5 Tips on Creating Accessible Festivals
In the dynamic world of festivals, creating truly inclusive experiences requires a thoughtful approach to accessibility. Drawing from my rich experiences with Art of Mass Gathering, The Underground Music Showcase, Story Tapestries, Open Circle Theatre, The Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, I've distilled five professional accessibility tips that can transform the way we design and execute events.
1. Meet People Where They Are: Listen, Ask, Craft
Begin by listening—actively and respectfully. Engage with your audience to understand their diverse needs. Pose thoughtful questions about their specific needs and preferences related to accessibility. Craft tailored accessibility plans with this information. Recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach simply won't cut it.
2. Provide Information Early and Often: Communication is Key
Early communication allows people to plan ahead and decide to come to your event based on what to expect. Disseminate information well in advance, detailing the festival terrain, accessibility features, services, and available tech. Embrace multiple communication channels—written materials, social media, verbal announcements—to ensure your message reaches a broad audience. Provide updates as information changes.
3. Accessibility as a Journey: Plan and Pivot
Anticipate the unexpected by planning comprehensively. Consider a range of accessibility needs and potential challenges. Your strategies should be adaptable, ready to pivot on a dime. Prepare your team to respond promptly and effectively to evolving accessibility requirements, understanding that accessibility is a journey, not a destination.
Make a plan…but even with the best plans, something might happen that you did not anticipate. Sometimes it is just getting people together before you know if your plan will work, but sometimes things happen in the moment that you never expected, the elevator breaks down and is not reparable, it rains and so the grass is not accessible to people using wheels. There are many moving parts to an accessible ecosystem and some part is bound to go wrong, so know you may need to pivot on a dime and change your plans.
4. Representation and Leadership Matter
Prioritize the representation of disability-centered arts and perspectives. Inclusive storytelling and artistic expression contribute to a richer event experience. Furthermore, ensure leadership positions include individuals with disabilities. Their insights can shape policies and practices that foster true inclusivity.
5. Integrate Accessibility into Budgeting: A Fundamental Investment
Betty Siegel at The Kennedy Center’s Access Office is so right, you must build accessibility in your budget and your event should not be bigger than the accessibility budget can afford. Recognize accessibility as a fundamental component of your event, deserving its own place in the budget. Be mindful of proportional budgeting—align the accessibility budget with the overall scale of the event. Avoid the pitfall of exceeding what your accessibility budget can comfortably accommodate.
Looking out across Lake Eden from my scooter.
By weaving these five strategies into your festival planning fabric, you can create experiences that resonate with a diverse audience, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. The journey towards accessibility is ongoing, but with the right mindset and strategies in place, your event can lead the way in setting new standards for inclusivity.