New accessibility toolkit for event organisers

At Hinxton Hall Conference Centre, we're committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. Earlier this year we commissioned and completed a training session on Disability Confidence, run by training provider, Advance HE. The session offered guidance on the key principles relating to communicating with, and supporting, delegates and residents with disabilities.

The team covered

• Understanding 'disability' and who it encompasses
• Exploring disability as a protected characteristic in the Equality Act
• Defining our commitments to delegates with disabilities
• Developing effective communication strategies about disability
• Enhancing skills in discussing disability-related information
• Practicing inclusive approaches through case studies and role play

Following the training, we developed a comprehensive venue access information document aimed at helping anyone with access needs to prepare for their visit, and an accessibility toolkit for event organisers. This toolkit covers delegate needs; communicating about your event; presentations and materials; and feedback and continuous improvement. You can download these below.

Reinforcing our ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusion, we have also created an extra feedback from for people who require a PEEP form in order to see how we can keep improving. Last but not least, this year we invested in a gated stair lift to make the stage in our Auditorium accessible by all, and have increased the number of wheelchair spaces in that room to five.