Access Statement -

We aim to facilitate inclusive and supportive spaces.

We want SBWN to be a welcoming place for BPOC people with varying access requirements, whether they are disabled, D/deaf, blind, chronically ill, and/or neurodivergent; are from a working-class background or on a low income; have caring responsibilities; and/or are otherwise marginalised.

SBWN Events and Activities

We run our own programme of events and activities.

Access provided for each event or activity is stated on each event listing or activity description.

Access requirements are also invited during event sign-up.

Access provided at all our own events:

Free tickets for people on low incomes
Sliding scale ‘pay what you can’ tickets
Comfort breaks
Automated captions at digital events
Venue-based events:
- Wheelchair and mobility aid access
- Free refreshments

Access provided for some SBWN events and activities may include:

BSL translation
In-person captioner or notetaker
Professionally captioned recordings
Quiet zone
Bursaries for childcare/carer, travel, and/or data

Partner Events and Activities

An example of a Partner event would be an SBWN showcase or workshop at a book festival, e.g. SBWN x ‘Partner name’ poetry festival.

Partners are encouraged to take a proactive approach to accessibility.

SBWN may not engage in a partnership, where a potential partner doesn’t have sufficient funds to also cover access costs in line with our requirements.

Website

We are working to make our website more accessible.

Working together

Access requirements and/or Access Documents are welcomed and/or invited from members, operational team members, partners, volunteers, and commissioned artists and contractors.

Templates are provided for team members and for commissioned artists and contractors.