-no-network-access-in-windows/ (No Internet)https://www.slideshare.net/shankharupa/barrierfreebuiltenvironment (Barrier Free)https://www.seattletimes.com/explore/careers/a-checklist-for-planning-your-next-big-meeting/ (Ratio)https://www.fragrancex.com/blog/fragrance-sensitivity/ (Allergy)https://www.workingmother.com/10-surprising-ways-your-child-is-benefiting-from-having-working-mom (Baby&mum) https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-illustration-halal-kosher-food-collection-round-watercolor-stains-vegetarian-vegan-product-text-set-vector-image92839619 (Food signs)https://dmgbyrnes.com/2016/05/18/28-things-you-may-not-know-about-my-invisible-illness/ (invisible Illness)https://soyouwanttowrite.org/blogs/syww/online-writers-conferences-you-can-attend-in-a-pandemic (Organise a conference-virtual)https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/organise-team-meeting/ (Organise a conference-f2f)https://www.atkinsonmoss.co.uk/5-ways-to-improve-your-recruitment-strategy-in-2019/ (How to improve)https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/blog/academy/making-events-inclusive-diverse/ (How to organise)https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/blog/practical-tips-for-making-events-diverse-ds00/ (How to organise)https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/blog/academy/uk-event-accessibility-guide-2017/ (After the event)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-g2dkq17NsRmLum-Km-eTyIxoBtvaSxNHAUK2Dh59fs/edit#heading=h.en1nsrd4zj5p (Accessible Activism)Page updated
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