When someone says that something is accessible, what do you think of? Parking spaces and bathrooms? Ramps?
Those are important, but they’re just one small piece of the picture when we talk about accessible spaces. They’re something that is easy for us to see, but not every barrier is visible.
Maybe it’s the lighting for someone with migraines. Maybe it’s the incense for someone who’s allergic.Those kinds of barriers often mean that people leave early without explaining and don’t come back.
Accessibility isn’t just about who can get in the door. It’s who’s welcome once they get there, and who’s able to participate.
There are places where children are technically allowed, and places where they’re welcomed with open arms, and we know that those are two different things, right? But that same difference exists for those with disabilities.
It’s the difference between a place where the front door has a ramp and there are working elevators, versus the place where the only ramp is around the back of the building and you enter through the kitchen.
It’s the difference between a place that offers ways to participate without overwhelming sounds, and a place where you can’t carry on a conversation over the music.
It’s the difference between a place where people are encouraged to wear masks, and a place where wearing a mask is looked at with suspicion.
When we’re talking about rituals, we have to think in broader terms. Can everyone follow the ritual? Can they hear the instructions and understand them? Can they stay regulated and comfortable? Can they sit if they need to?
Reflect on the most recent ritual you attended: who can attend, and who can actually participate?
Let’s talk about commonly overlooked barriers.
Sometimes there are sensory barriers – things that impact the senses (the traditional five: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, but also vestibular, proprioception, interoception, nociception, thermoception, and others). These might include loud drumming or chanting, an expectation of sitting still and quiet for an extended time, strong scents like incense, bright lights, or very dim lights, and crowds. Each of these can lead to overwhelm, panic, shutdown, or withdrawal.
Cognitive and processing barriers may include things like fast pacing in rituals, multi-step directions that are only given once verbally, or symbolism that is “obvious” to people but not explained directly. These can lead to confusion, and to people feeling lost or embarrassed.
Social barriers include clique-ish behavior, unspoken expectations, and a lack of a clear entry point for newcomers. These lead people to feel like they are outsiders who don’t know what to do and don’t see any way to make friends.
Communication barriers might include quiet or unclear speakers, a lack of written materials, using jargon without defining it, or language barriers (including not having an interpreter for someone who speaks ASL). People who face communication barriers often miss key parts of the experience.
Financial barriers are a common problem in our community. Travel costs, high registration fees, and the impression that you need all the tools in order to practice can be a block for people, particularly those new to the community who haven’t had time or experience to make other arrangements.
Physical and energy limitations can be a barrier. Long periods standing, needing to cross uneven terrain to even get to the ritual location, and long rituals without breaks can be problems. People who struggle with energy can find fatigue and pain make it impossible to participate.
Why do these things go unnoticed?
Mostly, our communities are built around the needs of current members and the experiences of the organizers. They assume a shared experience and background. We design the rituals and events we’ve always had, because they’ve worked for us and we are used to them.
And that means that sometimes, we’re leaving people out, even if we don’t intend to. That’s not placing blame, and it’s not meant to place shame – it’s a fact, and it’s something we can learn about in order to do better in the future.
Stop and reflect for a moment: who is your space currently designed for, and who are your rituals designed for? Who do you not see?
Let’s look at what this really means in practice.
We’re not expecting you to change all the rules. We’re hoping you’ll start thinking about accessibility from a different perspective, and thinking about how you could be more inclusive.
Start with communication. Explain what will happen at the event. Offer step-by-step guidance for rituals. Use simple, direct language.
Allow for flexible participation. Normalize opting in or opting out. Offer more than one way to engage with an activity. Expect people to sit or stand, and to move or be still. Have chairs, and plan for breaks in longer rituals.
Be sensory aware. Offer low-stimulation options, and be mindful of sound, scent, and lighting.
Consider sliding scale and donation based events.
Have a visible, known point of contact for support. Someone that attendees can ask for assistance or for support.
Small changes can make a big difference. The short list below is something that you can implement immediately, and these are the sorts of things that can make or break a person’s ability to attend and participate.
- Start rituals with a brief orientation
- Provide an outline of the ritual flow
- Designate a newcomer-friendly contact person
- Create a quiet or rest space
- Explicitly tell people that they can participate as much or as little as they are comfortable with, and how they can step out if need be.
- After the event, have a debrief. Ask people what worked, what didn’t work, and what they’d change.
These practices help new attendees, neurodivergent participants, introverts, and people who are just having a bad day. When we design for accessibility, we create better experiences for everyone.
Much like practicing magic, building accessible events is an ongoing thing that we improve on over time. It’s not a checklist, or a one-time fix. It requires listening, adapting, and continuing to direct intention towards improving. Accessible communities keep learning.
The Pagan community is a big circle. If we want our circles to be open, and to be inclusive, we need to look beyond the barriers that are obvious to us, to eliminate barriers that we’re not yet aware of.
Reflection: What’s one barrier your coven, circle, or event could reduce?
Whole Circle Ministries supports Pagan leaders in building more accessible and inclusive spaces. Training and tools are available at WholeCircleMinistries.com