Disability Inclusion: Accessible Events

Design events where everyone can participate — not just attend.

If 1 in 5 Australians live with disability, how accessible are your events? Public events are meant to bring people together. But without intentional planning, barriers can exclude older adults, families with young children, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people with disability.

This practical course equips you with tools, frameworks and confidence to design events that are inclusive from the outset, not retrofitted at the last minute.

What You’ll Explore
Foundations of Inclusive Event Design

• What accessibility and inclusion really mean in practice
• The social model of disability and how it reshapes event planning
• Universal design principles for public events

Identifying and Removing Barriers

• Physical, sensory and communication barriers
• Cultural and logistical challenges
• Common “hidden” barriers that are often overlooked

Planning for Accessibility at Every Stage

• Venue selection and transport considerations
• Registration processes and participation requests
• Event layout, signage and assistive technology
• Inclusive communication materials and digital accessibility

Delivering Inclusive Events

• Supporting diverse participation needs on the day
• Creating psychologically safe and welcoming environments
• Managing supports for mobility, sensory and communication needs

Embedding Inclusion Long Term

• Post-event evaluation and continuous improvement
• Advocating for accessible practices within your team
• Integrating inclusion into standard event protocols

Learning Outcomes

• Explain accessibility and inclusion using the social model of disability
• Identify common barriers to participation across physical, sensory, communication and cultural dimensions
• Plan and deliver events that apply universal design principles from concept through to evaluation
• Manage event logistics to support diverse access needs
• Evaluate accessibility outcomes and strengthen future event planning
• Champion inclusive practices within their team or agency

Who Should Attend

• Public sector staff responsible for events, consultations, forums and training
• Event coordinators and project officers
• Community engagement and stakeholder liaison staff
• Managers overseeing public engagement or consultation
• HR, diversity and inclusion leads
• Anyone committed to creating respectful and accessible public environments

Benefits to You and Your Organisation

• Plan events that genuinely reflect community diversity
• Increase attendance and participation
• Reduce reputational and legal risk
• Strengthen compliance with accessibility obligations
• Build community trust and credibility
• Embed inclusive practice as standard business, not a special initiative