Learning disabled attendance at conferences and symposiums

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently about how learning disabled adults can be and feel more included in events and talks. Many conferences and symposiums lack this voice coming through, with many learning disabled artists not attending in the first place to be part of the discussion. A mixture of things (including a lack of extra support staff) lead to this, but it would be great to work out ways to get more learning disabled artists present at events and sharing their personal knowledge and feedback. Also by hearing directly from these artists we are not making assumptions and hearing directly how they could be more involved in an authentic way.

So my question is: What do learning disabled artists need in order to attend conferences/symposiums for them to feel a significant part of them more and feel that they are being listened to? I spoke with a small group from Mind the Gap Theatre company about this, whilst at the Unlimited Connects: North event late last year. Mind the Gap is one of Europe’s leading learning disability theatre companies that creates work for UK and international audiences. Their answers were as follows:

·      Information should be given/sent out in advance in a simple format with an explanation of certain terms that may be used – at least a week in advance. This gives the artist’s and others time to process the information and speak to others about the topics that may be discussed. This also helps questions to be formed that could be asked if they are not answered on the day.

·      The paperwork on the day should be given out in an easy-read format to everyone on arrival.

·      No jargon to be used – this makes it complicated for everyone. If jargon is used, we find that people often switch off as they do not understand.

·      Panel speakers need to use plain English when speaking and speak slowly so that everyone can try and engage with what is being discussed and said.

·      If people are using a new term like ‘intersectionality’ – this is something that needs explaining in advance in a simple version for all involved.

·      If there are more learning disabled people at events on the panels themselves as well as in the audience, it will encourage more learning disabled people to go to these events and to feel comfortable to attend in the first place.

·      Could everyone be given a buzzer on arrival so they can press it if they don’t understand something. This means that you don’t have to put your hand up and single yourself out when you don’t understand something and will allow more people to then hopefully understand what is being said/discussed.

I’d love to hear from others on how we can add to this list from Mind the Gap, so that moving forwards we can try and make these events (and events in general) more inclusive and widen the voices of the people attending. Post answers in the comments below.