Below is our list of accessibility and accommodation commitments that we provide in all workshops. These commitments are standard and do not need to be requested unless otherwise stated below. For any other requests or considerations, you can always reach us at workshops@interactioninstitute.org.
We want to acknowledge that the journey to centering accessibility for all is ongoing, here at IISC and beyond. We believe these commitments need to be honored and expanded upon collaboratively and invite everyone, not just those who have been systematically excluded, to think about these deeply and provide feedback and suggestions on how we may move towards greater accessibility and inclusivity. If at any point you feel your participation, understanding, or comfort may be improved by an additional accommodation, we encourage you to reach out to us and let us know as soon as you feel able to.
Accessibility Commitments and Recommendations
We will send resources in advance of workshop sessions along with the invitation to name any other accessibility or accommodation requests.
We are happy to provide additional technical support in advance, by request.
In all sessions, we can provide automatic (Zoom) captioning upon request. Upon request at the time of registration, we can provide live captioning.
We recommend you are equipped with a quiet, preferably private, space with reliable access to the internet and Zoom for all workshop sessions. If multiple participants are joining the Zoom call from the same location, we recommend everyone be well spaced apart from each other and use headphones that are equipped with microphones. Doing so will reduce the risk and prevalence of audio-feedback and echoes.
We will only let into the Zoom meeting people who have registered. If your Zoom profile name doesn’t match the name you registered with, we’ll chat with you while you’re in the waiting room to confirm your RSVP.
We strongly recommend that you join the workshop on a computer with your video on. Anyone who is unwilling or unable to join the Zoom meeting via computer is welcome to join via telephone.
We will label ourselves (on Zoom) with our names and pronouns. We ask participants to do the same.
The tech and accessibility facilitator will be labeled with an asterisk (*) before their name for easy navigation to their name from the participants list.
We will ask that all participants mute their microphones when not speaking. If we need to, we will mute all participants’ microphones and selectively un-mute people as they’re speaking.
We will speak slowly and use plain language (avoiding jargon and unnecessarily fancy words). If we feel the need to use long or academic terms, we will define them. If we feel this isn’t being honored we will: Remind each other to slow down and use plain language by using the “slow down” or chat functions in zoom, speaking up, or by using other agreed-upon signals.
On our slide decks, we will use large fonts and contrasting colors. We will not use strobing or flashing animations.
When we have a participant who is blind, low-vision, or joining by phone, we will: Ask all participants to identify themselves when they begin speaking, and we will do the same. Describe, or ask participants to describe, visuals on slides.
We will take breaks and pauses – at least one 15-minute break after about 90 minutes, with shorter pauses throughout. If you have any specific requests around timing of breaks please let your trainers know. We encourage all participants to take breaks whenever they need, even if they don’t align with scheduled breaks. If you need to step away, please alert the tech facilitator.
We will include somatic and other changes in rhythm practices to increase accessibility (e.g. stretching, dancing, breathing, etc).
After the workshop, we will send an email with any resources we referred to in the workshop and a request for feedback, including feedback on how accessible the session was.