Let’s start with something we know to be true: Most organizations want to do the right thing when it comes to accessibility.
You want your patients to feel comfortable. Your students to have the tools they need to succeed. Your employees to participate fully. And your guests feel welcome.
But sometimes, even with the best intentions, a few important details get overlooked.
And that’s okay. Accessibility is something we can all continue learning about and improving.
At The SOS Agency, we work with organizations across a variety of settings, and we’ve learned that some of the smallest adjustments can make a big difference.
Here are five things worth keeping in mind.
1. Not Every Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Person Needs the Same Accommodation
This is probably one of the most important things to remember.
Not every Deaf person uses American Sign Language. Not every hard-of-hearing person prefers captioning. And two individuals attending the same event may have completely different communication needs.
That’s why we always encourage organizations to start with a simple question:
“What communication accommodations work best for you?”
Rather than assuming, give individuals the opportunity to communicate their preferences.
ASL interpreting, CART, and other accommodations each serve important purposes, but the right choice depends on the individual and the situation.
2. Booking an Interpreter Is Important, but Preparation Matters Too
You’ve requested an interpreter. Great!
But have you thought about what information might help that interpreter prepare?
An agenda, presentation slides, specialized terminology, names of speakers, or background information about the meeting can be incredibly helpful.
For example, an interpreter working in a medical setting may benefit from knowing the specialty involved. A CART provider covering a technical presentation may need terminology in advance.
You don’t need to have every detail figured out.
Even sharing what you know can help your accessibility team prepare for a successful experience.
3. The Physical Environment Can Make or Break the Experience
Here’s something that sometimes surprises people: Where an interpreter is positioned can be just as important as having one present.
Imagine attending a presentation where the interpreter is standing in a poorly lit corner, far away from the speaker and visual materials.
Technically, an interpreter is there. But is the setup providing effective access?
Lighting, seating, visibility, background noise, and the placement of screens or interpreters all deserve consideration.
For virtual meetings, think about whether participants can easily view the interpreter or captions while following the presentation.
4. Accessibility Doesn’t Stop When the Appointment or Event Begins
Sometimes, the original plan changes.
A meeting runs longer than expected. An additional speaker joins. A medical appointment becomes more involved. Or an event moves to a different room.
These things happen!
What’s important is remembering that communication access needs to continue as circumstances change.
If an assignment is running late or the environment changes, communicate with your interpreting or CART agency as soon as possible.
That gives everyone an opportunity to discuss the next steps and determine what support may be needed.
5. Don’t Forget to Ask How the Experience Went
This one is easy to overlook.
After an appointment, meeting, or event, organizations often move on to the next task without checking whether the accommodation was effective.
But feedback can be one of the most valuable tools for improvement.
Did the individual have clear access to communication? Was the setup appropriate? Were there any challenges that could be avoided next time?
You don’t need a complicated survey or a lengthy evaluation process.
Sometimes, simply asking, “Did the communication accommodations meet your needs?” can open the door to a helpful conversation.
And when someone shares feedback, use it to improve future experiences.
We’re Here to Help!
At The SOS Agency, we believe our relationship with customers should go beyond receiving a request and assigning a provider.
We want to be a resource, a partner, and a team you feel comfortable reaching out to when questions arise.
Whether you’re scheduling your first interpreter or coordinating services for hundreds of appointments, we’re here to help you think through the details.
Because at the end of the day, accessibility isn’t just about providing a service.
It’s about making sure people can participate and connect.
Have a question about ASL interpreting or CART services? We’d love to help.