Why is this a problem?
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
Ways to address the barrier
Allocate a dedicated accessibility budget
Long-term Actions
- Ensure each technical committee has access to funds for essential accommodations (e.g., interpreters, captioners, accessible tools)
- Consider budgeting for administrative assistance or training on facilitation that centers inclusion
Barriers these actions address
- No funding for accessibility accommodations
Build in travel funding
Long-term Actions
- Create a travel fund to help cover extra costs like accessible hotels, support workers, or accessible transportation.
- Set aside emergency funds for unexpected access needs during travel.
- Provide clear information about what is covered and what is not
- Offer travel grants that people can apply for easily.
- Make the funding process simple, accessible, clear and quick.
Barriers these actions address
- Recruiting for diversity
- Inaccessible in-person meetings
- Lack of financial support or payment
- No funding for accessibility accommodations
- Travel barriers for D/deaf and D/disabled people
Create a shared support system
Long-term Actions
- Collaborate with other organizations and SDOs to provide and coordinate accessibility services for joint initiatives and events
- Advocate for system-wide access funds modelled after successful initiatives like the Swedish Disability Rights Federation which is the national umbrella group for disability organizations in Sweden. It speaks on behalf of the Swedish disability movement, raises awareness about disability issues, and provides advice to the government, parliament, and national authorities.
Barriers these actions address
- No funding for accessibility accommodations
- No clear way to report problems or get help
- Unclear participation information
- Lack of organizational support
- Lack of financial support or payment
Help with travel planning
Quick Actions
- Share travel guides and advice from disabled and Deaf people who have previously attended similar meetings.
- Make a shared document or online space where people can share travel tips, resources, and experiences.
- Match first-time travelers with a “buddy” who has similar access needs and has traveled internationally before.
- Assign an accessibility contact person for each in-person meeting, including someone available at the venue to help.
- Provide an accessibility guide for each host city, with local information and tips.
- Offer a travel checklist and packing list that includes medications, mobility aids, chargers, and required documents, and provide information about possible travel restrictions when crossing international borders (for example, rules related to carrying certain medications, medical supplies, or assistive devices).
- Arrange a contact person for travel questions and support.
- Share information about accessibility at the venue including entrances, elevators, and bathrooms.
- Provide clear details about transportation including accessible taxis and public transit options.
Barriers these actions address
- Inaccessible in-person meetings
- Consultation fatigue in D/deaf and D/disabled communities
- No funding for accessibility accommodations
- Travel barriers for D/deaf and D/disabled people
Provide monetary compensation and financial support
Quick Actions
- Compensate D/deaf and D/disabled participants who are not affiliated with an organization for their time, expertise and contributions.
- Create funding programs that cover:
- compensation
- travel and accommodation for in-person meetings
- assistive technologies and communication supports (e.g., sign language/interpretation, real-time captioning)
- training programs to build understanding of standards development
- staff accessibility training
- Partner with disability-led organizations to co-develop funding mechanisms and engagement strategies.
Barriers these actions address
- Lack of financial support or payment
- No funding for accessibility accommodations