These questions and resources are designed to help you and your staff gain better understanding of the key accessibility areas that all staff and volunteers should know.
ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE AND APPROACH
- Is your entrance and exit accessible to wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers? If not, where is the accessible entrance located, and how do people get there?
- Once inside, is your entire organization accessible to wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers? Do elevators access every floor? Do you offer wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers to check out during a visit? What is this process?
- What is the location, and number, of accessible restrooms? Are they easy to find?
- What is your service animal policy? Don’t have one? Check out Colorado Service Animals Laws.
- Do you have policies regarding staff or volunteers pushing individuals in wheelchairs in your institution?
TRANSPORTATION / GETTING TO YOUR SPACE
- Where are the nearest RTD bus and train drop-off points to your organization? Can you easily describe their locations to visitors? Check out the RTD System Map.
- Where are the nearest accessible parking spots? How many? Are they wide enough for a van with a side lift? Are they free? Paid?
- Where are the nearest accessible drop-off points for groups who have wheelchair users or attendees arriving by Access-a-Ride? Can you easily direct someone to get from the drop-off point to your front door?
ACCESS TO GOODS AND SERVICES
- Do you have a designated contact for accessibility questions? Is this person and their contact information clearly noted on your website and other public materials?
- Do you provide free admission for caregivers or aides?
- If your exhibit/presentation is not fully accessible, is there a discount given to patrons with disabilities who cannot access the entirety of the exhibit/presentation? Is the discount advertised?
- How can visitors request ASL interpretation for public tours and events? Legally, visitors can request ASL interpretation services up to 72 hours in advance. Review our resources for visitors who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing for more information.
- How can visitors request CART services for events (an instant translation of the spoken word into English text)? Check out City of Denver’s Deaf Services Resource Guide.
- Do you have accessible seating? In theatres and performance spaces, as well as seats in museums/galleries. How do people learn about these?
- Do you have captions on all film/sound pieces? If not, do you have printed transcripts available nearby?
- Do you have large print, braille, or audio formats for exhibition texts or printed programs? Look at The Kennedy Center’s guide to Producing and Distributing Large Print and Braille Programs. Locally, contact Team EEI to print in braille.
- Do you provide audio description for performances or tours? If not, what written information can you provide visitors? Exhibition text, scripts, or audio guides? Look to the American Council for the Blind’s Audio Description Project
- Do you provide assistive listening devices for tours or public events? If you don’t own, you can rent these.
- What are your sensory friendly/low-sensory times and spaces? Even if you don’t have a dedicated low-sensory event, you can still identify generally quiet times and spaces at your location (where crowds are low). Here are some tips for performing organizations creating sensory friendly programs from the Lone Tree Arts Center.