How To Make Spaces Physically Accessible

Many people may be unsure of how to make a space safe and accessible for individuals with anaphylactic allergies. While anaphylactic allergies can be life-threatening, there is nothing to worry about as long as you follow the proper accommodations that the person with allergies needs to stay safe. 

Here is a general list of tips and tricks on how to make spaces physically accessible for individuals with anaphylactic allergies. This is not an exhaustive list, and there are plenty of other accommodations that currently exist that help support individuals with anaphylactic allergies. 

*Please note that if you are ever unsure about how to make a space safe for individuals with anaphylactic allergies don’t be afraid to ask them about what you can do and how you can best support them. 

Ask About Allergies & Dietary Restrictions In Advance

• When you are hosting an event, please make sure to ask about any dietary restrictions and/or allergies that individuals may have beforehand and what accommodations they require. This helps to ensure that everyone is able to attend your event safely. 

Be In Communication With the Person With Allergies 

• When you are implementing accommodations make sure that you are in communication with the individual who has allergies to double-check and make sure that all of their needs are being met. You can let them know about what precautions and safety measures you have put in place. This can help ease the burden of trying to go to new places. 

• Give the person with allergies the opportunity to ask questions about the venue's policies about allergies and how they are able to accommodate them. If it is available the venue staff may want to offer the person with allergies a tour of the facilities so they can get a better understanding of what accommodation need to be in place. 

Make All Staff & Volunteers Aware of Allergens 

• If an individual states that they have an anaphylactic allergy, (when applicable) it is important to let all staff members and volunteers know about the accommodations that the person with allergies requires in order to keep them safe. 

• If someone on your staff team is not made aware, they could accidentally expose the person to an allergen, so it is vital that all staff members know how to best keep the person with allergies safe. 

Make Other Guests Aware of Allergens 

• While it is important that all staff members and volunteers are aware of allergens, it is also important to alert guests and other people at the venue to not bring the allergen onto the premises. 

• I have had people forget to tell others not to bring balloons to a party, and I ended up with a horrible rash and I had to go home early. 

• It is important to note that there is a proper way to do this so the person with the allergy does not feel ostracized or embarrassed about requiring accommodations. When letting guests know about things they can’t have due to allergies or dietary restrictions avoid using people’s names. I can feel really self-conscious if people say “Elise is allergic to that you can’t have it”. Instead, you should say “Someone who is attending, or uses this space regularly has an allergy to ____ please do not bring it into this space”. This way guests are aware of the accommodations needed without the person with allergies feeling personally called out. 

Post Infomation Everywhere 

• It can be really useful to post information about allergens to avoid, ingredient lists, allergy protocols, and accommodations in a variety of places. Putting information on menus, signage on doors and walls, posting on a website, and sending emails are all great ways to relay important information to keep everybody safe. 

Ensure You Are Using Latex-Free Gloves

• This may not be something that a lot of people think of, but it is incredibly important to check what kinds of gloves individuals are using in the kitchen if they are serving food. If someone is allergic to latex, they may have a reaction if someone is using latex gloves to serve food or clean dishes. If you are in charge of an event opt to buy latex-free (nitrile) gloves. 

Clear Out Allergens 72 Hours Before The Event Starts 

• Allergens such as latex can have residue that can last on surfaces for many days, so whenever possible, I request that all allergens (i.e. latex) be removed from the premises 72 hours before I plan on attending an event. 

Clean Everything Properly 

• The risk of cross-contamination can be significantly lowered if people at the venue are able to wipe down high-touch surfaces (sinks, door handles, counters, etc), and properly disinfect anything that the allergen may come into contact with (cutting boards, counters, plates, cutlery, etc). 

Check All Materials Used at Events 

• There is a surprising amount of common materials that contain latex such as paints, yoga mats, rubber chickens, fidget toys, swim caps, eyelash glue, etc, so it is important to always double-check any materials that you are planning to use at events so you can keep everyone safe. 

List Out All Ingredients on Menus 

• Nothing is more frustrating than trying to order something from a restaurant that has a “secret sauce”. It is important to list all ingredients of items on menus. It is also beneficial if you have information available about how the food is also prepared (is there a separate space where allergy-friendly food is prepared, is there a separate fryer and toaster for gluten-free food, etc). 

• It is also important to list all of this information on the physical menus at the venue, but it is also beneficial to post all of this information online so people can readily access it at any point in time. 

Ban Allergens Completely From Common-Use Spaces 

• If a person with severe life-threatening allergies uses a space frequently, the people around them should seriously consider banning any use of the allergen in that space.

• An example of this happened in my graduate studies department at school. Since I am at school every single day, we decided that there is to be no latex used in the department in order to ensure that I am safe to go to school every day. 

• For most allergies, it may not work to just have the allergen away in a separate room because the risk of cross-contamination is still quite high. If possible please try to remove all allergens from the premises. 

Be Honest 

• The most important thing to remember when preparing to accommodate someone who has anaphylactic allergies is, to be honest about what you can and cannot accommodate. I need the venue to be honest with me about what they can and cannot do, so I can make an informed decision as to whether or not I can attend that event safely. If people over-promise on what they say they can accommodate that can put my life at risk. So it is vital that people are honest about their capacity to accommodate individuals with anaphylactic allergies. 

Actually Follow Through 

• The second most important thing to do is to actually follow through on making sure the accommodations are properly in place so people with allergies are able to engage in leisure safely and without fear that they could get exposed to their allergen.