When it comes to accessibility, many people think of the accessibility of an event for wheelchair users. That is also true. But it is only one area. Accessibility can also benefit many people without disabilities, for example senior citizens, parents with baby carriages, children or people who are only temporarily restricted in their mobility.

The use of plain language with easy-to-understand wording and the frequent use of pictograms helps people with cognitive impairments, but also all those who cannot read well or at all and those who have little command of the German language.

There will never be complete accessibility because there are no limits to accessibility and because new technical and individual solutions are constantly being developed. This checklist is therefore only intended to give those responsible and planners an overview of the options available for planning and offering accessible events and venues.

How which information is given to whom plays a role throughout the event. Especially in the run-up to an event, however, people with disabilities find out about the accessibility of the venue.

No wheelchair user wants to make the journey for nothing only to be told on site that participation is not possible due to insurmountable barriers. And always asking extra questions is tiring and does not convey a feeling of welcome.

Today's wide range of information options makes access much easier for visitors.

• Leaflets, brochures or press articles on events should always include information for people with disabilities (location, site, parking facilities, access, available disabled toilets, special services such as pick-up at the entrance).
• If the event location is registered in the "bonn inklusiv" web app of the Behinderten-Gemeinschaft Bonn e. V., information on the accessibility of buildings and the location of disabled toilets, among other things, can be called up.
• You can develop a service app or "join" an existing app to publish events and information about them (young people in particular use this form of information, for example: Yelp).
• If your venue has a social media presence, it is a good idea to post information on accessibility here too.
• Send information material to associations for people with disabilities to draw attention to specific equipment or offers during the event or use special internet platforms for people with disabilities.

Is your own website barrier-free? (Are the font sizes adjustable, is there a read-aloud function?)

Is the information recognizable by at least two senses (sight, hearing, touch)?

Is information provided according to the "Keep It Shortand Simple" method?

• a clear, easy-to-read sans serif font? (DGUV Meta, Arial, Verdana)
• a high-contrast design for better legibility? (for example, black font on a white background)
• a suitable font size - ideally 14 point?
• bold type for emphasis?
• Braille for important information?
• easy-to-understand language and/or pictograms for important information

• Is the venue accessible by public transport?
• Are there directions for barrier-free arrival and departure by public transport - possibly with a map?
• Are there good directions from the nearest stop to your venue?
• Do you have information on site about barrier-free use of public transport?
• Are disabled parking spaces available? If so, how many?
• Do you allow an assistance dog (guide dog, hearing dog)?

• Is there step-free access to the venue?
  If not, can you offer your guests alternative access?
• Is there a guidance system on the ground or at reach height for blind or visually impaired people?
• Are there orientation aids for people with learning difficulties (e.g. symbolic language, pictograms, colored markings)?
• Do you avoid revolving doors?
• Is the venue accessible for
  - People in wheelchairs
  - People with other mobility impairments (e.g. with a rollator)?
• Are there freely selectable wheelchair spaces at the event?
• Is there a (mobile) inductive hearing system?
• If there is a podium,
  - Is a ramp available if necessary?
  - Is a height-adjustable lectern available?
  - Is good visibility of the speakers guaranteed?
  - Do you avoid using high tables if possible?
• Do you make sure that there are
  - there are no bottlenecks in the venue? Important: a path width of at least 90 cm, including passageways and spaces between
  groups of tables and chairs
  - no objects protrude into the pathways?
  - attention is paid to the high-contrast design/marking of unavoidable obstacles (e.g. glass doors, revolving doors, edges)?
  - cables and hoses are covered with mats or cable bridges?
  - only firmly laid carpeting is laid out (due to possible tripping hazards)?
  - if possible, are tables that can be easily driven under?
  Important: There should be no crossbars under the tables and the lower edge should be 76 cm high.
• Are there floor coverings that are easy to roll on/walk on? (e.g. rubber flooring, stone or parquet flooring)
• Are the controls at an accessible height for wheelchair users and people of small stature?
• Can the doors/controls be used with little effort?
• Are there handrails?
• Are there visual and acoustic information displays?
• Are there visual and audible alarms for emergencies such as fire alarms? Is this also available in the sanitary facilities?
• Are there toilets for people with disabilities?
  Important: toilet accessible from one side by wheelchair, turning circle for wheelchair at least 150 cm
• Are the toilets within easy reach of the event room?
• Do you have soap and dry towels in the sanitary area within easy reach for people of different heights/seat sizes?
• Is there an emergency call system in the toilet area?
• Is there tactile/acoustic information for people with hearing or visual impairments?
• Is there an elevator that can be used by wheelchair users?
• Are there acoustic announcements for the floors?
• Is there glare-free lighting in the elevators, acoustic announcements, illuminated lettering, visual emergency call?
• Are there pictograms indicating toilets, exits, event rooms, elevators, emergency exits and emergency lighting?
• Are escape routes available?
  Is the accessibility of escape routes guaranteed? How are wheelchair users evacuated in the event of a fire?

• Are buffets or food counters arranged in such a way that people in wheelchairs or people of small stature can reach all the food and drinks?
• Are there tables that are easily accessible for people in wheelchairs?
• Are the food and drink menus available in Braille for blind people and in large print for people with visual impairments?
• Is there an illustrated food and drink menu for people with learning difficulties or people who cannot read?
• Are there dishes and cutlery that can also be used by people with gripping difficulties, swallowing difficulties and other limitations? (Glasses with handles, cups without handles, drinking cups with handles or/with lids, drinking straws with bends, high-contrast tableware or white tableware on a dark tablecloth or with a colored rim
• Are there enough service staff available to take care of refilling or to help with the transportation of food?

• Have mobile ramps available to overcome small stairs/thresholds if necessary! (These can be borrowed)
• Offer light chairs/stools to borrow if there are only a few seats available!
• Consider whether there are rest areas with seating or whether these can be created!
  (Important for people with walking disabilities and older people)
• If possible, use seating tables so that people with and without wheelchairs can communicate and eat at the same eye level; use few high tables. If this is not possible for organizational or other reasons, please ensure that the seating tables for people in wheelchairs are not placed at the edge, but in the middle. In this way, you can offer your guests a communal and communicative situation for diverse interaction.
• Are hand-held microphones also offered to the audience if necessary? Can the microphone be held for the speaker during their speech if necessary or are there cloth holders for microphones?
• Is there an information desk in a central location for questions during the event?
• Are your service staff at the information desk and the security staff prepared to deal with any special requirements of people with disabilities?
• For educational events:
  - Are speakers informed about participants with disabilities?
  - When announcing an event without a registration form, is a note given, for example:
  "If you have a possible disability or physical limitation, please inform us of your individual disability-specific needs at an early stage. We will be happy to support you."