[diversity] Accessibility at RIPE Meetings

Hi,

Great that you’re picking this up! This is a good list already. A few 
additional thoughts:

* For a lift, it’s also important that it’s large enough. Most 
modern lifts are fine, but the RIPE87 dinner venue lift could probably 
have fit 1/3rd of a wheelchair at most.
* For transport, you don’t necessarily need to have all accessible 
transport arranged already, as long as you’re clear about it in 
advance. The usual coaches work for people that can do several steps to 
get in and have storage for any aids. It’s fine to ask people to 
contact you if that does not work so you can arrange an alternative. And 
of course it’s not only about getting into the vehicle, but also the 
dropoff point and route to the location from there.
* As Brian said, don’t forget about social venues. On average 
they’re a lot worse than hotels.
* In general, barriers are more important if they are more impactful or 
more frequent. Needing staff to open a side door to enter a dinner 
venue, for example, is not great, but ok - you only use it twice. But 
not being able to independently move between lunch and the plenary room 
is not fine.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, 
https://2023.djangocon.eu/inclusion/ is a decent example of documenting 
this - though I have some nits with it :)

Sasha

On 8 Mar 2024, at 11:42, Ulka Athale wrote:

> Hi everyone,
>
> Some of you on this list might have participated in the Diversity, 
> Equity and Inclusion in Tech session at RIPE 87 in Rome. We received a 
> lot of concrete feedback on improvements needed to making RIPE 
> Meetings more accessible. Some of our staff will be visiting the RIPE 
> Meeting venue in Krakow next week, and while we usually check for 
> standard accessibility features (availability of lifts and ramps), we 
> would like to know if there are any additional needs that we should be 
> catering to. Some of the requirements we have gathered based on our 
> checklists and the feedback received are:
>
> 1. Checking that all meeting areas are accessible via lifts and ramps.
> 2. Ramps: The ramp gradient should be gentle and the ramp should be 
> wide enough for a wheelchair. There should be enough space around the 
> ramp for someone to turn onto the ramp.
> 3. Ensure that wheelchair accessible toilets are available, unlocked 
> and functional. Ideally with a mirror at the right height.
> 4. Having spaces with a reduced sensory overload - the Workspace 
> (formerly called the Terminal room) for example.
> 5. Markings on steps for improved visibility and handrails along 
> staircases.
> 6. Transport instructions for accessibility e.g. from the airport to 
> the venue, to social events.
>
> We will work with the meeting venue towards supporting these needs as 
> far as possible. If there’s anything that you would like us to take 
> into account, please feel free to email us directly at 
> meeting at ripe.net <mailto:meeting at ripe.net> or reply to this thread.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Ulka
>
> Ulka Athale
> Senior Marketing and Communications Officer
> RIPE NCC

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