Accessibility

“Accessibility” covers formal equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) considerations but also covers anything which makes it as easy as possible for your target communities to take part in your activity.

If your community engagement is part of your research process, you will have considered EDI and other accessibility considerations as part of research ethics and integrity.

If your community engagement relates to a University policy or practice, new or existing, you will need to conduct an Equality Impact Assessment.

In broad terms, to ensure your community engagement is accessible, you need to:

1. Identify the communities you wish to engage, being as granular as possible
2. Identify any barriers which may exist between you and them by doing research into your target communities, which may include consulting representatives of these communities
3. Consult best practice related to the specific barriers you identify

Some useful resources to consult may be:

• University website accessibility guidelines
• University social media accessibility guidance (needs your UUN@ed.ac.uk and password)
• University guidance on accessibility of teaching resources, which may also be useful for other settings 
• Searching the SCVO and NCCPE websites