Accessibility Statement

At The Darling Social, we want everyone to feel welcome, comfortable and included.

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We create social events designed to help people meet new people, make friends and enjoy new experiences in a relaxed and friendly environment. We recognise that everyone has different needs, and we are committed to making our website, events and community as accessible and inclusive as reasonably possible.

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1. Our commitment

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We aim to:

• Make our website as easy to use and understand as possible.

• Choose event venues that are accessible wherever reasonably possible.

• Provide clear information about our events so that you can decide whether an event is suitable for you.

• Consider different accessibility, mobility, sensory, dietary and communication needs when planning our events.

• Work with venues and event providers to accommodate reasonable accessibility requirements.

• Encourage attendees to contact us if they have a specific requirement or concern.

• Treat accessibility information sensitively and respectfully.

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We understand that accessibility is not the same for everyone, and we are continually learning and improving.

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2. Accessibility at our events

​Accessibility can vary between venues and events, so we aim to provide relevant information when an event is advertised.

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Where possible, this may include information about:

• Step-free access

• Stairs and lifts

• Accessible toilets

• Seating

• Venue layout

• Parking and nearby transport

• Walking distances

• Lighting and noise levels

• Food and drink options

• Whether an event involves standing, walking or physical activity

• Any equipment or activities that may have specific accessibility considerations

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If you are unsure whether an event will be suitable for you, please get in touch before booking. We are happy to discuss the event and, where possible, work with the venue or provider to identify reasonable adjustments.

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3. Accessibility requirements

When booking an event, you may be given the opportunity to tell us about any accessibility requirements.

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Depending on the event, this could include:

• Mobility requirements

• Wheelchair access

• Seating requirements

• Visual impairments

• Hearing impairments

• Sensory requirements

• Communication needs

• Neurodivergent needs

• Dietary requirements or allergies

• Assistance from a support person or carer

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You do not need to provide us with more information than is necessary.

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If you have a requirement that is not covered by our booking form, please contact us at:

thedarlingsocial1@gmail.com

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We will do our best to accommodate your needs, although some adjustments may depend on the venue, event provider or nature of the event.

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4. Support persons and carers

We recognise that some attendees may need to attend an event with a support person, personal assistant or carer.

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If you require someone to accompany you, please contact us before booking where possible. We will discuss the arrangements with you and the relevant venue or event provider.

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Whether an additional ticket is required will depend on the event and venue.

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5. Dietary requirements and allergies

We want everyone to be able to enjoy our events safely.

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Where food or drink is provided, we will ask attendees to provide relevant dietary requirements or allergy information where appropriate.

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We may need to share this information with the venue, caterer or food provider so that they can take appropriate steps.

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Please let us know about any allergies or dietary requirements as early as possible. Information about allergens will be provided where available, but attendees should always check directly with the relevant food provider if they have a serious allergy.

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6. Sensory and environmental considerations

We recognise that busy social environments can be overwhelming for some people.

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Where relevant, we aim to provide information about the expected environment of an event, including factors such as:

• Music or loud noise

• Crowds

• Bright or changing lighting

• Small or busy spaces

• The length of the event

• Whether attendees will be expected to move around or participate in activities

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Where possible, we may identify quieter areas or opportunities to take a break.

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If you have a particular sensory requirement, please contact us before attending so we can discuss what may be possible.

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7. Website accessibility

We want our website to be accessible to as many people as possible.

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We aim to use:

• Clear and straightforward language

• Readable text

• Clear headings and page structures

• Descriptive links where possible

• Appropriate alternative text for important images

• Sufficiently clear contrast

• Forms that are as simple and accessible as possible

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We recognise that some parts of our website may rely on third-party services, such as ticketing, payment or mailing-list platforms. We cannot always control the accessibility of these services, but we will aim to choose services that provide appropriate accessibility features where reasonably possible.

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8. If you experience an accessibility problem

If you have difficulty accessing any part of our website or attending one of our events, please let us know.

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We welcome feedback about accessibility and will consider reasonable ways to improve your experience.

Please contact:

The Darling Social
Email: thedarlingsocial1@gmail.com

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When contacting us about an accessibility issue, it would be helpful if you can tell us:

• What you were trying to access or do

• What difficulty you experienced

• What device or technology you were using, if relevant

• What you would like us to do to help

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We will aim to respond as soon as reasonably possible.

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9. Continuous improvement

Accessibility is an ongoing process.

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We will review feedback from our community, attendees, venues and event partners and use this to improve the way we plan and deliver our events.

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We may update this Accessibility Statement as our website, events and services develop.