The following checklist can help you in choosing a building for your event or minimizing physical barriers in the building you have chosen.
1. Entrance
a. Does the entrance have steps, a threshold, or other physical barriers? If so, is there a ramp to enable someone in a wheelchair to enter the building?
b. Are the doors wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair?
c. Can the doors be opened by someone in a wheelchair? If they are heavy or difficult to open, you may want to have staff available to assist.
d. If the main entrance is not accessible by wheelchair, is there an alternate wheelchair accessible entrance? If so, is there signage clearly indicating the location of the alternate wheelchair accessible entrance?
e. If the entrance is accessible by means of a lift, is the lift in good working condition? If the lift is operated by a key, do event staff have possession of the key? Is there someone available who knows how to operate the lift?
2. Path of Travel to the Building Entrance
a. Is there a path of travel accessible by wheelchair from the street to the event location which will enable people in wheelchairs to reach the building in which the event is located?
b. Are sidewalks even and in good repair?
c. Are there curb cuts?
d. Are sidewalks clear of ice, snow, or other debris?
3. Parking
a. If parking is provided as part of your event, are "disabled parking" spaces provided as well?
4. Path of Travel within the Building
a. Is there a level path of travel from the wheelchair accessible entrance to the room or rooms where the event is located? If there is not, are there ramps to enable someone in a wheelchair to reach the event? Lifting someone over steps or stairs is not an acceptable solution for access to the event location.
b. Are corridors and door widths adequate for passage of a wheelchair?
c. Are pathways which might be used during the event free of obstacles or protruding objects?
d. If the event is on a floor above the ground level, is there an elevator which can accommodate a wheelchair user? Is the location of this elevator clearly indicated?
5. Restrooms
a. If there are restrooms for the general public, are there also wheelchair accessible restrooms in the same location? If not, are there wheelchair accessible restrooms within a reasonable proximity? If so, is the location of the wheelchair accessible restrooms clearly indicated?
b. If there are no wheelchair accessible restrooms, you may want to consider another location for your event.
6. Refreshments
a. If food is served at the event, is the food service accessible to a person in a wheelchair or with another type of mobility impairment?
b. If the serving is buffet, can a wheelchair user negotiate the spaces around and between the tables?
c. Are food and accessories at a level which can be reached by someone in a wheelchair?
d. If these conditions are not part of the food service arrangement, you may want to consider how to assist people who may have difficulties with serving themselves.
7. Other Amenities
a. If the event location offers public telephones and drinking fountains, are there also telephones and fountains that are accessible to a person in a wheelchair? If not, you may want to think about how people with disabilities can be assisted in using these amenities.
b. If your event makes use of a box office, registration tables, or information booths, are these at an accessible height for a person in a wheelchair? If not, you may want to prepare alternative ways for people with disabilities to purchase tickets, register, or obtain information.
c. If writing surfaces are needed, are they at a wheelchair accessible height? If not, an alternative, such as a clipboard, might be provided.