Do you have disabled girls in your unit? Are you disabled? Chances are you are unconsciously adjusting your programme and arrangements every week.
But what happens when you want to take part in a large scale event? How will everyone’s needs be met when there are hundreds or even thousands of people attending?
If you’re not disabled, and not aware that anyone is within your unit, how can you promote inclusion?
Here’s our experience from Wellies and Wristbands.
Make a plan
‘Be Prepared ‘ is the traditional guide motto, and planning ahead is essential for big events.
This is where Girlguiding’s Adjustment plans come in handy. Use the template to record the adjustments you think may be needed. Then, with permission, share them with event organisers and your leadership team.
Some girls and families will be keen to do this with you, however others may be unsure. This may be because
- they feel it might negatively impact on opportunities available
- their condition hasn’t yet been formally diagnosed
- they don’t want to be singled out
- they want to take part just like their peers
- their condition “isn’t a big deal”
In these situations we can explain that the Adjustment Plan helps ensure the girl doesn’t miss out on anything at this special event. In fact, it helps us offer more exciting opportunities.
Likewise, adults may sometimes also be reluctant to put a plan in writing. It may mean acknowledging that they have a disability, which can be hard to come to terms with.
It’s important that we normalise planning like this. Making accessibility and inclusion a regular conversation creates a space where people can share their needs with confidence.
Adjustment plans don’t need to be complicated. Focus on the changes and adaptations which you think would be helpful. You don’t need to disclose any medical history or details of the disability to be included.
Templates are available for Unit Meeting Adjustment Plans for both young members and volunteers. These include more general details about sensory, mobility and other needs. Getting adjustments right at unit meetings can make it easier when it’s time to plan for trips, camps, events etc.
Bigger events can mean bigger challenges
Everything is on a different scale at a large event. Distances are bigger. Queues are longer. Days are more hectic. Lights are brighter. Rooms are noisier.
For many of us (disabled people included) this is all part of the fun! However it brings its own challenges.
Some disabled people talk about the “spoons” they need to get through the day as a way of communicating the energy it takes just to exist. Large events take a lot more spoons!
But what kinds of adjustments might be helpful?
- Information in advance
- Additional mobility aids and equipment
- No queue options / timed return
- Additional breaks
- Seating, space to lie down, quiet rooms
- Special foods or food preparation space
- Inclusive communication
- Accessible toilets
- Physical assistance, e.g. with luggage
- Designated and/or accessible parking
- Ear defenders, sunglasses, stim items
- Facemasks
- A carer or support person
The Accessible guiding grant may be able to fund any additional costs.
Planning ahead goes a long way to make events more inclusive. However the reality is that challenges may well come along at the event itself.
Advocate for your needs
Sometimes your needs won’t have been fully understood or accommodated in advance.
In fact, sometimes you won’t have fully recognised yours or your girls needs in advance because you are used to operating in familiar, safe spaces.
In these situations, advocacy is vital. Here are some ways this can work.
- Asking for help. Helping others is part of our Guide Law. People may not know you need help unless you ask. They won’t want to assume.
- Wearing a sunflower lanyard is a helpful way of communicating that you are disabled if your disability is not visible.
- If asking for help is difficult, many people use cards on a lanyard which say what they need.
- Encourage girls and leaders to advocate for each other. It can be exhausting for disabled people to have to keep asking for their needs to be met. Sharing the load can be very helpful. Sometimes it’s easier to speak up for someone else than it is yourself.
- Take it to the top. If your needs aren’t being met, don’t be afraid to go directly to event organisers. They may not be aware of the challenges you are facing. Once they are aware, they can help make sure the right support is put in place.
What does that look like in practice?
When a young member looks at the queue to meet their favourite band of the evening and realises that they’ll be in too much pain to have a good night’s sleep and make it through the next day, it is absolutely okay for them to present themself (with a friend or two!) at the front of the queue and ask to skip the queue or be given a time to return. They do not have to miss out on opportunities like these.
Young people may be used to adults speaking for them, and large Girlguiding events can be a safe space for them to advocate for their own needs.
The message for these girls is to ask for what they need, but let their leader know if their needs aren’t met.
We were delighted when a girl was able to ask for what she needed at the special diets counter, even though her needs fell outside the typical special diets (gluten free, dairy free etc).
Knowledge is power
The ideal scenario is where the disabled person, the people close to them, and event organisers know what adjustments will be needed.
That is one reason to start thinking about your Adjustment Plans long before a large event. When you are used to attending a venue which works for you, and being around people who know what you need, it’s easy to forget what adjustments are in place until they’re not!
Plan with inclusion in mind
While everyone’s needs are slightly different, as an even organiser, here are some things you can be preparing for.
- Clear access routes
- Good signage
- Quiet spaces
- Accessible digital information
- A point of contact for access needs – someone who is empowered to include disabled people
Everyone benefits when disabled people are included – the event experience becomes safer and more enjoyable for all.
The team at Girlguiding South West England have put together this helpful inclusion checklist for events organisers.
Remember that you can’t see all disabilities, and that some people with visible disabilities will also have hidden or invisible disabilities. Try not to assume what people can or can’t do. It’s great to offer support options, but disabled people (or in some cases their carers) will tell you what they need themselves if they feel safe to do this.
So while we keep our fingers crossed that we’ll be able to return to Wellies and Wristbands in 2024 and beyond, let’s remember our purpose.
We help all girls know they can do anything
Contact your commissioner or inclusion@girlguidingsomerset.org.uk for advice.
Girlguiding Somerset county 