A Guide to Planning Accessible Meetings

On-Site Readers

Sometimes, in spite of great planning, there is last-­minute material that does not get converted into alternate formats. If this happens, designate people to serve as on-­site readers. This is a stop­-gap measure which may work when the meeting is short and there is not a large volume of material to be read.

On-­site readers can also help participants complete evaluation forms in real-­time, by serving as reader-­scribes for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Specific skills are needed to be an on-site reader: ability to read material well, a good clear voice, and, ideally, knowledge of the language and vocabulary used in the documents.