Virtual Accessible Bilingual Conference Planning: The Parks Accessibility Conference

Alison Whiting, Yashoda Sharma, Manjit Grewal, Zeyad Ghulam, Waqas Sajid, Neha Dewan, Melanie Peladeau-Pigeon and Tilak Dutta ()
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Alison Whiting: KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada
Yashoda Sharma: KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada
Manjit Grewal: KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada
Zeyad Ghulam: KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada
Waqas Sajid: KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada
Neha Dewan: KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada
Melanie Peladeau-Pigeon: KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada
Tilak Dutta: KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: Virtual events have become more popular recently, and while these events have the potential to be inclusive to a broader range of attendees, there is limited information available on how to plan and deliver a virtual, accessible, and bilingual event. The objective of this paper is to share how our team planned and delivered a virtual conference that was fully bilingual and accessible to individuals with disabilities by incorporating closed captions, sign language interpretation, language interpretation (audio), regularly scheduled breaks, and a multi-sensory experience. We describe our approaches to planning the conference, such as including individuals with disabilities in decision-making, selecting virtual conference platforms, captioners, and interpreters, and how we incorporated a multi-sensory experience. The paper also summarizes feedback we received from our attendees using a post-conference evaluation survey and our team’s reflections on positive aspects of the conference and opportunities for improvement. We conclude by providing a set of practical recommendations that we feel may be helpful to others planning virtual accessible bilingual conferences in the future.

Keywords: disabilities; virtual conference; Zoom Webinar; accessible communication; national parks; Parks Accessibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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