Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Planning Inclusive and Accessible Events

Portland Community College is committed to creating welcoming, inclusive experiences for all members of our community. Our goal is that events should be accessible to everyone, to the greatest extent possible, without needing individual modifications.

This Inclusive and Accessible Event guidance can help you plan for different types of experiences! This guidance applies to workshops, meetings, trainings, activity, or programs designed for any audience, large or small.

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For questions or support, contact PCC’s Accessibility team. We are available to help you plan inclusive, accessible events that welcome all members of our community.

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Big Ideas

Benefits for All

• Clear information helps all attendees. Good signage, simple instructions, and readable materials reduce confusion and make events easier to navigate.
• Better communication improves engagement. Captioning, microphones, and visual clarity help people understand, follow along, and stay focused—whether or not they have a disability.
• Flexible participation options may increase attendance. Offering virtual or hybrid access helps people with and without disabilities, including people with busy schedules, long commutes, or family responsibilities.
• Navigating the space. Accessible seating and table layouts make the event more comfortable for everyone.
• Inclusive activities build stronger groups. When events work for more participants, less people feel left out, and connection between people can be stronger.
• Clarity prevents surprises. When attendees know what to expect, they arrive prepared and confident.
• Welcoming environments improve satisfaction. When people feel included, they’re more likely to return, recommend the event, and participate fully.
• Accessibility reduces last‑minute scrambling. Planning ahead prevents avoidable issues and makes the event easier to run for staff.

When planning an event, keep these general accessibility principles in mind:

• Consider accessibility early. Making adjustments and scrambling to put in place accommodations can be costly.
• Think about the overall accessibility of your event, including virtual, hybrid, and in‑person formats.
• Use accessible marketing, communication, and registration processes.
• Create a positive experience by removing barriers that make attendees feel unwelcome.
• Strive for equitable experiences for disabled and non‑disabled participants.
• Be prepared to answer questions about accessibility.

Take the Understanding Accessible Education Training in Workday Learning

PCC Accessibility Guides for All Employees

Training for Faculty

Digital Accessibility

Request a presentation or training