Many rural community events take place inside community buildings and often these buildings are older and have historical significance. In considering rural accessibility, it is important to find ways to balance the needs of people with disabilities with the desire to preserve community history.

Below are a number of things to consider, with some ideas for how to find solutions to meet everyone’s needs.
One event we visited took place in a historical ghost town.
Although no-step back entries had been created during the ‘90s after the passage of the ADA, only one person we talked to knew about them. Several others shared that they couldn’t go into the buildings and that they found alternatives to enjoying them such as sending a husband in with a camera. The community was resistant to signage because it takes away from the historical nature of the ghost town.
In this situation, an alternative to signage might be having several accessibility ambassadors to let people know about the accessible entries sprinkled across the town dressed in frontier style clothing like the other volunteers.
Parking

Not only is accessible parking necessary for people with disabilities, having a clearly marked passenger drop-off area and clear pathways to entrances makes it easier for older people and for people with small children in strollers to get into your event.
Accessibility considerations: | Link for more information: |
Enough accessible parking | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit |
Accessible parking is clearly marked | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit , Event Accessibility Checklist |
Passenger drop-off area near accessible entrance | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit , Event Accessibility Checklist , Self-assessment tool for ensuring access for people with disabilities |
Level and unobstructed pathways from parking area to entrances | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit , Self-assessment tool for ensuring access for people with disabilities |
Bathrooms

Everyone needs to be able to have a restroom they can easily access and use. Make sure bathrooms have clear signs, and are easy to get to.
Accessibility considerations: | Link for more information: |
Accessible bathrooms onsite | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit , Self-assessment tool for ensuring access for people with disabilities , Event Accessibility Checklist |
Clear signage for accessible bathrooms | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit , Self-assessment tool for ensuring access for people with disabilities , Event Accessibility Checklist |
Path to bathroom unobstructed and wheelchair accessible | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit , Self-assessment tool for ensuring access for people with disabilities , Event Accessibility Checklist |
Walkways

Clear walkways benefit everyone, not just people with disabilities. Parents with strollers or small children, older adults, and other groups will also appreciate having safe and unblocked walkways.
Accessibility considerations: | Link for more information: |
Clear and unobstructed pathways to all activities and services | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit , Self-assessment tool for ensuring access for people with disabilities , Event Accessibility Checklist |
Ramps at all steps or uneven surfaces | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit , Self-assessment tool for ensuring access for people with disabilities |
Handrails on each side of all stairways | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit , Self-assessment tool for ensuring access for people with disabilities |
Entrances

If people can’t get in, they can’t participate. Make sure everyone can access your event.
Event Rooms & Materials

Once people are inside your event, make sure they can easily and safely get to every room. Each room and event needs to be set up in a way so that everyone can access the presentation, vendor booths, or displays.
Programming

If your event has any speakers, videos, or other types of presentations, different types of accommodations need to be made available.
Accessibility considerations: | Link to more information: |
All video presentations have closed captions | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit , Self-assessment tool for ensuring access for people with disabilities |
Interpreters for any needed language, including ASL, available for all activities | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit , Self-assessment tool for ensuring access for people with disabilities |
All media and materials are in accessible formats | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit , Self-assessment tool for ensuring access for people with disabilities |
Areas are well lit and have adjustable lighting | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit , Self-assessment tool for ensuring access for people with disabilities |
Service Animals

Some people who use service animals also use mobility equipment, such as a wheelchair or scooter. Make sure service animal areas are also accessible for mobility equipment users.
Accessibility considerations: | Link to more information: |
Accessible toileting area | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit |
Water bowls | |
Hallways and aisles are wide enough to accommodate mobility equipment and service animals | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit , Self-assessment tool for ensuring access for people with disabilities |
Adequate space in sitting areas for service animals |
Meals

It’s all about the food! Sharing meals together are an important part of many community events. It’s important to make sure that everyone is included at the table- and that they can get to the table.
Accessibility considerations: | Link to more information: |
Chairs with arms available | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit |
Specialty diets and food sensitivities are accommodated | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit |
Labels and allergy warnings are clear and obvious, and and are labeled with accessible signs. | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit |
Food that can be eaten without utensils is available | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit |
Seating is separate from the food serving area, and able to be rearranged | Planning accessible meetings and events: A toolkit |
