With 1.3 billion people worldwide, and one in five Australians, experiencing a significant disability today, accessibility and inclusion should form part of every event and venue management plan. Just as it has been built into ICC Sydney’s operating strategies, it is also an essential consideration for event strategies, to ensure a safe and welcoming experience for all.
ICC Sydney’s welcoming approach to accessibility and inclusion
Here at ICC Sydney, we know that fostering this welcoming environment goes far beyond physical amenities and relies on embedding inclusion into the heart of an organisation’s culture.
As the events industry came together at IMEX Frankfurt, it felt like the ideal moment to share our vision for enabling every visitor, delegate and team member to participate to their fullest and to launch our Accessible and Inclusive Events Guide.
Part of ICC Sydney’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy, and a build on our Accessibility and Inclusion Visitor information, the Guide – a comprehensive resource for event planners – encompasses advice and best practices for creating a welcoming experience for people of all abilities, cultures and identities – reflecting our core ambition to offer unforgettable experiences for all by detailing:
- inclusive language considerations
- tips for inclusive presentations and speaker briefings
- how to create inclusive marketing and communications for your event and delegates
- spaces and facilities available at ICC Sydney for inclusive events, including for people with disabilities and hidden disabilities.
Comprehensive accessibility infrastructure
It also outlines the outstanding infrastructure available at ICC Sydney to drive more accessible events. We have low gradient, step free access across all three venues, accessible toilets, accessible parking, wheelchair accessible parenting rooms, a fully fitted changing place, prayer rooms, sensory friendly rooms, induction loop hearing augmentation systems, Braille door signage and fixed directional signage throughout.
Beyond accessible amenities
Our extraordinary team is just as diverse as our clients and delegates, and their backgrounds and perspectives elevate ICC Sydney’s customer service. Eighty-two different languages are represented across our workforce, and this deep multicultural understanding enables us to make our guests feel seen and heard through authentic experiences and interactions.
We firmly believe that every individual, regardless of their abilities, should have equal access to events and opportunities. By sharing our knowledge and expertise through this new toolkit, we hope to inspire other event organisers worldwide to prioritise accessibility and create environments where everyone can thrive.