The Easy to Come Along sign starts to appear in Scouting and Guiding events. Below the sign you can find the sectors that have been specifically considered in the event. Even if an event would not carry the sign, you can contact the event’s leader and discuss about possible obstacles to participation and how to remove them.
Guidelines for event organisers about the use of the sign:
- When you start planning an event, get familiar with the criteria of different sectors in the Easy to Access concept.
- Select the sectors (or even all of them) in which you want participants to have an easy access to your event.
- Use common sense: the Easy to Come Along sign is a promise for participants that the things mentioned in the criteria can be facilitated when necessary. For example, if the participants do not need an accessible toilet, there is no need to get one for the event.
- Inform your district office (and your contact employee if you are organising an event of the Guides and Scouts of Finland) about the Easy to Come Along sectors that will be fulfilled in your event. Then you can add the Easy to Come Along logo to your event description, as well as information on the sectors that will be or can be facilitated in the event.
- When you collect feedback from the event, please also ask how accessibility and the Easy to Come Along experience were realised. You can send best examples of the feedback to Petra Valkonen.
Further information, questions and feedback: Petra Valkonen, tel. 040 718 5721, petra.valkonen@partio.fi
Criteria
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants know that nobody is bullied in the event and everyone can feel they are part of the group.
- An atmosphere, in which everyone can participate and be accepted as they are, has been actively created for the event.
- Prerequisites for getting friends and being part of the group have been actively created for participants.
- Instructions how to operate in the event are made carefully and so clearly that even first-timers are able to follow them.
- The organisers and participants are informed before and during the event that the event is free of bullying, harassment and discrimination.
- The event must have a designated person (e.g. the event’s leader or a separately appointed adult) from whom you can ask help and who takes care of, for example, the processing of bullying or harassment cases.
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants know they will get suitable food in the event.
- The participants’ diets are taken into account without a fuss.
- Allergies are considered when preparing and serving food, doing dishes and in programmes that deal with foodstuff.
- Participants with sensitive or weakened taste have an opportunity to season their food themselves.
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants know that it is possible to participate in the event regardless of their financial situation.
- The total cost for a participant is reasonable.
- Possibilities for exemptions from payment or scholarships have been communicated openly.
- The participation of an assistant is free of charge, or, if costs result from the participation of the assistant, it is possible to collect a payment that covers only actual costs.
- Participants are provided opportunities to borrow necessary personal equipment.
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants know that it is possible to participate in the event regardless of a physical disability.
- It is possible to arrive in the event location using public transport, car sharing or joint transport.
- It is possible to move in the event location with, for example, a wheelchair, an electric scooter or a walking frame, or you can get help for moving.
- Stairs have railings for support.
- Doorsteps, corners, etc., are marked so that it is possible to picture them also in dim lighting.
- There are electricity outlets for charging an electric-powered wheelchair, scooter or similar.
- When necessary, there are options for programmes that require moving.
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants know that it is possible to go to toilet and shower in the event regardless of, for example, gender or physical disability.
- There is a gender-neutral toilet in the event location.
- There is a possibility to use an accessible toilet and shower during the event.
- There is an opportunity to change clothes and wash up privately.
- Animals, living plants or other things that often cause allergies are not brought to indoor facilities in the event.
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants know that there is an opportunity for sufficient rest during the event.
- There is silence at night in the event.
- All have a chance to sleep enough (also those who have night shifts).
- It is possible to withdraw to a quiet/dark place to rest, for example, during a migraine attack or sensory overload.
- For grounded reasons, there is an option to sleep alone.
- There is electricity available for a sleep apnea device or similar.
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants know that also those who need medication can participate in the event.
- The event has first aid equipment and a person responsible for first aid.
- Participants can take their medication in peace and without hurry during the event.
- When necessary, participants can keep their medicine in cold.
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants know they can participate in the event regardless of a sensory disability or sensory defensiveness.
- Displayed presentations have clear fonts and colours. When necessary, pictures and texts in presentations are also verbalised.
- Indoor facilities and access routes have sufficient lighting or there is additional lighting available.
- The event does not have bright, flickering or dazzling lights. If some part of the event includes them, it is mentioned in advance.
- It is possible to take a guide dog along.
- When necessary, there is an alternative to programmes that are solely based on eyesight.
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants know they can participate in the event regardless of a sensory disability or sensory defensiveness.
- The noise level is kept mostly below 80 decibels. If volume is temporarily louder, it is expressed in advance and participants are offered earplugs.
- The event descriptions of seminars and other large meetings include information if the facility has an induction loop.
- When necessary, there is an alternative to programmes that are solely based on hearing.
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants know they can participate in the event regardless of a sensory disability or sensory defensiveness.
- The participants of the event are encouraged to avoid using strong perfumes.
- The detergents purchased by the event organiser are fragrance-free.
- Strong-smelling foods are not handled in poorly ventilated facilities.
- When necessary, there is an alternative to programmes that are solely based on the sense of smell.
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants know that anyone can participate in the event regardless of the level of language skills.
- The language and communication in the event is comprehensible also for those who are not familiar with the Scout slang.
- It is possible to participate in the event in several languages. For example, the programme is in Finnish but you can participate in discussion also in Swedish or English.
- It is possible for participants to get familiar with the programme and its suitability in advance.
- Guides, signposts and instructions have pictures and symbols to support especially those who cannot read well or cannot speak Finnish.
- Participants can take an interpreter of sign language or other language along with them.
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants know that it is possible to participate in the event with small children.
- It is possible to warm up children’s food in the event.
- There is warm washing water available in the event.
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants know that it is possible to participate in the event regardless of their worldview.
- During a spiritual programme, there is also alternative non-religious programme available.
- It is possible to retreat to practice one’s religion during the event.
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants know what kind of programme is available and that the programme is suitable regardless of your gender or background.
- A description has been made of the event and its activities, explaining to whom the event and the activities are suitable.
- If participants are expected to acquaint themselves with event-related material, the material is delivered well in advance.
- The event has an atmosphere that makes it is easy to present specifying questions and ask for more information.
- If possible, the performers and speakers represent different genders and backgrounds.
- The programme is gender-sensitive (assumed gender does not define the programmes or roles available for participants).
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants have an opportunity to express their special needs related to the event.
- Accessibility has been communicated as part of marketing before the registration starts, so that participants are able to assess if they can participate in the event.
- It is explained in connection of marketing if some places are not accessible: there are stairs in the event, there are animals in the same room, the event is held in a tree, etc.
- Possible special needs of participants is asked in connection of registration.
- The registration form details mentions a contact person or body for discussing about special requirements and agreeing on arrangements.
Pay attention to the following matters so that participants can enjoy about event-related social media, website or app regardless of their special requirements.
- Language is understandable and paragraphs are short. Link texts tell about the link target.
- The website or app works in all common devices and browsers.
- You can read the website or app also with screen readers, screen magnifiers, machine reading or other assisting technologies.
- You can use the website also without a mouse.
- The content is available in languages most important for the users.
- Functions are not expressed only with colours. The used colours and their combinations do not prevent, for example, persons with colour blindness or poor eyesight from using the service.
- In time-limited functions, enough time is reserved for reading and using the content.
- Video and audio content has subtitles. Non-textual content such as pictures and tables have a text equivalent with the same content.
- Coding follows the technical WCAG standard that defines contrasts, font size, spacing, colours, marking of titles, navigation, etc.