Tips for adaptations and accommodations to create accessible restorative justice conferences/circles for everyone.

1. Creating Inclusive Restorative Justice Conferences - Kelly Bron Johnson
-State at the opening that in a spirit of inclusion, while the order of speaking and the process
needs to be respected, people are welcome to engage in ways that make them most productive
and comfortable to actively participate in the process. This may include freedom to stim1
, move,
or do other quiet activities during the conference.
-Assume competence from everyone, always. Trust that if given proper support, all people can
actively participate in and gain valuable insight and healing from restorative processes,
regardless of their diagnosis.
-Participants should be asked ahead of time to avoid chemical scents (perfume, cologne, strongly
scented deodorants, body washes, shampoos) before attending. This helps those who are very
sensitive or allergic to scents.
-Hand out a visual schedule of the order of the process ahead of time, with approximate times for
each step so that participants know what to anticipate. Stick to the schedule as much as possible -
start and end on time in order to reduce anticipation anxiety.
-Depending on the type of conference, it may be appropriate to plan a movement, water, or
toileting break at the halfway point.
-Have available a variety of seating options, rocking chairs, bouncy balls, pedal desks, bean bag
chairs, and allow people to select what they prefer.
-Allow people to have non-disruptive fidgets (stress balls for squeezing, tangles, chewies) to
manipulate while listening.
-Expect stimming* and self-soothing/regulating movements like rocking, flapping, toe tapping,
fidgeting, or bouncing, without ascribing any emotion or ill-intent to them.
-Allow for people to colour, knit, sew, or do some other quiet activity that helps them pay
attention. (It may appear to others that they cannot or are not actively listening, but for many
people with ADHD, doing another passive activity helps them to actively pay better attention to
what is being said. Rather than being perceived as rude, they should be viewed as doing what
they need to do to engage their brain in a way that helps them best listen and communicate.)
-Natural lighting is preferred over bright fluorescent lights.
1
*Behavior consisting of repetitive actions or movements of a type that may be displayed by people with
developmental disorders, most typically autistic spectrum disorders; self-stimulation.

2. -Objects in the center of the circle should be relevant to the content of the circle and not overly
shiny, colourful or distracting. Scented candles or those with real flames should probably be
avoided.
-If texts need to be read, have them written in plain language2
and use a larger font. Use visuals
to support the text. Dyslexic-friendly fonts are a bonus.
-Avoid using metaphors, idioms or sarcasm when speaking.
-Give extra time for those who are using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
and give them silence while they type out their thoughts. Ask permission if they would like you
to “voice” out loud what they just wrote or use their device to voice for them. An assistant may
be voicing for someone using a letter board to communicate.
-If a person has an assistant respeaking for them, for example, a person with cerebral palsy who
speaks unclearly and then the assistant repeats what they said clearly, address the person directly,
not the assistant.
-If you are working with a sign language interpreter, address and speak to the Deaf3
participant
directly, not the interpreter. There is also no need to preface your statements with, “tell them I
said this....” Just speak naturally and look directly at the participant.
-Provide visual supports for emotions (pictures of faces expressing feelings). Picture cards can be
selected or pointed to when people are having a hard time expressing themselves.
-Do not assume people who show flat affect, have nervous or inappropriately timed laughter, or
don’t seem to be showing the “correct” facial expression at the right time are not feeling a depth
of emotions or empathy. There can be delayed or poorly timed reactions. Also some people go
completely mute/nonverbal when under stress and may need to use alternate communication
methods to continue.
-Participants may be wearing ear defenders or other noise reducing ear plugs. They can still hear
you and you shouldn’t assume they cannot hear or that you have to raise your volume.
-Try to eliminate background distractions as much as possible. This includes background music
or conversations and heavy foot traffic outside the room.
3
I am using Deaf to include all deaf, deafened and Hard of Hearing
2
Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can
understand the first time they read or hear it. https://www.plainlanguage.gov/about/definitions/
Completely Inclusive ©2021 2