How can we change the fact that some prides are not accessible?
Here’s a video guide on ways that we can help change that.
By proactively communicating with your local prides to ensure access to yourself and others in attending. After all you can’t be truly inclusive if you don’t truly include everyone.
Here is the letter template to use (don’t forget to edit it to suit your situation!):
Dear organiser of X Pride,
I hope this email finds you well.
My name is Doe, and I am a Deaf LGBT+ person who would love to attend X Pride. However, there seems to be no mention of accessibility at your event. As a Deaf BSL signer, most events are not accessible to me unless BSL interpreters are present.
The LGBT+ community celebrates diversity and inclusion, and I am sure you want X Pride to do that. I encourage you to consider making the event accessible for Deaf people by providing BSL interpreters and captioning – you can find more information about this on the Deaf Rainbow UK website (/making-your-event-accessible/). By making sure your event is accessible, you are opening up the LGBT+ community and making it a safe space for Deaf people.
I am also more than happy to work with you on this, and provide advice during the process, if you are willing to have me on board. I can also help with finding more Deaf people to bring in so there will be more than one perspective feeding the process.
I look forward to your response,
Many thanks,
Doe
