Low Sensory Clubs Fair
What is Low Sensory Clubs Fair?
Large crowds and loud sounds can be overwhelming—that’s why we are creating a couple low sensory times during the event itself. Clubs Fair will be redesigned for students who prefer a calmer experience. The most significant difference is that we will have timed entry into the Clubs Fair tent, so students will be required to register in advance and select what time they're coming. This cap on the number of people will reduce crowds in the tent during these hours, and will hopefully allow you to have more meaningful and accessible conversations with students.
Your feedback on this process is welcome and if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to clubs@uasu.ca and events@uasu.ca.
The low sensory experience will occur at these times:
- September 2, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- September 2, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- September 3, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
How will students sign up to attend low sensory hours?
To attend, students will have to pre-register for a specific time slot. Information will be shared on the Orientation website, during UAlberta 101 sessions at New Student Orientation, on social media, on WOW branding, and on posters in locations intended for folks who are looking for specific accommodations during Orientation and Week of Welcome.
What’s our responsibility as a group tabling during our shift?
If you are tabling during any of these shifts, please consider the following tips and strategies to support a sensory-friendly experience for students:
- Do not play any music or use any noise makers in your display.
- Set up tables and displays to be viewed at and accessed from different heights.
- Provide an alternative means of accessing print materials. For instance, collect email addresses to send digital materials to participants, or provide large print cards with a URL for digital access to materials.
- Display materials in an organized manner and limit the number of items on display.
We want to learn more about making things accessible! What can we do?
If you’re a student group executive, you know the benefits of being part of extracurricular activities! Everyone deserves an opportunity to engage meaningfully in the operations and activities of clubs, and there are steps you can take to make this easier. Read up on Universal Design to explore different factors you should consider when running your group—these principles apply to everything from event planning to website design to how you share information during meetings!
Accessible spaces are also safe and diverse spaces. Consider taking our GLO Skills module on Creating Safe(r) Spaces, brought to you by The Landing, to learn more about the history of “safe(r) spaces,” oppression and anti-oppression, transformative justice and accountability, and allyship and advocacy.