As organisers of the Job Fairs, we make a special point of making the event accessible to people with disabilities. The registration form asks the guests about any special needs they may have, so that we can make arrangements to open up the Job Fairs to everyone.

The accessibility issue is complex and many-sided, requiring an understanding of technical possibilities, but perhaps more importantly, empathy, openness to other people’s needs and multiple people working together towards a goal. This is why we welcome each of the Exhibitors to take up the challenge of creating, together, a Fairs that is accessible to all those interested.

How do accessibility arrangements work in practice?

1. Good practices in organising an accessible event

• make sure that the MS Teams platform works correctly before the event (applies to online meetings)
• log into the meeting well in advance to have time to work out any technical issues (applies to online meetings)
• make sure you have a stable Internet connection for the meeting (applies to online meetings)
• use headphones and a microphone for maximum sound quality (applies to online meetings)
• ensure good visual quality (applies to online meetings)
• use a good quality camera to make sure that your face appears clearly visible, in proper lighting and against a background that is not too distracting
• make sure you are in a suitable place (no background noise or other distractions) (applies to online meetings)
• announce and introduce the next speaker to the audience
• be concise and speak to the point, don’t hold the floor for longer than necessary 
• prepare your multimedia presentation according to the accessibility guidelines

2. Specific adjustment measures steps

• guests report their special needs in the registration form
• the event coordinators decide what specific adjustment measures can be offered
• the event coordinators contact the relevant company, telling about the need to make accessibility arrangements and how exactly they can be organised
• the meeting proceeds with the accessibility measures in place

Example:

A Job Fair guest fills in the registration form, saying that special accessibility arrangements will have to be made by a specific company (for example, the need for an interpreter of the Polish Sign Language). The event coordinators contact the company with details on the accessibility concerns and how to organise them in practice (arrange for an interpreter of the Polish Sign Language, put the interpreter in touch with the speaker, discuss how cooperation during the event).

3. Examples of accessibility arrangements in a job fair meeting

• provide a translation service for the meeting
• allow guests to access materials before the meeting
• discuss aloud the multimedia materials used in the presentation (graphics, charts, maps, illustrations or photos)
• allow guests to communicate in writing with the speakers and with each other
• provide materials in an accessible format