5. Inclusion & Accessibility

So participation is genuinely accessible to as many people as possible, with attention given to addressing not replicating power imbalances.

Links to Principles: Inclusion-focused

Core

The non-negotiable minimum

Participants’ accessibility and care needs actively sought in advance and met*. Onboarding starts before the process begins, building relationships, safety and comfort. Fair compensation for participants’ time at the real living wage or above. Participants’ travel, subsistence, childcare and respite care expenses covered. Budget available to cover the time and expenses of potential Advisory Group members and speakers who need it to be able to take part. Participants’ privacy protected, and data handled in line with UK GDPR (ICO guidance). Safeguarding arrangements in place for all involved, with additional measures for participants who may be vulnerable (safeguarding guidance). Physical venues and online environments are genuinely accessible and fit for deliberation, not just logistically available. IT hardware and support are provided as needed. Provide designated Quiet Spaces and/or prayer spaces. Process timing and design take account of religious festivals.

*with the potential exception of extremely expensive adaptations

Desirable

Extra depth where resources allow

Increased accessibility budget means there are no financial constraints to meeting access needs. Each participant chooses whether and how their own involvement is made public, regardless of what others choose.

Stretch

Context-specific, deeper power sharing, sustaining and embedding

Every aspect of the process from question framing, to recruitment methodology, to Advisory Group membership, to design (and so on) is assessed through a power and accessibility lens, with steps taken to address power imbalances and promote inclusion at all stages.

Practice is periodically reviewed with organisations that specialise in inclusion, to check for blind spots the delivery team can’t see from inside.