Access: CHWA Conference 2023

Theo & Bobby – members of Barnsley SEND Youth Forum and Barnsley Youth Council standing in front of The Way Ahead art installation created with disabled artist, Caroline Cardus
Barnsley SEND Youth Forum and Barnsley Youth Council, and The Way Ahead, a collaboration with artist Caroline Cardus & Barnsley Civic

A note on access

 

CHWA follows the social model of disability. We understand that access is a deeply personal and ever evolving area of learning. We understand, too, that some people may not immediately identify as having needs that relate to an access requirement, but that would help them feel more comfortable, supported or at ease throughout the conference. Examples of this could include:

  • Advance information and pictures of venues to help you plan and navigate

  • Knowledge of safe and designated quiet spaces

  • Pictures and biogs of staff, plus any specialist skills they might have, for example Mental Health First Aiders, Dementia Awareness or additional languages

  • A walking video to the venue for those arriving via public transport

  • The ability to request being seated in a certain place, eg. near an exit, or a bathroom

  • The ability to request help or adjustments with meal and refreshment breaks

A woman in a pink tutu emerging from a box with her arm held out. She wears a back support
John Slemensek and Barnsley Civic

Working with Cloverleaf Advocacy, My Barnsley Too and our national conference working group, we are working to create an accessible event.

Here are some of the key elements we are working on following consultation and advice:

A group of older people and nurses, listening to live music. Some are dancing, clapping and smiling.
Paul Starr Essex County Council

  • Offering free companion tickets to those unable to attend independently 

  • Offering opportunities for attendees to share their specific access needs with us in advance
     
  • Committing to curating panels and breakouts that are representative 
     
  • Conference staffed with approachable, friendly people with specialist skills and knowledge, including Mental Health First Aiders
     
  • Captioning for all key panels and filmed/ streamed activities
     
  • BSL for all key panels ( digital and in-person) and providing additional support in breakouts when requested. Please note: We want to avoid being tokenistic in our access offer. Therefore, if BSL is not required, we will redirect these funds to other emerging areas of access.
     
  • Creating quiet and safe spaces aside from the main conference activities - including different ways for people to connect remotely and participate in person.
     
  • The CHWA conference will also be searchable on the Safe Places app throughout the conference days, providing a key of places across the town centre that can provide sanctuary in crisis or space to relax
  • Information sharing - providing as much information up front as possible about venues and the programme
     
  • Considering timings and scheduling of the conference - for information processing, energy levels and for people being able to access around caring responsibilities
     
  • Physical signage - ensuring the event has visually strong way-finding 
     
  • Keeping the ticket costs as low as possible - working with partners to secure bursaries to support freelance/ unsalaried people and small organisations
     
  • Most of the venues are part of the Breastfeeding Welcome Here Scheme.

Carers and those with Dependants

If you would like to attend the conference and have someone that you care for, please do get in touch with us on [email protected] to see how we can support you.

Venues

Here are all the AccessAble links and access information for the confirmed conference venues.

The main venue for the conference is Barnsley Civic.

The Civic's How to Get Here and Access page includes videos from the main transport links.

Breakouts and events are taking place across venues. Click on the names for the AccessAble or access information.

 

Access guides for all venues are available on AccessAble 

 

Most of the venues are also part of the Barnsley Safe Places Scheme ( part of the Safe Places National Network).

 

NB: This page is a live document and will be updated the more we learn through our planning process.

If you have any ideas of how we can improve accessibility or what we need to be thinking about, please write to us at [email protected]. We aim to reply to all access related enquiries within 7 days, but during busy periods this may take up to 2 weeks

 

My Barnsley Too Logo, Cloverleaf Advocacy Logo and Barnsley Safe Places Logo

 

Making Change: CHWA National Conference 2023

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