Update wording of accessibility for consistency

docs/index.md

@@ -35,21 +35,22 @@ Additional resources:
 - [Alcohol and Inclusivity: Planning Tech Events with Non-Alcoholic Options](https://modelviewculture.com/pieces/alcohol-and-inclusivity-planning-tech-events-with-non-alcoholic-options) by Kara Sowles.
 
 ## Accessibility
-- Write an accessibility statement. [PyCon UK](https://2023.pyconuk.org/venue/) and [DjangoCon Europe 2023](https://2023.djangocon.eu/inclusion/) have good examples. In this statement, you inform people with disabilities or impairments, what you can offer them, what obstacles may be present, and what alternatives you can provide. The purpose is to inform people what you are planning to do, what you do and don’t know, and that you’re happy to listen to anyone’s questions in this area. [Including photos](https://ep2024.europython.eu/accessibility), especially when the route is a bit tricky, and floor plans is always a great addition.
-- Have the accessibility statement published early on. If you publish it after early bird pricing closes, you're basically making disabled people pay more.
-- Provide the simplest way of access for inquiries - an email address. Forms and too many detailed questions might be inaccessible and/or put people off.
-- For people with reduced mobility, be specific about the actual situation. Some people that use wheelchairs can actually cross a few steps if needed. Some require specific accessible toilets, others do not. A generic term like “wheelchair accessible” leaves many questions for these people. Providing photos is great.
+- Write an accessibility statement. [PyCon UK](https://2023.pyconuk.org/venue/) and [DjangoCon Europe 2023](https://2023.djangocon.eu/inclusion/) have good examples. In this statement, you inform people with disabilities or impairments what you can offer them, what obstacles may be present, and what alternatives you can provide. The purpose is to inform people what you are planning to do, what you do and don’t know, and that you’re happy to listen to anyone’s questions in this area. [Including photos](https://ep2024.europython.eu/accessibility), especially when the route is a bit tricky, and floor plans is always a great addition.
+- Have the accessibility statement published early on. If you publish it after early bird pricing closes, you're basically making disabled people pay more. If you publish it after CFP closes, they are less likely to become speakers.
+- Make sure there is an accessible way to contact you for inquiries, which should probably be email. Forms and too many detailed questions might be inaccessible and/or put people off.
+- For people with reduced mobility, be specific about the actual situation. Some people that use wheelchairs can actually cross a few steps if needed. Some require specific accessible toilets, others do not. Width and turning radius vary greatly. A generic term like “wheelchair accessible” leaves many questions for these people. Providing photos is great.
+- Some obstacles may not be a major barrier to most wheelchair users, but may be to anyone with other mobility issues or visual impairments, as they can become a tripping hazard.
 - Ask (optional) for any accessibility needs in ticket registration, so you can anticipate. However, this never covers all cases, as needs can change.
-- Don't assume you know the accessibility needs of your participants, or attempt to guess them.
-- Check and document whether things like step-free access doors and lifts can be used independently. Sometimes there is no alternative, but it's very unpleasant when attendees can not navigate the venue independently. If there is no alternative, make sure staff is available, or provide clear direction on how to contact staff.
-- Make sure paths are wide enough, e.g. for people with mobility aids. Even if buildings have step free access, chairs, tables, promotion booths and other obstacles are sometimes placed too close to each other.
+- Don't assume you know the accessibility needs of your participants, or attempt to guess them. Do not ask them to provide details of any health conditions (as opposed to their access needs) as that information is intrusive not useful anyways.
+- Check and document whether things like step-free access doors and lifts can be used independently. Sometimes there is no alternative, but it's very unpleasant when attendees can not navigate the venue independently. If there is no alternative, document it in your statement, make sure staff is available, or provide clear direction on how to contact staff.
+- Make sure paths remain wide enough with furniture, e.g. for people with mobility aids. Even if buildings have step free access, chairs, tables, promotion booths and other obstacles are sometimes placed too close to each other.
 - Don't forget about access to the stage.
 - Sometimes things do not go according to plan, and the situation is not as accessible as people were expecting. Do whatever you can to provide workarounds, and actively inform anyone you know may run into those obstacles.
-- Don't forget to check and document the acccessibility of social event and dinner venues. They're actually more likely to have significant issues than an average conference venue.
+- Also check and document the acccessibility of social event and dinner venues. They're actually more likely to have significant issues than an average conference venue.
 - Consider having a captioner/stenographer. This helps a wide range of attendees: people with hearing issues, speakers with various accents, and allows reading back if someone was distracted. It also provides a written and searchable record afterwards.
 - In signage, lanyard colours and badge design, be mindful of those with reduced colour perception. A good tool to test this on Mac OS X is [Color Oracle](http://www.colororacle.org).
-- It’s easy for people to feel overwhelmed by the social interactions, sound or light level and business at conferences. A quiet room, which is a (somewhat) noise insulated room where there is no talking, can give these attendees a chance to decompress. It’s also a good place for people that need to focus on some work. All you need is a room with some chairs/desks/beanbags. Make sure that your quiet room is in a place that's easily accessible. Also make sure there are no flashing or flickering light, and that the brightness level is not too intense.
-- Plan for signs to guide people without overwhelming them. Design them well ahead with a consistent color scheme and the conference logo. Depending on your venue layout, it can be worth it to invest in stands to place them in the best position, rather than stick them to a wall.
+- Offer a quiet room for people who may feel overwhelmed by the social interactions, sound or light level and business at conferences. A quiet room should be a (somewhat) noise insulated room where there is no talking, to allow attendees a chance to decompress. It’s also a good place for people that need to focus on some work. It should not be a place for online meetings. All you need is a room with some chairs/desks/beanbags. Make sure that your quiet room is in a place that's easily accessible. Also make sure there are no flashing or flickering light, and that the brightness level is not too intense.
+- Plan for signs to guide people without overwhelming them. Design them well ahead with a consistent color scheme and the conference logo. Depending on your venue layout, it can be worth it to invest in stands to place them in the best position, rather than stick them to a wall. If there are separate accessible paths or toilets, have signs for those as well.
 - Earlier in the conference, have some extra volunteers around to guide people. That will also help you discover where you need to fix up your signage.
 - Publish details of your health/covid policy. Is masking expected? Required? Vaccinations? Document this clearly and early. Harassing someone for wearing a mask should always be treated as a CoC violation. See [PyCon UK](https://2023.pyconuk.org/health/) for an example.