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How Company Get-Togethers Can Be More Inclusive and Accessible

By | Charlie Fletcher

Fostering inclusivity and accessibility is an ethical responsibility for organizations. This shouldn’t be limited to day-to-day business operations, though. It is equally important to extend inclusive principles to company get-togethers, whether these are team-building activities, holiday parties, or company-wide conferences.

After all, not all employees experience such events in the same way. Your employees may experience a range of hurdles as a result of disabilities, cultural differences, or personal circumstances, among others. The last thing you want is for employees to feel they’re less valued because your approach to event planning makes it challenging for them to fully participate and engage.

Let’s explore how you can make your company get-togethers more inclusive and accessible.

Select Environments Mindfully

To create truly inclusive company get-togethers, it is crucial to consider how accessible the environment it takes place in is. Your company must take the time to research venues and understand what accommodations may be necessary. As a result, you ensure that all employees can fully participate and feel comfortable.

When selecting a venue, look for features such as wheelchair ramps, elevators, and accessible parking spaces. Verify that the venue has inclusive restrooms equipped with handrails and sufficient space to maneuver a wheelchair. It is also vital to consider the needs of attendees with visual impairments. Work with venue staff to confirm the presence of braille signage or audio cues that can assist your employees in navigating the event space.

Your environmental considerations also need to extend to the layout of areas where activities are taking place. Ensure that pathways and seating areas are wide enough to accommodate wheelchair users and those with support animals. Arrange any furniture and decorations in a way that allows for easy navigation and doesn’t present additional obstacles for individuals with disabilities.

Remember, too, that truly inclusive event planning involves attending to the needs of employees with sensory sensitivities. Be mindful of excessive noise levels or disruptive lighting. Wherever possible, provide quiet “chill-out” areas, where individuals can decompress if the stimuli at the event become overwhelming.

Cater to Dietary Needs

Company get-togethers are usually going to include some kind of food or drink. It is, therefore, essential to consider the diverse dietary needs of your employees. By offering inclusive food options, you can ensure that all attendees feel welcome and accommodated.

Some of the most important considerations here are in relation to medical dietary needs. For instance, individuals living with diabetes often need to manage their sugar intake carefully. Instead of serving the usual high-sugar cakes at celebratory events, consider offering alternatives using sugar-free cake recipes or low-sugar dessert options. This is a relatively small adjustment, but it can make a significant difference for employees with diabetes.

Additionally, some of your employees might have gastrointestinal conditions that require a low-residue diet. This involves limiting the amount of high-fiber foods people on such diets consume. It is crucial, then, to ensure there are appropriate foods available, which may include dipped pretzels, fruit popsicles, a range of meats, and cooked vegetables. Work closely with your caterers to identify foods that are both suitable and delicious.

Remember, though, that some dietary elements are the result of choice as well as necessity. An inclusive event must have options for those who are vegetarian or vegan. It’s important, too, to provide information on the foodstuffs available. Make sure foods with alternative ingredients are clearly labeled so that employees can make independent choices without having to enquire with catering staff.

Create an Inclusive Culture

Company get-togethers shouldn’t just be inclusive as a result of a mindful planning approach. Rather, the aim should be to ensure that your company fosters an inclusive culture throughout all actions. By keeping inclusion at the heart of your company, you may find that this naturally extends to your get-togethers. This is because the employees creating and attending such events already incorporate related practices into everything they do, based on a solid understanding of and respect for how vital inclusivity is to the business.

Your business should start by embracing diversity every day. Celebrate and value the differences of your employees. Recognize and respect their unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Organize events and activities that celebrate different cultures, traditions, and holidays. This might include cultural food days, diversity awareness campaigns, or team-building days that promote understanding and appreciation of different backgrounds.

It’s also important to base your inclusive business and — by extension — events on clear communication. Encourage open and honest discussion among employees on the topic of inclusivity. Make your company a safe space where individuals can express their opinions, concerns, and ideas without fear of judgment or discrimination. From here, you can not only create a better workplace for a wide range of people but also gain insights into how you can make your get-togethers more positive for everyone.

Wherever possible, though, make sure you involve employees in the design and planning of any events. Talk to them about your ideas and give them a chance to voice their suggestions or concerns related to inclusivity. This can make your company get-togethers more accessible for everyone and empower employees to feel more meaningfully involved with creating a positive company culture.

 

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