Accessibility

Our Accessibility Goals

We aim to challenge and confront ableism within societal structures and ourselves. We do so within the context of our workplace policies, our community offerings, and our organizational relationships. We hold accessibility not just a goal, but a priority; making sure that all of our community members can participate in the capacity they decide. We do so because a commitment to accessibility is a commitment to challenging colonialism, white supremacy, anti-Blackness, capitalism, imperialism, misogyny, queer and transphobia. 

Our Website

In creating and maintaining our website we are intentional to meet the standard, level A Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. This includes:

• Adding descriptive alt text for every image so that people with screen readers are able to know what the content is

• Making sure there is alt text for all links, so that when using a screen readers people will know where the link is directing them

• Using an accurate heading structure so that people with screen readers are able to navigate pages easily

• Ensuring that text font, size, and color contrast is within WCAG parameters for accessible legibility, so that people with low vision are able to navigate the site

• Being conscious of text spacing and alignment, to make it easier for people with low literacy or cognitive disability to be able to read the text

Programs & Events

Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, nearly all of our events are offered with hybrid attendance options, and we plan to continue to offer virtual events for the foreseeable future. Any in-person events will also have ways to engage virtually. We recognize that “the current abled culture [...] deems disabled people as disposable in this pandemic” and we are committed to practicing solidarity with disabled folks by creating space for people to safely connect in the face of coronavirus.

All of our events offer live transcription, with CART captioning available by request. We work with CART captioners who are BIPOC and/or queer or trans, to meet the specific cultural needs of our communities. 

We also collaborate with QTBIPOC ASL interpreters, both Deaf and hearing, to provide ASL interpretation for Deaf participants. 

We utilize a Meeting Owl, which offers a 360° camera, mic, and speaker, at all of our events to make our spaces feel more immersive for our online participants. We strive to have sufficient technology for in person and virtual collaboration.

We ask our in-person event attendees to limit their use of fragrance as much as possible (some help on how to do that here), to use fragrance free detergent on clothing, and not wear perfumes / heavily scented products. We also offer fragrance free sections if/when needed. 

Food is offered at all of our events - in person attendees are asked to provide their dietary restrictions, and gift cards are offered for virtual attendees.

General things we consider in a physical space:

• ADA accessibility / maneuverability of space

• Seating types - options for different body sizes, weight capacity of chairs

• Bathroom accessibility / gender inclusiveness

• Proximity to public transit and parking availability

We know that access needs change over time, so we make a habit of asking people what their needs are at the start of all of our meetings, and in all of our registration forms. We do our best to do check-ins in the middle of meetings as well, and encourage participants to reach out if things change.

COVID-19 & Hybrid Event Protocols

We also acknowledge that the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing and actively impacting our communities, in particular those who are immunocompromised and their loved ones. We know that folks are (and want to be) gathering in person, and that those kinds of connections keep us alive and well, too. Based on feedback from our communities, we have crafted the following hybrid protocol for our events and programming:

1. Attendees are asked to take an at-home covid test prior to arrival, and be sure to swab both nose and throat if using a rapid test. This guide has more information on how to get a more accurate sample. If you are unable to get a test, we have some available upon request. We request that photos of the results are emailed to us or brought to the event.

2. Attendees must wear a well-fitting KN95/N95 mask while indoors at all times unless eating or drinking.

3. Air Purifying/Ventilation. When possible, we have a hospital quality air purifier and/or a smaller purifier available in our spaces.

4. Attendees must complete Symptoms and Exposure Checklist at arrival. Those that are feeling unwell or have experienced an exposure to someone who has tested positive are asked to please stay home. And join us virtually if they are feeling able! 

5. Post-Testing and Contact Tracing. We recommend that people take a rapid test 3-5 days after the event and let us know about any positive results, so we can anonymously inform other attendees. If someone develops symptoms within 3-5 days after the event, they are asked to please let us know as well.

6. Optionally, consider using a nasal spray and CPC mouthwash before and after the event to reduce potential viral load. For more information about Covid prevention and treatment, check out this guide.

Recommendations & Resources

• We currently are using the Pluslife Testing Protocols as a guide for our in-person events.

• We maintain a list of QTBIPOC ASL interpreters, and CART captioners and are willing to share with others if requested. If you (or someone you know) would like to be added to this list, let us know!

• One of our community members made a handout to help folks understand access needs and to provide examples for meeting attendees.  Download, share, and add to the handout here.