Accessibility Guidelines for community adaptation

A resource created by Aleks Eikinas, Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Lead Fellow and Connecticut College Class of 2026. 

Just as all oppression is interlinked, the liberation of Disabled people is essential for transformative justice and moving forward as a society. If a movement is not accessible, it is not truly anti-racist nor radical. Disruption of socio-political concepts of disability and its construction is essential to a just and equitable revolution. 

Creating an accessible movement not only directly exercises fundamental theories in disability justice, but it also makes your space welcoming and safe for Disabled folks. 

The following outlines best practices for accessibility. However, true access is not a one-size-fits-all. The most important facet of universal design and increasing your accessibility is to center the lived experiences and needs of those in the group. This list is not comprehensive, but a start. Hopefully, conversations surrounding access needs, capacities, and radical rest are ignited-- fostering interdependence and true accessibility. 

Visual Materials 

Communications

  • Advertising and invitation materials should include an access statement 

    • “Contact _____ with accessibility needs”

  • Advertising and invitation materials should include details about accessibility (of event, programming, etc

Visual Layout 

  • Colors

    • High contrast colors, always check with the contrast checker

    • Avoid common color-blindness color combinations, such as green and red or blue and purple 

  • Background 

    • Keep backgrounds simple 

    • Avoid using complex images or neon colors in the background

    • Use lots of blank space 

      • Line height spacing is to be at least 1.5 times the font size

      • Spacing following paragraphs is to be at least 2 times the size of the font 

      • Letter spacing is to be at least 0.12 times the font size

      • Word spacing is to be at least 0.16 times the font size

  • Text

    • Only sans-serif fonts are accessible

    • Avoid large blocks of text

    • Ensure letters are large and thick

    • Avoid overusing bold 

    • Avoid all-caps, underlines, and italics. All-caps is permitted for acronyms, and underlining is permitted for hyperlinks

  • Online 

    • Non-decorative images should have alternative text 

    • No flashing or blinking images

    • Hyperlinks need informative titles, not just “here” 

    • All online materials should be screen-reader friendly 

    • All audio should have accurate closed captions

Space, Programming, and Event

Location 

  • Allow step-free access (ground floor or in a building with a functional elevator)

  • Accessible restrooms must have a reasonable and accessible path to them

  • All entrances, paths, and walkways need 36 inch clearance

  • Electrical outlets in accessible seating areas 

  • Have accessible seating dispersed throughout location 

  • Notify guests of accessible parking near location 

  • Ground and/or floor is level and both consistently and sufficiently compact 

Visibility

  • Offer adequate lighting and ask guests for feedback on lighting 

  • Provide verbal descriptions of information presented visually

  • All visual materials must follow as outlined above 

  • Clearly label entrances/exits and bathrooms 

Audibility

  • Request that people face the group when speaking 

  • Direct audio devices towards the audience 

  • All speakers and audio should have sound amplification 

  • Minimize background noise and/or music 

  • Provide written descriptions of information presented via audio 

  • Provide information in written format, if requested 

  • Schedule an American Sign Language(ASL) Interpreter, if needed

  • Accommodate any further auditory access needs, such as assistive listening devices or FM systems 

  • All presented audio should have accurate closed captions

Content/ Activities

  • Avoid flashing lights 

  • Ensure all displays, activities, exhibits, etc., are accessible 

  • Provide descriptive content warnings before flashing images and/or sensitive content is shared 

  • Include resources for participants to get support when sharing sensitive content

  • Include alternative formatting for materials (online and paper, large print, etc.)  

Food and drink

  • Invite participants to assert dietary needs prior to event 

  • Food and drink should be placed in an accessible location, as outlined above

  •  A printed ingredients list should be available for any food or drink shared 

  • If any of the 9 major allergens are present, that needs to be clearly indicated, both printed and verbally