Accessible Presentations Guide
This article series provides an overview of pathways for delivering presentations, workshops, etc. for some of digital composition accessibility requirements. This is meant to serve as a starting place, rather than an end-all-be-all to access. Accessibility should be considered throughout all parts of the presentation design process, and designing accessible compositions benefits all people, not just those with disabilities. This article is the first of three in its series:
- Choosing a Physical Space (this article)
- Planning for Accessible Presentations
- Delivering Accessible Presentations
Choosing a Physical Space
Before reserving a physical space for the presentation, consider:
- Food: If food will be provided, consider if there is a way for folks to serve themselves from a table without needing outside assistance. Additionally, avoid snacks and surface contamination from tree nuts, peanuts, gluten and seafood.
- Lighting: The lighting in the room should be adequate and flexible. You may want to ask the following questions:
- Are the lights able to be adjusted?
- Is there adequate lighting for those that need more to see?
- Is there the ability to turn off the glare near projector screens?
- Are any of the lights flickering which may affect those with migraine or seizure disorders?
- Pathways into Space: The pathways to get to and around the space should be flat (or ramped) and free from obstruction. The doorways should be able to be propped or automatic as well as large enough for mobility devices to enter.
- Rest, Lactation, and Health Rooms: The space should be near and able to be navigated to without obstruction to lactation rooms, personal health rooms, restrooms with disability access, and an all-gender restroom.
- Seating: The seating in the space is able to be moved for access to the tables. The seating should also have non-arm options to be flexible for different body types. The table heights (for both presenters and participants) should be between 28-34 inches from the floor.
- Signage: The signage to the room and its location is easily perceivable and understandable, including the use of Braille. Emergency signage is not above eye height for those in wheelchairs.
- Smells: Avoid a space that may have chemical or deep fragrances. Note that this may also mean that presenters should not wear scented items on days of the presentation.
- Travel: The space should be with facilities that allow for disability parking. The elevators should be in working condition, and the path to the room should be unobstructed.
- Technology: There is a working microphone and speaker in the room, preferably. If using digital technology, it should be able to be reached and accessible for the presenter as well as have the functionality for assistive devices (e.g., closed caption, Job Access with Speech (JAWS)).
Gratitude and Resources for Accessible Presentations
The first iteration of this series came from the work of Raven Baugh and Bethany Meadows for the East Center Writing Center Association’s 2022 conference, sponsored by the Writing Center at Michigan State University.
- Ada Hubrig’s 2021 “Conference on Community Writing Presentation Accessibility Guide”
- Conference on College Composition and Communication’s 2024 “Conference Accessibility Guide”
- Composing Access’ “Preparing Your Presentation”
Continue to the next article in this series, Planning for Accessible Presentations.
This article, Accessible Presentations Guide: Choosing a Physical Space © 2024 by Bethany Meadows, is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.