Accessibility: More than an Invitation

I’ve been very pleased to see that as the discussion about diversity in YA has grown, disability has largely been included. (For many complicated reasons I won’t get into here—but feel free to Google!—this hasn’t historically been the case in social justice movements.) I’ve especially appreciated the effort to include more disabled folks in physical spaces like conferences and workshops.

However, being invited isn’t enough. Don’t get me wrong—it’s an excellent first step. But it’s important for our abled publishing peeps to understand that an open door, or even a warm and welcoming greeting from inside that door, does not equal accessibility.

I’m going to talk about accessibility in physical spaces from a very limited perspective: mine. But I’m hoping sharing the obstacles I encounter will start the conversation about what accessibility really means.

So, here’s a list of questions I have to consider before deciding if I can go to a thing:

1. Where is it and can I drive there?

Because of several disability-related issues, I usually can’t fly. Which means driving. For me, “driving distance” means arriving without having to spend any night in a hotel. That’s about a 10-12 hour drive, which can get me pretty far but certainly not everywhere. There are exceptions, though. When I attended Clarion last year, I drove from Atlanta to San Diego: a five-day trip. Needless to say, 2000+ miles worth of gas and five days of food/hotels ends up being a LOT more expensive than a plane ticket.

2. Can I bring a caregiver?

I can’t live on my own. I need help getting in and out of bed, dressing, showering, using the bathroom, etc. The answer to this question is usually “yes”, but not always. For instance, when I was looking at colleges, I had to cross a few off my list that wouldn’t allow me to have a live-in caregiver. I was terrified when I got into Clarion that they would say the same thing, but thankfully that wasn’t the case.

3. Who’s going to be my caregiver and how much will it cost?

I’m lucky that my dad can usually go with me as my caregiver. Even still, I have to pay for his food and lodging on top of mine. And if I need to bring a hired caregiver, I have to pay food, lodging, travel, and their paycheck. It can become incredibly expensive.

4. Is there someplace accessible to stay?

When I say accessible, I mean accessible for me specifically. Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) we have some basic standards for accessibility in America, but each disabled person will have different needs. For me, I need a layout that accommodates my wheelchair and my hoyer lift, a bed my lift can fit underneath, and a roll in shower with a hose. That’s at the very least.

5. Can I stay within walking distance of the event/program?

I don’t drive, and public transportation is super unreliable in terms of accessibility. It’s much easier to be able to transport myself back and forth rather than having my caregiver drive me every time. Plus, I can only go to the bathroom in my room (unless I cart around my giant hoyer lift, which, no) so staying close lessens the bathroom worry. Of course, rooms near these types of events tend to be much more expensive than rooms farther away. This point isn’t necessarily make or break, but it can be.

6. Is the event/program location accessible?

Are there reliable elevators and ramps that aren’t too steep? Are the sidewalks smooth, or are they made of something like cobblestone? Is the area hilly? Will there be giant, difficult-to-navigate crowds? Is there accessible seating (aka spaces without chairs or where chairs can be moved)? If I’m going to speak/be part of a panel, is the stage accessible? If food is served, are there accessible tables (I can’t do booths) and are the counters low enough for me to reach? Etc.

These are the basic questions I have to answer before I can determine if I can attend anything. I’m very lucky that I’ve been able to attend more than I haven’t, but it’s simply not always feasible.

So, how can conferences/workshops/programs/etc. include more disabled participants? First, make sure the physical space is accessible in as many ways as possible. Again, the legally mandated standards do not equal true accessibility for all. Invite disabled people (with a wide variety of disabilities) to consult. We’ll likely make suggestions that wouldn’t have otherwise been considered.

Second, when possible, give us money. That sounds crass, but many disabled people face additional costs beyond the typical cost of attendance. And those extra costs can be ridiculously high. Offer grants or scholarships for disabled attendees. If you invite us to speak, pay us a stipend. I realize there may not be much money available, but understand that without some financial assistance, many disabled folks simply won’t be able to afford to come.

Third, offer options for off-site participation. If you invite a disabled speaker, offer to Skype them in if they prefer. Stream panels and classes online for those who can’t attend. It might take some extra time and money, but these sorts of options would be incredibly helpful in making programs accessible.

This is a woefully brief list of suggestions to improve accessibility, and they come from my very limited perspective. But again, hopefully this will start the conversation.