A new report reveals that despite good intentions and glossy inclusion statements, most events still fall short on true accessibility
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If your venue has a ramp and a reserved seat near the front, congratulations — you’re halfway to nowhere.
A new report from The Business of Events and ICC Wales just dropped a truth bomb on the industry: 93% of disabled delegates still face barriers when attending events. Let that sink in. Nearly every attendee with a visible or invisible disability has hit a wall — often literally — when trying to fully participate.
For an industry that prides itself on creating unforgettable experiences, we seem to be creating a few too many for the wrong reasons.
The Fine Print No One Reads (But Everyone Feels)
Launched at IBTM World, the report—Access All Areas: Closing the Accessibility Gap in Events—surveyed over 1,000 recent attendees. Nearly one in three identified as having a disability. Of those, a whopping 93% reported obstacles ranging from inaccessible layouts to overstimulating environments, understaffed support, and missing pre-event information.
It’s a sobering reflection of an industry that, on paper, looks better than it feels. Venues say they’re equipped: 82% claim step-free access, 91% boast accessible toilets, and 75% report their staff have had disability awareness training.
But attendees aren’t feeling that support where it counts — on the show floor, at the registration desk, or when they’re just trying to find the bathroom.
This Isn’t a Favor—It’s a Baseline
Here’s where it gets worse: nearly half of venues admit they sometimes charge extra for accessibility upgrades. Think gender-neutral restrooms, ramped stages, or private quiet zones. Planners, if that made your blood pressure spike, you’re not alone.
Delegates overwhelmingly reject this practice — and rightly so. Accessibility isn’t a premium add-on. It’s not the deluxe tier of human rights. It’s basic infrastructure. And pretending otherwise isn’t clever budgeting. It’s discrimination with a glossy lanyard.
As Dr. Shani Dhanda, the accessibility consultant behind the report, puts it: “This isn’t just a report — it’s a rallying cry. The time for quick fixes and reactive adjustments is over.”
In her words, accessibility needs to be baked into event design — not duct-taped on the day before the welcome mixer.
The Ball Is in Your Court
The gap between venue confidence and delegate experience isn’t just about who installs the ramp. It’s about who owns the entire experience.
For planners, this is about more than compliance. It’s about brand equity, attendee trust, and frankly, professional integrity. If 93% of your disabled attendees are encountering barriers, no amount of post-event NPS will cover that crack. Planners curate every detail from swag to signage — it’s time accessibility got the same full-spectrum attention. According to Craig Bingham, Managing Director at ICC Wales,“Inclusive design should be a baseline expectation, not a bolt-on or a budget decision.”
And he’s walking the walk. ICC Wales has embedded accessibility into its team training, venue layout, and operations — not because it checks a box, but because it sets a standard.
The Disconnect Is Deep — But Not Inevitable
The report doesn’t just spotlight the gaps — it offers a roadmap. With twelve key themes and ten industry recommendations, it lays out a clear framework: rethink your policies, reassess your physical spaces, retrain your people, and rewrite your communications.
It also urges the industry to align with the European Accessibility Act (in force as of June 2025), which makes many of these changes not just ethical, but mandatory. Mike Fletcher from The Business of Events says, “We’re not here to shame. We’re here to spark collaboration and turn good intentions into meaningful change.”
Time to Raise the Floor
Accessibility isn’t a hurdle. It’s an opportunity — to expand your audience, deepen loyalty, and differentiate your brand.
It’s not just the right thing to do — it’s the smart thing to do. Because the events aren’t just immersive and experiential. They’re also inclusive by design — not by accident.
So the next time you walk a venue floor, just remember: you shouldn’t need wheels, a visual impairment, or sensory sensitivities to care. You just need a badge that says “planner.”
Now’s the moment to earn it.
Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.
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