The MFA DE&I Council would like to see an industry where everyone can thrive, feel heard, supported, and safe to do their best work. Let’s meet the Changers who are sharing their own lived experiences to inspire us all to change for the better.
As we dive into the busy season of end-of-year events and meetings, let’s face it: even the most seasoned planners can’t think of everything. In the whirlwind of organising, it’s easy to miss small details that could make a big difference to someone attending.
That’s why inclusivity and diversity matter more than ever – not as buzzwords, but as essential principles that ensure everyone feels welcome and fully engaged.
In light of this, the MFA DE&I Council has created a straightforward, one-page guide to help cover all bases for the inclusive planning of meetings, events and learning sessions. This guide offers best practices for fostering comfortable, accessible spaces and highlights the often-overlooked details that can make a real impact.
For example, something as simple as considering whether an Auslan interpreter is needed can make a world of difference for the deaf or hard-of-hearing community.
As Charles Xu from OMD explains, interpreters are key for accessibility, but they’re not always available. By conducting a quick pre-event survey to check if anyone requires this service, you can ensure you’re offering support where it’s genuinely needed, rather than making assumptions. This helps avoid tokenism and makes the resource count.
Another small step is ensuring everyone’s voice is heard, especially in meetings where some may feel less comfortable speaking up.
Pawena Kaniah from IProspect points out that it’s essential to create space for “meek, timid, and more polite” voices, who might otherwise stay quiet. Leaders can look for subtle cues, like body language, and encourage contributions in a way that feels supportive rather than forced.
The reality is, when you’re juggling a million things, it’s easy to overlook the specific needs of individuals. That’s why having a go-to checklist for inclusivity helps ensure no one is left out, whether that’s making sure communication is clear, accessibility needs are met, or the meeting format works for all participants.
Asier Carazo from Atomic 212 highlights a simple yet powerful approach: knowing your audience. While planning a workshop, he added one important question to the RSVP form – asking attendees if they had any accessibility needs. This small step made a big impact. Several people requested accommodations like closed captioning and visual description software.
By asking, Asier could proactively meet those needs, ensuring everyone could fully participate. This experience taught him a valuable lesson: asking rather than assuming can be the key to creating a truly inclusive experience.
Ultimately, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about making an effort. The MFA guide to hosting inclusive events and meetings – available here – helps simplify that effort, providing tips to create environments where everyone feels they can engage, whether they’re an outspoken extrovert or someone who needs a little encouragement to share their ideas.
Inclusivity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s smart strategy. When people feel genuinely seen and heard, they’re more engaged, which leads to richer participation and better outcomes for everyone involved.
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