We are Everyone

We have all agreed upon joining XR to welcome everyone and every part of everyone, therefore there is a duty for us to do as much as we can to ensure everyone has access to our resources and that we are welcoming to a diverse range of people. We cannot be perfect but we must be better.

Principles Of Inclusivity

In order to build an inclusive approach towards involving all sections of society in the struggle to highlight the Climate Emergence, it is necessary for XR to pay particular attention to five activity areas:


What is inclusivity?

An inclusive product, service or environment does not exclude any section of society. Inclusive solutions consider all users and participants, including disabled people, and is a positive step towards a holistic, universal system.

The Principles of Inclusivity


Disabled Rebels Network

For further advice you can reach out to the Disabled Rebels Network either on Facebook or by Email at xr.inclusion@protonmail.com


For more on power and privilege check out this page from the Trust the People workshop! It's full of great advice, activities and resources.

Organising Inclusive Meetings & Activities

When considering an accessible and inclusive meeting, there are 3 aspects you need to think about:

  1. Planning and preparation
  2. The equipment and information
  3. The conduct of the meeting.

Remember:
There have always been disabled people engaged in political activities but never to the extent that they are today.
It is not possible or practical for organisers of demonstrations or certain other political activities to consider the access needs of all the disabled individuals who may want to take part.
Disabled people for their part equally need to understand that with Rights come responsibilities and this includes their own safety.
Nevertheless in order to be able to make informed choices as to whether or not they can participate, disabled people require as much information as is possible to give.

Disabled people would find it useful to know for example:

1. Planning - Choosing a venue

When considering whether a venue is accessible, the first obvious thought may be to avoid entrances with steps.  There are however, many other things to watch for or that you can provide to make the venue accessible:

Consider:

If you have been unable to get an ideal venue, plan how you will overcome issues to accommodate individuals, e.g. arranging help to get people down slopes.

Always:

2. Providing Information and Equipment

Planning
Publicising
Prior to Meeting
  • If using a loop, check when booking, the area that the loop covers. Check before the meeting that the loop is working.
  • If Sign language interpreters, lip speakers and deaf blind interpreters are needed check well in advance for cost and availability.
  • It is useful to hold a briefing meeting for speakers to remind them to use microphones/talk through slide presentations etc.

  • 3. Conduct - During the meeting

  • Ensure those at reception are briefed on issues.  If sighted guides are available they should be dedicated members of staff and should be on hand.
  • If using PowerPoint presentations or other visual information, ask if people can read it.  Don’t assume people will read the slides: talk through the information.  Have printed copies available.
  • At the start of the meeting, raise your hand to attract people’s attention.  Check access e.g. whether people can hear; if the loop is working; if the people can see and read the OHP; if they can see the sign language interpreters.
  • When using a microphone, speakers should generally speak close to the microphone and preferably have an opportunity to practice using microphones prior to the event.
  • If using a loop, then all speakers must use the microphone including those responding to questions.  If the questioner is not within the looped area then the question needs to be repeated using the microphone.
  • Even when a loop is not being used, it is good practice to employ a roving microphone. This might seem to slow down proceedings however often it enhances the authority of the Chair and aids the discipline of the meeting thus saving time.
  • Allow time for breaks in the meeting. This is important for individuals but also for signers and lip speakers. It is extremely important if a meeting is longer then 75 minutes a break of 15 to 20 minutes is required for accessibility needs especially deaf rebels lip reading and BSL interpreters.
  • Time keeping is essential. Many groups of people need to know when breaks are and the finishing time. This is an access issue.
  • Accessible Documentation & Leaflets

    Here are some tips on good practice:

    When considering lay-out and design for posters and leaflets (as well as the points above):

    Take care to avoid, where possible:

    Website Accessibility

    Accessible website design

    1. Text

    Use a sans serif typeface, like Arial as it is easier to read for visually impaired people. A large font equivalent to Arial 14 is a good size – the alternative is to have a Large Print button at the top of the home page.

    The text should be colour-contrasted with its surroundings – like black/white, yellow/blue, green/white. Many visually impaired people find it easier to read reverse coloured text – e.g. white characters (#FFFFFF), on racing green (#006600)  background

    2. Images

    Pictures/pictograms/icons help many people with learning disabilities, but can be a hindrance to people using voice software like Hal/Supernova (text-reader software). Where pictures are included, make sure the alt tags say what they are or what they do (e.g.: click here for Toyota cars)

    3. Frames

    Frames are about the most unhelpful thing for blind and visually impaired people, firstly because it is not easy to see what is going on, secondly, because most Text Reader software works from left to right (in the West), so someone using, for example, Supernova or a screen reader may be jumping from frame to frame and what they hear wont make sense.

