CONFERENCES AND CONVENTION CENTRES' ACCESSIBILITY TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Objective: The purposes of this manuscript are to create awareness of problems of accessibility at meetings and conferences for people with disabilities, and to provide a checklist for organizers of conferences to make the event more accessible to people with disabilities. Methods: We conducted a search of the grey literature for conference centres and venues that had recommendations for making the event more accessible. The types of disability included in this manuscript are those as a consequence of visual, hearing and mobility impairments. Results: We provide a checklist to make meetings accessible to people with disabilities. The checklist is divided into sections related to event planning, venue accessibility, venue staff, invitations/registrations, greeting people with a disability, actions during the event, and suggestions for effective presenters. Conclusions: The checklist can be used by prospective organizers of conferences to plan an event and to ensure inclusion and participation of people with disabilities.