How can we make businesses, schools, parks, and services accessible to people of all ages and abilities? Join us for this interactive forum. Learn why accessible spaces matter to everyone. Find out how to get involved. Share your ideas and help shape Bethel’s future.
How can village businesses, buildings, programs, parks and services be more inclusive and accessible to people of all ages and abilities? How might we retrofit historic villages and downtowns without breaking the bank?
Come explore the greatest challenges to accessibility in small town community spaces and services, as well as practical solutions for designing universally-inclusive communities. We’ll use Bethel, Vermont as a case study and look at a variety of ways that communities, organizations and businesses can improve accessibility, from quick and cheap actions to larger investments.
In the first half, we’ll hear from two speakers about common challenges and barriers to accessibility in small town buildings, businesses and public spaces, as well as practical examples and solutions that businesses and communities can implement right away. Hear initial findings from Bethel’s recent accessibility audit and learn about products, techniques and practices to increase universal access. Stick around for an interactive forum in the second half – we’ll use breakout groups and interactive maps to dive into accessibility in Bethel, then brainstorm quick actions for improving the accessibility of our community spaces and services.
Speakers:
Peter Johnke, Deputy Director of the Vermont Center for Independent Living
Steven Mifsud, MBE, CEO of Direct Access
Steve Dering, COO of Direct Access
Accommodations
We will offer automatic captioning at this event. Do you need additional accommodations? If so, please email betheluniversityvt@gmail.com and we will do our best to make arrangements.
Host: Bethel for All. This event is one of four accessibility forums organized by Bethel for All —a community-driven planning process making Bethel, Vermont a more connected, vibrant, welcoming and accessible place for all. Join us for the other three forums to learn about creating accessible public spaces and services, a thriving local economy, and cleaner watersheds. Bethel for All is a Vermont Better Connections project. bethelforall.org
Bethel University Vermont (BU) is a free community pop-up university based in Bethel, Vermont and created by the Bethel Revitalization Initiative. We offer free courses by the community, for the community, during the month of March each year. Learn more about Bethel University and check out more free course listings at betheluniversityvt.org.