Why is accessibility important?

Accessibility is a fundamental right and an essential element in creating a culture where everyone feels welcomed and empowered.

At the Humane League UK (THL UK), we believe accessibility should be at the heart of everything we do. Our in-person events are no exception.

Why in-person events matter

Our mission is to end the abuse of animals raised for food, and in-person events play a huge role in changing the world for animals. From protests to parliamentary receptions, we’re on the ground holding companies and governments to account.

We recognise that a diverse movement is a stronger, more creative, and more innovative one. By bringing together people of varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, we can achieve a greater impact for animals at every event.

How are we improving event accessibility?

1. Prioritise accessibility from the start

The first step to making sure our events are as accessible as possible is to consider the diverse access needs of all potential attendees. This includes individuals with visible or known disabilities, as well as individuals with non-visible disabilities and/or chronic health conditions.

We work through a range of prompts to help us ensure we’re maximising the physical and sensory accessibility of our events.

Examples include but are not limited to:

• Where are the nearest public transport stops and car parks? Are they accessible?
• Are toilets nearby and accessible?
• Are printed materials available in different formats such as large print, braille, and electronic formats?
• Can we ensure people are not required to stand or walk to take part?

Additionally, we vary the days and times of our events to provide the greatest opportunity possible for people to attend at a date and time suitable for them.

We also recognise that there may be financial barriers to attending in-person events. To address this, THL UK can cover the costs of travel and participation to ensure that no one is excluded due to financial constraints.

2. Share accessibility information in advance

We recognise the importance of providing comprehensive information about the nature and accessibility of our events as far in advance as possible.

By being clear about our event plan, the accessibility of a venue or location, and the inclusivity and accessibility measures we’re putting in place, potential attendees can identify how accessible the event is to themselves. In doing so, we hope to reduce or remove any barriers to attending and help everyone feel prepared, excited and confident about participating in a THL UK event.

As part of our event plan, we strive to provide opportunities to partake in varying roles to ensure everyone is able to take part in a role that’s right for them. We also need to be up-front and honest about the fact that sometimes we can’t meet everyone’s access needs.

We’re working to make every event accessible to all, and that’s why the next step - to invite and listen to feedback - is so important.

3. Centre accessibility on the day

We take a range of steps to ensure that accessibility remains a priority on the day. One key measure is assigning an Accessibility Coordinator who is responsible for overseeing and executing accessibility measures throughout the event. The Accessibility Coordinator is available to provide information, support, and assistance to all attendees as needed.

To create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere from the outset, we provide space for low-pressure digital introductions with optional sharing of pronouns. We also hold training sessions for volunteers and attendees to build confidence, offer a space for questions and ensure everyone feels well-prepared and supported.

THL UK organisers always adhere to UK laws and regulations. In addition to this being our obligation as a registered charity, we recognise that the risk of arrest is far greater for some due to personal, social or legal factors. By ensuring our events are peaceful and lawful we aim to create a safe and accessible environment for all attendees.

4. Invite & implement feedback

We strive to provide multiple ways for individuals to communicate with event organisers, ask questions, or voice their accessibility needs. We encourage individuals to reach out to us directly if they require personalised accessibility support - if anyone has a need we don’t seem to have catered for, we want to discuss this and see if we can find a solution based on that person’s needs.

We also welcome your thoughts, ideas and questions more generally. If you’d like to contact us about our in-person events and accessibility, you can email us at info@thehumaneleague.org.uk.

5. Our Safer Spaces Policy

Inclusivity stands as one of The Humane League UK’s core values, and we must all work together to ensure that our events are safe and comfortable for all individuals. Therefore, by signing up for one of our events, attendees agree to abide by The Humane League UK’s Safer Spaces Policy at all times.

Conclusion

Through the measures shared in this blog, we aim to create events that are open and welcoming to all. There is always more to learn and improvements to be made, and we're committed to continuing to educate ourselves and seek feedback from our community.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us to provide feedback on accessibility.

We're working hard to create a kinder world for animals. But we can't achieve this without building a more equitable world for humans too. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. You can sign up for our newsletter for information about all our campaigns and events.