Rethinking Accessibility in Event and Trade Stand Design

Inclusive Temporary Structures

In equestrian sport and country events, there has been clear progress on welfare, safety, and sustainability. Yet Accessibility in Event and Trade Stand Design remains one of the more complex challenges. While barriers exist across all environments, they are often most visible in temporary settings. Raised platforms, uneven ground, and narrow entrances can all make participation harder for disabled people, whether as visitors, exhibitors, or employees.

The issue is not intent but infrastructure. Temporary structures are sometimes assumed to be too difficult to adapt, with accessibility addressed late in the process. In practice, inclusive design is achievable when it is planned from the outset.

Designing Accessibility in Event and Trade Stand Design from the Start

Accessibility is rarely effective when added after the fact. It requires early decisions in site planning and layout. Core considerations include:

• Level routes between attractions and trade areas
• Stable, flush flooring suitable for wheelchairs and other mobility aids
• Low or no thresholds at entrances, with ramps where needed
• Turning space within stands and clear sightlines for visibility
• Strong colour contrast and consistent signage.

These are not optional features. They are fundamentals of inclusive design.

Learning from experience

Where trade stands are raised, amps can be provided on request and are fitted to ensure they are both safe and functional, while aligning with the overall look and feel of the structure. Just as important is the attention given to flooring. Our teams take pride in delivering surfaces that are precisely level. This matters not only for presentation, but also for stability and ease of access for visitors using mobility aids.

We recognise that this is a small part of the wider accessibility picture. But if every supplier and organiser reviewed their own contribution in this way, the combined effect across an event would be significant. Small, consistent improvements in design and installation help create environments that are easier and more welcoming for everyone.

Accessibility is rising up the agenda across the UK events sector. The relaunch of Attitude Is Everything’s Live Events Access Charter in the live music industry is a good example. While developed for concert venues and festivals, its principles of early planning, measurable standards, and co-production with disabled audiences offer lessons that any event sector can adopt.

The first Accessible Events Show, held in September 2025, reinforced that momentum. It brought together organisers, suppliers, and consultants to share case studies, showcase inclusive products, and demonstrate what genuine accessibility looks like in practice. The fact that there is now a dedicated industry forum for accessible event design underlines how quickly expectations are changing.

Beyond ramps and captions

Accessibility is not just about physical adjustments. As Scope and others emphasise, it is about designing events that everyone can attend, engage with, and enjoy. That includes attention to:

• Physical: routes, flooring, thresholds, ramps, rest areas
• Digital: booking systems, event information, wayfinding tools
• Sensory: quiet spaces, lighting, sound levels, shaded seating
• Social: staff awareness, communication, signage, inclusive language.

When these aspects are addressed together, accessibility becomes part of the overall event design, not a compliance exercise or late addition.

The 2026 Opportunity: Embedding Accessibility in Event and Trade Stand Design

As the 2025 summer season draws to a close, the greater opportunity lies in planning ahead for 2026. Organisers and suppliers have the chance to:

• Review feedback from disabled people who visited or exhibited this year
• Establish a minimum accessibility checklist for all trade structures
• Allocate budget and time for inclusive infrastructure in pre-season planning
• Engage directly with disabled people to test and refine solutions.

Accessibility extends beyond wheelchair users. People with visual or hearing impairments, sensory sensitivities, fatigue, or other conditions also encounter barriers. As highlighted by organisations such as Scope and Attitude Is Everything, inclusive features, from quiet zones to clear wayfinding, improve the experience for everyone.

Why Accessibility in Event and Trade Stand Design Matters for Events

Expectations are rising. Visitors and exhibitors increasingly judge events not only by their atmosphere and competition, but by whether they feel inclusive. Accessibility is integral to that assessment.

Events that embed accessibility strengthen their reputation, extend their reach, and align with the values that define modern equestrian sport and the wider events industry.

Temporary structures can and should deliver permanent standards of access.