Inclusivity and accessibility should be at the heart of every event. This ensures that all attendees feel welcome, valued, and able to fully participate. It applies to everyone, no matter their physical abilities, neurodiversity, cultural background, or personal circumstances. By prioritising accessibility from the early planning stages, you can create events that are seamless, enjoyable, and inclusive for all. Read on for more tips for organising your next inclusive event.
Physical Accessibility
The most fundamental aspect of inclusivity is ensuring that your event space is physically accessible to all. A thoughtfully designed venue layout can make a world of difference to the experience of attendees with mobility limitations.
Choosing the right venue is the first step. Make sure it has enough space to accommodate all attendees comfortably. Check that walkways are wide enough and seating arrangements are clear. Alongside this, there should also be designated areas for wheelchair users.
For large exhibitions or trade shows, provide plenty of rest areas. These are essential for attendees who may struggle with walking or standing for long periods. Event staff should also be fully briefed and trained on accessibility considerations. This way, they can quickly spot difficulties and provide assistance when needed.
Digital Inclusivity
Inclusivity doesn’t just start on the day of the event; rather, it begins from the moment it’s announced. Digital accessibility is crucial when it comes to attendees being able to easily navigate and find event details, register or sign up and access resources.
Websites can be optimised with accessibility‑friendly features, for example, alternative text for images, screen‑reader compatibility and a clear, simple navigation.
If your event requires registration forms, these should be concise and easy to complete. Additionally, alternative methods such as over‑the‑phone registration should be made available to those who need them.
Inclusive Communication
Communication before, during, and after the event should be accessible and inclusive. While you may be focused on keeping any signage materials ‘on‑brand’ and visually appealing, above all else, it’s important to ensure it’s still clear and easy to read. Using contrasting colours, a large enough size and easy‑to‑read fonts can really help.
It’s worth noting that jargon and overly complex terms on event materials can act as a barrier or some attendees. For this reason, try to use simple and easy‑to‑comprehend language.
Cultural and Religious Inclusivity
Being mindful and making considerations for attendees from different cultural and religious backgrounds will ensure that everyone feels welcome and included at your event. Taking into consideration any holidays or religious observances when deciding on a date for your event will help to get maximum attendance. Where possible, you should provide a range of catering options for all dietary needs.
Accessible Venues for your Inclusive Events
Eastside Rooms
A brand‑new, purpose‑built conference and event centre in Birmingham, Eastside Rooms are proud to offer an inclusive venue. Passionate about providing guests a welcoming venue, they’ve ensured that visitors can use the ramp access, wide corridors and dedicated lifts to move around the venue independently.
The largest space, the Affinity Suite, is able to host up to 1200 delegates and has been fitted with hearing loops, as well as some of their meeting rooms. On each floor of the building, there are accessible toilets, and Eastside Rooms is one of the only venues in Birmingham to offer full changing room facilities.
Glaziers Hall
Looking for an inclusive and accessible venue located in central London? Glaziers Hall is right next to Borough
Market on the South side of the River Thames. They’ve worked with AccessAble to create a detailed access guide, which can be found here.
With level access from the main street entrance and step‑free level access throughout all areas (may include the use of a lift), this venue is suitable for guests with mobility difficulties. Hearing loops have been installed in the three main meeting rooms, the Banqueting Hall, Court Room and River Room.
Engineers’ House
Perfectly positioned just outside Bristol’s Clean Air Zone, Engineers’ House is only minutes from the city centre. It offers the ideal blend of convenience, sustainability, and cutting-edge facilities. The venue features 24 fully equipped meeting rooms, private pods, outdoor event spaces, and eight stylish lounges. Together, they create a professional yet characterful setting for conferences, training days, and hybrid events.
As part of the Make Venues collection, Engineers’ House has been awarded the government’s Disability Confident accreditation. This means accessibility and inclusivity are always a priority. Engineers’ House isn’t just a venue. It’s a reflection of forward-thinking values and true hospitality.
The Great House at Sonning
Nestled in the picturesque village of Sonning‑on‑Thames, just over 30 minutes from London, The Great House at Sonning blends timeless charm with a modern commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. Various Eateries, the team behind Coppa Club, champions diversity, fair access, and a safe, welcoming environment for all.
With five light‑filled meeting rooms in The Lodge, a dining room, river views, and peaceful gardens for breakout moments, the venue is perfect for inclusive events, away days, and strategy sessions. From dietary‑conscious menu options to AV support and custom layouts, every detail is considered. Additionally, their staff are trained to provide respectful, thoughtful service that ensures every guest feels seen, included, and comfortable.
Mercure Maidstone Great Danes
Accessibility is at the heart of the guest and delegate experience at Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel. Whether you’re hosting a training day, charity gala, or corporate retreat, they combine professional service,
inclusive design, and a warm welcome for every guest.
The hotel offers three fully accessible bedrooms. Each one is designed with thoughtful features such as extra‑wide doorways and wet room bathrooms. This ensures comfort and independence throughout your stay. Inside the fully accessible conference centre, a choice of 15 versatile meeting rooms caters to everything from one‑on‑one interviews to large‑scale conferences for up to 600 guests. Dedicated disabled facilities are included as standard, and spaces can be tailored to meet a wide range of formats and needs.
Book your inclusive event with Findmeaconference
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