    4. Tables

    Tables are inaccessible for many with visual impairments and some screen readers

    5. Forms

    Web-based forms can usually be read by text readers, but it’s worthwhile including a “print” button, for people who can’t use the online version.

    6. Document downloads

    If written in Adobe Acrobat 7 or above, pdf.files can be read by text readers like Jaws, but not all screen readers, therefore it is best practice to offer documents in Word and in Pdf

    7. Structure

    A logical and easy-to-follow structure may be the most important thing in making a website accessible:

  • avoid clutter
  • keep the homepage as simple as possible
  • pay particular attention to how you map out the site – the fewer clicks for a person to get to the information they want, the better – it is a resource not a Treasure Hunt

  • Check Out

    Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Available at: www.w3.org/WAI/

    Accessibility Guidelines for Web Authors. Available at: www.demon.ac.uk/access

    Good Communication

    Written Communication

    Do
  • ensure that the letterhead and contact details are in clear, large, lowercase print
  • use appropriate font size and script
  • ensure that the subject of the poster/leaflet is clear, and that the header makes sense
  • make the purpose of the letter/leaflet/booklet clear in the first sentence
  • write short sentences with subject and object
  • use the present tense as much as possible
  • at the end of the letter summarize what action you will take and what action the recipient must take
  • ensure that the contact person and their ‘phone number are clear, and in large print
  • where a mixture of graphics and text is used, make sure the layout is clean and avoids confusion
  • ensure that the graphics do not encroach upon the text, ensure that the graphics add to the understanding
  • make sure there is a large print footer saying where and in what other formats you can get the information
  • Don't
  • use jargon or in-house speak
  • use acronyms - where they are necessary, state them fully first
  • use adverbs and adjectives, they make sentences harder to follow
  • use passive expressions: “We offer 2 services” is easier to understand than “2 services are offered”

  • Audio information

    Audio information is especially important for people with a visual impairment, dyslexia, learning difficulties, non-English speakers and people who struggle to understand maps; non-disabled people may also find it reassuring and helpful.

    Etiquette for producing your own audio CD: use people with clear speaking voices.  Give an introduction and a summary e.g. this is an annual report of 20 pages.  Have gaps between sections; state page number at appropriate points so that people can retrieve information; give contact details at the end; if pictures are important to the text describe them.  Allow time for taping to be done in stages so that the reader does not sound bored.

    Communication Checklist

    Written communication

    Verbal Communication

    Signage

    Good Practice in Communicating with Disabled People

    The following information is a guide to issues which affect different groups of people with impairments in terms of communication. It is important to remember each individual has their own needs and strategies – ask them what their particular needs or issues are where possible.

    Who have visual impairments

    Face-to-face Communication:

    Who have physical impairments

    Ascertain the degree of personal independence of the individual in advance, for example, will they:

    Some individuals with physical impairments may have communication aids, or use speech that may be difficult to follow, or attend the meeting in a wheelchair and/or come with a personal assistant. Be prepared for these eventualities.


    Who have communication related impairments

    What implications are there for face to face communication?

    Having a speech impairment can be very tiring especially when in a new environment. Also consider that some speech impairments are affected by a person's emotional state. Patience and respect for what they have to say is very important. When talking with someone with a speech impairment:

    There may be other communication barriers to consider:


    Who have a history of mental ill health

    "Mental ill health" is an all encompassing term used to cover people who experience a range of conditions that are grouped together. These conditions may include: mood related disorders (depression), anxiety-related disorders (phobias, panic, post-traumatic stress, compulsive behaviour), psychosis (schizophrenia), eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia nervosa) and personality disorders.

    For some people with a history of mental ill health the following issues may need additional thought when organising a meeting:


    Who have dyslexia

    People with dyslexia are not a homogenous group. They are all individuals and the impact of their dyslexia will vary according to their degree of difficulty, the timing of their diagnosis, their particular strengths, and their coping strategies.

    When planning and undertaking a meeting it is vital to:


    Communication with a deaf person

    with a sign language interpreter
    who is a lip reader

    The individual may require technical support in the form of a radio hearing aid or a portable loop system in the room, to facilitate the use of the hearing aid.

    Lip reading requires a high level of concentration and can be extremely exhausting, as much as three-quarters of lip reading is intelligent guesswork and intuition, relying to some extent on contextual clues.