Purpose
The purpose of this guide is to encourage and facilitate equal access for all participants at Contemporary Choir events and activities.
As a society, we pride ourselves on providing an inclusive space where everybody is welcome and can participate fully. To that end, we aim to provide a range of possible adjustments to accommodate different access requirements and visibly promote our status as an accessible community.
This guide supports our efforts by outlining the society’s accessibility systems and practices in an effort to develop a more holistic approach to access.
Accessibility and committee
The Outreach Secretary is the society’s designated accessibility lead. This makes them responsible for making activities accessible and ensure needs of known attendees are met. It is also their responsibility to spread awareness of the society’s access provisions amongst members and the wider public.
All committee members are strongly encouraged to complete the Student Guild’s Accessibility resource as part of training.
Accessibility in event publicity
Alt text and video captions will be used in all online publicity, where applicable.
Access statements will be included in all event descriptions to make observers aware of available adaptations to enable them to participate fully in the event.
Accessibility Badge
The Student Guild’s Accessibility Badge is an important way in which the society can indicate its commitment to allowing everyone to participate in its events. We have been awarded it for 2021/22.
To maintain the society’s Accessibility Badge, the following must be renewed annually and evidenced to the Guild:
- At least 3 committee members should complete the Student Guild’s Accessibility training resource.
- Access statements should be included in all event announcements.
Indicative access options
This list outlines some of the ways that our society can accommodate various access needs. Whilst some of these are standard practice, most adaptations need to be requested in advance by contacting the Outreach Secretary (or other committee member), so any necessary arrangements can be made.
The list is not exhaustive, so other adaptations may still be accommodated upon request.
Attendees do not have to provide documentation when requesting accommodations and will not be asked about the nature of their disability.
- Rehearsals are held in University lecture theatres, so will have any accessibility facilities available common to these, such as wheelchair accessibility.
- When possible, the committee will book venues that can accommodate any access needs that have been raised in advance.
- Taster rehearsals will be live-streamed online to allow remote access to the session.
- This can continue into later rehearsals if there is demand.
- Sheet music can be printed in a larger format to make them more visible upon request.
- Electronic versions of publicity can be provided on request.
- We can indicate earlier entry times for our events, where helpful.
- We can advise on the best routes to our venues, for example to minimise the use of stairs.
- For events where food is provided, we will provide multiple options to accommodate various dietary requirements.
- At events such as our concerts or bake sales, food will be clearly labelled with ingredients and allergens.
- Seats will be available in rehearsals and we will attempt to provide seating at other events if requested.
Getting in touch
To ask any questions or request an adaptation (whether listed here or not), please contact the Outreach Secretary.
Alternatively, members can submit requests via the society’s suggestions drop box (see weekly emails or our members’ site)
To contact the choir, email contemporarychoir@groups.exeterguild.com or message us on Facebook or Instagram @execontempchoir.