Statement of Inclusion and Belonging of The Orange County Book Fair

At the OC Book Fair, we believe that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, equity, and respect at our community event where all individuals, publishers, bookstores, organizations, writers, and volunteers regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, age, education or any other personal characteristic, feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique talents and perspectives. We strive to ensure that all voices are valued and heard.  

We’re dedicated to modeling inclusion and belonging, maintaining a welcoming and accessible environment where everyone belongs and diversity is celebrated.  We seek to partner with allies who share these values.

1. Diverse Panelists and Exhibitors: We have actively sought out a wide range of voices from different backgrounds, including authors, publishers, and exhibitors from underrepresented communities. Our selection process has been guided by a commitment to showcase diverse perspectives and stories that reflect the rich tapestry of our society.

2. Inclusive Planning Committee: Our planning committee itself is composed of individuals from various backgrounds and experiences. This diversity within our team helps ensure that different viewpoints are considered in every aspect of the fair’s organization.

3. Accessibility Measures: We are dedicated to making the fair accessible to everyone. This includes:

   • Physical Accessibility: Ensuring that event spaces are wheelchair accessible and equipped with necessary facilities.

   • Signage: Displaying clear and easy-to-read signage with volunteers on hand to read signage for those who need assistance.

   • Personal Assistance: Having volunteers dedicated to personally assist attendees who require support.

   • Drop and Pick up point: Designating an area where those with disabilities can be dropped off and picked up where it is convenient to the venue and all facilities.

   • Reserved Seating: Reserving front row seats for people who have disabilities.

   • Live Captions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing 

   • Sensory-friendly storytimes

   • Rest areas

   • Quiet spaces with quiet activities for kids

   • Accessibility Information Booth 

   • Noise-canceling headphones

   • Programming inside the Senior Center for a quieter environment

   • Lanyards will be available to all people with disabilities who wish to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition. 

   • Large Print Program

   • Plain Text Digital Program

4. Community Outreach: We have engaged with local community organizations to understand and address the needs of diverse groups. This ongoing dialogue helps us tailor our programming, moderating, storytelling and logistics to be as inclusive as possible and to build a sense of belonging and community.

5. Feedback: We have established channels for attendees to provide feedback during and after the fair. This allows us to continuously improve and address any concerns promptly, ensuring the fair continues to evolve and better serve the community.

We believe that these efforts will create an accessible environment and enrich the book fair experience for everyone. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, equity, respect, and diverse perspectives in every aspect of the event, creating a community of belonging where all voices are heard and celebrated.