The following accommodations should be provided for individuals with mobility disabilities, including those using wheelchairs, arm braces, canes, or walkers:

Exterior Access

Signage

• Ensure that accessible entrances are marked and that signs direct people to accessible entrances.

Parking

• Determine that there are a reasonable numbers of accessible parking spots available for the estimated number of attendees with disabilities.
• Arrangements can be made with the owners of the meeting facility to permit additional spaces to be used for designated parking close to the building for the duration of the event.
• Ensure that the designated parking spots for people with disabilities are on a firm, slip-resistant surface and located close to the entrance of the building. Determine whether there is a curb cut or level access provided from parking area to the main entrance.
• Ensure snow removal during winter events.
• Investigate whether accessible metered parking or public parking lots with accessible spaces are available close by the meeting facility if a large number of attendees with disabilities are expected.

Sidewalks/Path of Travel

• Determine that there is a barrier free path of travel from the parking lot, drop off area, and public transportation to the meeting entrance, avoiding stairs, sudden changes in level, slippery or unstable ground, or objects obstructing the path of travel.
• Ensure snow removal from the path of travel during winter events.
• Ramps should be gradual in slope and have handrails on both sides.
• Sidewalks should be clearly separated from the road and driveway for safety reasons.

Accessible Transit

• Make certain that the location is serviced by accessible or parallel transit services.
• Check on construction or other traffic activities and inform attendees of any possible delays that may impact their travel time to and from the event.
• Ensure there is a drop-off area available in front of the building; A covered drop-off area is preferred.

Interior Access

Entrances and Lobbies

• Make certain that an accessible entrance is available with all doorways wide enough for the passage of a person using a wheelchair or scooter. Access through the main entrance is highly desirable.
• In the case when the main entrance is NOT accessible, ensure there is a clearly visible sign at the front of the building indicating the location of the accessible entrance.
• Check that accessible entrances are well lit and not located in isolated areas.
• Ensure that accessible entrances are not locked and do not require use of buzzers or bells to permit access.
• Ensure that the door handles are easy to open with a closed fist. Ideally, doors should have lever handles and be equipped with an automatic door opener.
• Provide signs indicating the accessible route to where the meeting is taking place within the building.
• Make sure the signs are mounted at a comfortable height for both people who use wheelchairs and people with low vision.
• Arrange for staff or volunteers to be available at doorways and throughout the facility to direct or assist people with disabilities to the meeting location.

Elevators

• Determine that the elevators are located close to the meeting facilities and are large enough to hold power wheelchair and/or scooter users.
• Ensure there are enough elevators to safely and conveniently transport the number of people using mobility devices attending the session.
• Where lifts must be used, make certain they are safe and easy to operate with enough space to accommodate both wheelchair and scooter users. Lifts must not be locked.
• Verify that the elevator controls are mounted at a comfortable height for a person using a wheelchair or scooter.

Accessible Restrooms

• Ensure the location has restrooms that are large enough to accommodate scooter and power wheelchair users and are equipped with at least one accessible stall.
• Ensure the location has at least one accessible restroom on the same floor as the event. A minimum of a five-foot turning radius is needed for wheelchair users to maneuver without restriction.
• Ensure that all restroom doors can be open with 5 pounds of force or less and are easy to open with a closed fist without twisting the wrist.
• Make sure that the faucets are reachable by a person using a wheelchair or scooter and can be operated using a closed fist.
• Check to see that restroom accessories and dispensers are within easy reach of a person using a wheelchair or scooter.
• Hallways and Corridors
• Check to see that major hallways and all essential doorways throughout the facility are wide enough (at least 32 inches) to permit the passage of people using wheelchairs and scooters in both directions.
• Ensure that all interior doors open with 5 pounds of force or less and are easy to open with a closed fist without twisting the wrist.
• Determine that low pile carpeting, hardwood flooring or tile has been used as the floor finish to ensure that a wheelchair or scooter user can travel easily throughout the facility.

Meeting or Conference Rooms

• It is preferable for the meeting room to be located on the building entry floor.
• Ensure that the meeting room is large enough to provide circulation and seating for an adequate or anticipated number of participants who use wheelchair, scooters, guide dogs or other mobility aids (at least 36 inches).
• Check to see that accessible seating is available throughout the meeting space.
• Determine that the reception/refreshment areas are in an area large enough to provide circulation for participants who use wheelchair, scooters, guide dogs or other mobility aids.
• Ensure that the stages and speaking areas, including lectern or podium, are accessible to wheelchair and scooter users.
• Ensure that cables, wires and microphones are well secured and do not block traffic.

Safety and Evacuation Procedures

• To ensure the safety of all participants, discuss evacuation plans and procedures with the facilities manager in the early planning stages.
• Invite meeting participants to identify their particular evacuation needs when they confirm attendance at the event. Provide the facilities manager with a list of participants who need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation.
• At the beginning of the event, advise participants of the emergency exits located near the meeting rooms and washrooms. At this time, invite participants to identify their requirement for assistance in the event of an emergency, and notify the facilities manager of any updates to the list.
• To facilitate a coordinated and expeditious evacuation, request volunteers to assist persons who have identified a need for assistance.