Breaking Barriers: The Case for Accessible Venues

"Disability goes beyond wheelchair users—it includes diverse needs. Accessibility remains a challenge, with poorly designed roads and buildings. Collaboration with PWDs and authorities is key to change. Small steps, like tactile paving and clear signage, can make a big impact. Awareness is crucial, as many overlook daily barriers PWDs face." - Irshad from Maldives Association of Persons with Disabilities. 

Inclusion is more than just a principle; it is a commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind. Yet, for many persons with disabilities, physical and structural barriers often stand in the way of full participation in social, professional, and cultural spaces. Accessible venues are not just about compliance with standards; they are about dignity, opportunity, and equal participation in society.

To address this pressing need, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP in the Maldives), in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UN RCO), organized a sensitization session on February 13, 2025, for venue and catering service providers engaged across the UN system. The session aimed to promote accessibility and inclusion by providing practical guidance on making venues and services more accommodating for persons with disabilities. 

Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) were also invited to contribute their insights and lived experiences, including Maldives Association for Persons with Disabilities (MAPD), Maldives Deaf Association (MDA), Blind and Visually Impaired Society of Maldives (BVISM), and Mental Health Support Group (MHSG).

"Sounds and smells guide us in ways others may not notice. Elevators without voice commands, unread menus, and inaccessible documents create barriers. Sharing menus in advance and using plain text improves access. Clear event layouts enhance independence." - Saddam– Blind and Deaf Association

For individuals with disabilities, the simple act of attending an event or dining at a restaurant can be fraught with obstacles. Some common barriers include:

The Challenges of Inaccessible Venues

For individuals with disabilities, the simple act of attending an event or dining at a restaurant can be fraught with obstacles. Some common barriers include:

Physical Barriers: Steps without ramps, narrow doorways, and inaccessible restrooms can make navigation nearly impossible for wheelchair users.

Auditory and Visual Barriers: Lack of sign language interpreters, captioning, or braille signage can exclude those with hearing or visual impairments.

Cognitive Barriers: Poor signage, complex layouts, or a lack of clear information can make spaces difficult to navigate for individuals with cognitive disabilities.

Attitudinal Barriers: Misconceptions and lack of awareness among service providers can result in unintentional discrimination and exclusion.

"Accessibility remains a challenge for the Deaf community. We prefer simple English and need interpreters for better understanding—photos and signs aren’t enough. Clear maps and more graphics would also improve inclusivity." - Ahusan, participant at the session.

The Path to Inclusion

Making venues more accessible is not just about modifying infrastructure—it is about fostering an inclusive mindset. The UNDP-UN RCO sensitization session equipped venue and catering service providers with practical knowledge on:

Building a Foundation and Understanding Disability Inclusion

Why is diversity and inclusion important?

Different types of disabilities

Terminologies and interacting respectfully

Reasonable Accommodation

Understanding the significance of reasonable accommodation in creating an inclusive environment.

Identifying practical ways to implement reasonable accommodation in venues and catering services.

Universal Design

Emphasizing the importance of designing spaces and services that cater to all individuals, regardless of ability.

Exploring real-world applications of universal design principles in venue management and hospitality.

In addition the session included:

Experience Sharing by OPDs

Representatives from MAPD, MDA, BVISM, and MHSG shared their lived experiences, highlighting challenges and best practices in accessibility.

Group Activity: Barrier-Free Services

Participants identified accessibility barriers at different stages of service delivery, from entry points to seating arrangements and restrooms.

Brainstorming sessions focused on developing practical and implementable solutions to ensure a seamless and inclusive experience for guests with disabilities.

"Thank you, UNDP, for your continued support and for facilitating today’s session. It was highly productive, offering valuable insights from both the presentation and discussions. This session reinforced the importance of raising awareness on inclusivity and designing environments where people with disabilities can live independently." - Hudha - Mental Health Support Group.

Why This Matters

Creating accessible venues is not just an act of goodwill—it is a necessity for building an equitable society. When venues are designed with inclusivity in mind, everyone benefits. Businesses and event organizers open themselves to a broader audience, governments fulfill their commitments to human rights and development goals, and most importantly, persons with disabilities can fully participate in social and economic life.

By bringing together venue service providers, OPDs, and key UN stakeholders, this initiative underscores the collective responsibility of ensuring accessibility is not an afterthought but a standard practice. The success of this sensitization session will serve as a steppingstone towards more inclusive spaces where everyone, regardless of ability, can engage freely and equally.