Good intentions aren't enough - why events must close the accessibility gap

The gap we can no longer ignore

What stood out most was the recognition that good intentions are no longer enough.

As an industry, we often point to accessible toilets, step-free access or written policies as evidence of progress. Yet the lived experiences shared during the discussion revealed a different reality.

Barriers continue to appear in ways many people do not see, from unclear pre-event information and sensory overload to inconsistent standards across venues. For attendees, the experience can feel fragmented and frustrating.

It is something I recognise from conversations with clients and colleagues. The intent to do better is often there. What is frequently missing is clarity, consistency and confidence.

There is a disconnect, and it is a significant one.

From discussion to delivery

What made this roundtable different was the focus on what happens next.

When asked what I believed the root issue was, my answer was simple: confusion.

Multiple frameworks, guidelines and accreditation schemes exist, often with overlapping or conflicting advice. Organisations want to improve accessibility, but many are unsure where to start or what good looks like in practice.

There is also a fear of getting it wrong. That hesitation can prevent the open conversations needed to drive progress.

Much of the discussion focused on the potential for a shared industry baseline for accessibility, supported by government and designed to provide practical guidance rather than a rigid rulebook.

We also explored the possibility of a tiered approach that could be applied across different event sizes and formats, helping organisations make meaningful progress regardless of scale. For global programmes like those we deliver at BCD Meetings & Events, this kind of consistency would be hugely valuable.

There is now real appetite to take this further, with momentum building behind the idea of forming a dedicated working group. This would bring together policymakers, industry professionals and accessibility experts to shape what this could look like in reality.

If delivered, this could be a defining step forward for the industry. It would move accessibility from something that is often reactive or inconsistent to something embedded, expected and standard.

The MPs left with a clear intention to seek government backing. If approved, this could lead to a formal group being established to take this work forward and drive meaningful change.

Why this matters

Accessibility is often framed as a compliance issue or a logistical challenge. Yet it was highlighted during the discussion that sustainability continues to receive significant investment and attention from organisations, while accessibility - which directly impacts whether people can attend and participate in events - often does not receive the same level of focus.

From an operational perspective, and particularly within large-scale event delivery, this is a gap we have a real opportunity to address.

What came through clearly in the room is that accessibility is ultimately about people and the experiences we create for them.

For me, that is not only a professional consideration. It is also personal. Growing up with a profoundly deaf mother has given me a close understanding of the barriers many people continue to face and the difference that thoughtful inclusion can make.

Accessibility should not be viewed solely through the lens of compliance. It is about creating experiences where everyone can participate fully.

When events are accessible, they are better for everyone. They are easier to navigate, more welcoming and more engaging. When they are not, we risk excluding a significant portion of our audience, often unintentionally. That is something we can, and should, be doing better.