Most Making Music member groups don’t operate their own venue, so considering which venue you let or use is the control you have over this aspect of access and inclusion. It may be that there are few options in your community so if the available venues are less than suitable, raise this with the venue owner.
Consider how people will get to the venue.
- Is it easy to find and well signposted?
- Will people feel safe arriving and leaving in the dark (if they need to)?
- Is it accessible by public transport?
- Does the service run during the times your event is being held?
- Is there car parking, including disabled parking? Can spaces be reserved?
- Are any barriers or ‘pay and display’ machines easy to operate with clear instructions?
- Does the venue provide maps and travel information on their website?
Consider how people will get into and around the venue.
- Are the routes from the car park suitable for people who use wheelchairs and mobility aids? Paths should be well maintained with have a firm surface, be wide enough, not too steep, with dropped kerbs.
- Are the routes from public transport suitable for people who use wheelchairs and mobility aids?
- Are suitable ramps provided to overcome any steps? Do you need to request that ramps be put out for people ready for their arrival?
- If access is required to different floors, is there a suitable accessible lift with voice announcements and emergency alarms?
- How many doors do people need to go through to get to the room you are using and are they automated or easy to open?
- Is there clear signage to the different areas, including exits and toilets?
Consider the venue’s facilities.
- Are accessible toilet facilities available for disabled people and large enough for wheelchairs to turn around inside, with a working emergency alarm installed? Is it kept clear and available for use at all times?
- Are there gender neutral toilets or a toilet that could be designated as gender neutral?
- Do you need a venue with a an accessible toilet? You may be running a large event open to the public or know there is someone attending who needs one. See Changing Places Toilets (changing-places.org)
- Is there an additional room or area that could be used as a quiet space for people who need time away from the main event/space for prayer/to breastfeed etc? Is it close to the main space and easy to access?
- Is there easy access to drinking water?
- Is there a range of different seating available e.g. chairs with and without arm rests?
Audio and visual considerations
- Are the acoustics of the room you are using challenging? Is there a lot of echo, background noise (perhaps from air conditioning or heaters) or ‘bleed’ from neighbouring rooms?
- Does the venue have a hearing loop (audio induction loop) that you could make use of?
- Can the lighting be adjusted? Is it bright enough for people to read? Can any direct light be adjusted away from people (including from windows)?
- Is signage easy to read; large print with letters in a contrasting colour and in a plain font? (link to Inclusive Comms resource)
Consider if everyone will feel welcome in the venue
- Is the venue a community space e.g. is it regularly used by all members of your community? If it is also a school/community centre/village hall, then people are likely to already feel welcome there.
- Do the owners of the venue display or hold religious or political views that are exclusive of or oppressive to certain groups of people? This is not a welcoming venue for everyone.
Take action to make access to and around the venue easier:
- Provide maps and travel information – either in links to the venues website or by creating your own.
- Offer to meet people at the car park or entrance to guide them into the space, or always post someone at the entrance to do this.
- Bring your own signage to stick or stand up to guide people around. This could include a pull up banner beside the door of your event, or signs directing people to a breakout space.
- Provide amplification for presenters. A portable PA system or wearable voice amplifier could be purchased or hired.
- Consider hiring an extra room to keep numbers in groups lower or to provide a quiet space.
