Speaker 1: Hi, I'm Jessica Rafuse at Microsoft. I want to share a few tips on providing disability accommodations at your events. The most important first step for any inclusive event is to solicit requests for accommodations early and often from your attendees. We want to give attendees the opportunity to request accommodations such as sign language interpreters, braille and large print, and quiet rooms. The language we use at Microsoft is, Microsoft strives to create an inclusive and accessible experience for all attendees. If you require an accommodation for a disability, please email us two weeks prior to the event. If an attendee with a disability responds to this solicitation, it will trigger an interactive process between the event planning team and the requester to better understand and implement the request. When selecting a venue for your event, ensure that the venue itself is accessible for a broad range of disabilities. For example, research the venue's proximity to public transportation, bus lines and transit centers, and wheelchair-accessible transportation alternatives. Look for parking within a short distance of the event entrance with designated disability parking stalls, a stepless entrance, automatic doors, access to elevators, all-gender or companion restrooms with ample space and grab bars, and a tactile pathway are a great start to offering accessible venue features to attendees with mobility disabilities. Use this exploration period to think through the ways to make the venue even more accessible, such as clear signage for elevators and emergency exits, organizing your event sessions to minimize travel across multi-level spaces, and a variety of seating options. Providing conference materials such as PowerPoint slides, agendas, and videos prior to the event gives people with disabilities an opportunity to review the materials in advance in a format that works best for them. People with some learning disabilities, those who use screen readers, and enthusiastic attendees will appreciate the advance time to consume the content prior to the big day. Electronic materials should be made accessible using the Accessibility Checker in Microsoft Office. When sending out materials in advance of your event, it's a good time to remind attendees to refrain from wearing products with fragrance, such as perfume and cologne. Many attendees with chemical sensitivities, lung conditions, or allergies require a fragrance-free environment. Any printed materials made available at the event should also be made available in alternative formats, if requested, such as Braille or large print. Consider your event agendas, speaker bios, and venue maps. Don't forget Braille and large print menus as well. When setting up the venue, ensure that there is enough space in aisles for wheelchair access and service animals. Those hard-working dogs also deserve a bowl of fresh water and designated relief areas. Upon request, include a ramp with railings if you have an elevated stage for presenters. Review architectural guidelines to ensure a safe ramp slope. Reserve quiet rooms, cuddle corners, or other methods of calm and relaxation during busy events. Your deaf or hard-of-hearing attendees may request sign language interpreters for the event. Sign language varies from country to country, so work with your attendees to determine the appropriate sign language interpretation for international events. Provide the sign language agency with your event agenda well ahead of the event to allow sufficient time for scheduling. Remember, it's the Microsoft policy to strive to provide interpreters that empower deaf or hard-of-hearing attendees to participate in all aspects of the event. That would include general sessions, breakout sessions, networking receptions, and activities as well. You should schedule enough interpreters to cover platform or main stage interpreting as well as one-on-one or small group conversations. Catering buffets are often an efficient means for serving a large number of attendees quickly. But they can be challenging for inclusion of people with disabilities. At catering stations, display menus and individual food cars in braille and large print if requested. Set up stations to give attendees options by organizing buffets on both high and low tables. People who use wheelchairs, people of short stature, as well as people who prefer not to bend will appreciate the option of both table heights when attempting to plate their food. Have trained volunteers available to assist attendees if needed. Provide both real-time captioning and captioned videos. The Captioning for Events at a Glance video has more information on how to do this. Set event staff and speakers up for success by delivering disability inclusion trainings to both groups prior to the event. People with disabilities themselves often serve as the very best trainers on disability etiquette and best practices. Check out our video on inclusive presentations to learn how you too can deliver an accessible speaking engagement. Lastly, follow up with an accessible survey to attendees to request feedback on how you can continue to provide inclusive and accessible events. Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit microsoft.com slash accessibility.