Abstract

Proper planning and a good understanding of participant special needs will increase the likelihood of ensuring access for all participants. Mosaica's newsletter, Training Briefs, provides recommendations and resources.

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Issue

Accomodating special needs should be a priority, not an afterthought.

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Action

Follow these proactive suggestions to make training sessions accessible to people with disabilities:

Ensure access at the training location. This includes: accessible entrance areas, parking, elevators, and ramps.

• Make sure there is adequate lighting in the training room, in case your audience includes those people with visual disabilities.
• Ensure that everyone can get to restrooms, pay phones, and water fountains.
• Reserve an area of the room for a sign language interpreter, if one should be needed.
• Make room for those who may be using wheelchairs by leaving one place at each table without a chair.

Use training materials and visual aids appropriately.

• Large, visible, dark-colored type works best on posters and flipcharts.
• Prepare individual copies of presented text and materials, in advance, in case they are requested.
• When using flipcharts or overhead projector, remember to face your audience — this makes it easier for persons with hearing disabilities to receive all the information.

Design training approaches that are appropriate for people with different needs and abilities.

• Use diverse training methods.
• Anticipate the limitations of using physical activities that may exclude persons with limited mobility.
• Include disability issues in case studies and scenarios to reinforce that people with disabilities are everywhere.

Model inclusive language and behavior.

• Be aware that language can hinder or promote a comfortable learning environment.
• Identify individuals as "people first."
• In training sessions with individuals using wheelchairs, sit down whenever possible so that you are at the eye level of the participants.

Respect individuals by not making assumptions and by being attentive.

• Pay attention to nonverbal clues and pause occasionally to make sure participants understand what you are communicating.
• Above all, avoid spending too much time on one person's disability— instead focus on the individual and the topic.

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Context

Mosaica: The Center for Nonprofit Development and Pluralism, provides organizational assessments, strategic and resource development planning, fundraising capacity building, restructuring support, and assistance in financial management and oversight. Other services include board development, program design and delivery, personnel and systems management, volunteer activities, community involvement and community building, community organizing and advocacy, program evaluation, and coalition building.

The goal of Mosaica is to bring together individuals with diverse voices and experience to create an organization with a set of common values. Mosaica was established out of a commitment to social justice and a belief that within the United States and throughout the world, societies that strive for democracy, human rights, peace, individual opportunity, and pluralism must be built and maintained from the bottom up-community by community, group by group — with the active involvement of nonprofit organizations and a strong independent sector. Mosaica helps strengthen nonprofits so they can provide high quality services and advocacy in a sustainable, well-run fashion that supports communities.

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Citation

Mosaica's Training Briefs. Washington, D.C.: Corporation for National and Community Service, no.12, (February 1999).

*Training Briefs were produced by Mosaica under Cooperative Agreement #98CADC009 with the Corporation for National and Community Service during July of 1997 through October of 1999.

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Posted On

August 28, 2001

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For More Information

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Resources

See Ensuring Access to Your Training Session for more information as well as an activity on disability awareness.

Source Documents

Training Briefs, No. 12

Related Practices

• Assessing the accessibility of your organization
• Making your meetings accessible to persons with disabilities

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Related sites

United Cerebral Palsy Association/Access AmeriCorps

ABLEDATA

Topic Areas

• Development
• Disability inclusion
• Diversity
• Supervision
• Training
• Capacity building
• Nonprofit management
• Sustainability
• NSIP
• Program management

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