Throughout March 2010, MEI is looking at the issue of disability and events. There are over 650m people in the world with disabilities which equates to around 10% of the earth’s population. One person in four is affected by disability, either directly, or as caregivers or family members. It is also estimated that about 80% of all disabled people worldwide live in developing countries.
Why disability as a theme?
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News
Increasingly, access considerations are becoming part of event organisation due to legislation, however, many disabled people and their carers are still put off from attending events due to a lack of access facilities. Catering for the needs of disabled supporters and visitors not only ticks the right equal opportunities and human rights boxes but can also lead to increased revenue for an event with research showing that disabled supporters are often accompanied by between three and five other people.
With greater attention in the media being given to events for disabled athletes such as the Paralympic Games and Special Olympics, the events industry can also benefit from many disability-specific events including: adaptive technology expositions; disability organisation congresses; sport-related travel; human rights meetings; inclusive education events; and disability specific arts productions. If you are an event organiser, venue or supplier interested in providing facilities or events for the disabled, then MEI is your must-read resource throughout this month.
In April 2010, MEI will turn its attention to events and facilities in Korea, so please e-mail us with your related news and discussion papers.
Rachael Church-Sanders Editorial Director rchurch-sanders@majoreventsint.com
Themes and Advertising Deadlines:
April – KOREA (26 March) May – CHARITY EVENTS (23 April) June - THE MIDDLE EAST (28 May) July 2010 - VENUES, ARENAS AND STADIA (25 June) August 2010 – CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE (30 July)
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