Build in travel funding

Recruiting for diversity

Even when an organization wants more diverse participation, it may not know how to recruit in an inclusive way.

Important questions to ask:

• Are you always reaching out to the same people or groups?
• Do you mostly recruit through personal or professional contacts, which can leave others out?
• Are your outreach methods accessible and offered in different formats?
• Are you reaching the communities you actually want to include?
• Do you have the time and resources to build trust with underrepresented communities?
• Are your recruitment steps and requirements inclusive, or do they accidentally exclude people?

• Build in travel funding
• Check and improve accessibility
• Make communications multi-modal and consistent
• Promote standards in the communities they affect
• Recruit across D/disability and intersectional identity

Inaccessible in-person meetings

In-person meetings often take place in spaces that are not accessible to everyone. This can make it hard for some people to attend, participate, or feel included.

Common problems include:

• Travel that is long, costly, or hard to access
• Fatigue from travel, especially for people with chronic pain or low energy
• Buildings without ramps, elevators, or accessible restrooms
• Not enough space for wheelchairs or assistive devices
• No power outlets for assistive devices
• No captions or sign language interpreters
• Poor lighting or uncomfortable seating
• People speaking over each other or no microphones used
• No quiet space or flexible breaks
• Networking in informal spaces that aren’t accessible

• Build in travel funding
• Choose accessible meeting spaces
• Help with travel planning
• Provide translation and interpretation for everyone

Lack of financial support or payment

Most standards work is unpaid but takes a lot of time and expertise. Some people get support from their employers, but for many D/deaf and D/disabled people, this is not available. Membership fees and unpaid work make it harder or impossible for them to participate.

• Build in travel funding
• Create a shared support system
• Provide monetary compensation and financial support

No funding for accessibility accommodations

Many organizations don’t set aside money for accessibility. This makes it hard for people with disabilities to fully participate. When there is no dedicated funding, accessibility is often treated as optional instead of essential, which can prevent full participation.

Common problems include:

• No budget for sign language interpreters or live captions
• No support for accessible tools, platforms, or documents
• No help with travel or personal assistance
• Increased stress and fatigue for participants who have to manage accessibility themselves
• No funds for extra staffing needed to support accessibility

• Allocate a dedicated accessibility budget
• Build in travel funding
• Create a shared support system
• Help with travel planning
• Provide monetary compensation and financial support

Travel barriers for D/deaf and D/disabled people

Travel can be harder for D/deaf and D/disabled people, making it more expensive, stressful, and tiring. This can make it difficult to attend in-person meetings, and some members may not be able to participate or may attend under extra strain.

Common problems include:

• Support and guidance problems
  • No clear contact person to help with accessibility planning
  • No guidance on how to arrange accommodations for specific needs
  • Traveling without regular caregiver or personal support.
  • Higher travel stress, physical pain and fatigue because of limited support and long journeys
• Accessibility support issues
  • Not having access to personal equipment or a full technology setup while travelling
  • Risk of mobility equipment being damaged during travel
  • No access to sign language interpreters during travel
• Inaccessible spaces
  • Airports, trains, or taxis that are not fully accessible.
  • Limited information about accessibility in the host city
• Funding and expense problems
  • Extra costs and difficulty finding accessible transport, hotels, or flights
  • Paying out of pocket for mobility equipment, support workers, or special insurance

• Build in travel funding
• Help with travel planning