What is an accessible and inclusive community event?

The term community event embraces a diverse range of public events. Everyone has a right to equal access to events. When events are accessible and inclusive, everyone benefits. For the purposes of this toolkit the focus is on public events and may include:

• State government and local government consultation and engagement forums
• cultural celebrations such as NAIDOC Week and cultural events associated with special days or times such as Lunar New Year, Holi, Easter, Baisakhi, Vesak and Eid
• International Women’s Day, Harmony Day, IDAHOBIT, Pride March, carer and volunteer recognition events and other established calendar events
• public celebrations (such as New Year’s and Christmas pageants), fetes and carnivals
• outdoor theatre, cinema, music and visual art exhibitions
• agricultural and horticultural shows, and similar events support by councils
• festivals and sporting events presented, promoted or supported by the South Australian Government or local councils.

Planning an accessible event improves the experience for everyone, including people with accessibility needs, families, carers, older visitors, parents with prams and the event performers and organisers who may be moving equipment.

Barriers include

• exclusion from participating in the event, activities and interests
• reduced independence and dignity
• physical access barriers such as getting to the event, venue accessibility
• attitudinal barriers such as staff awareness, assistance, language
• socioeconomic barriers such as event costs and companion costs
• communication barriers such as event promotion, access to materials and information
• cultural barriers.