Community Guidelines & Accessibility

 Creating a Welcoming, Respectful, and Inclusive Space for All

At the Beaver Island Community Center (BICC), we believe that everyone—regardless of age, background, ability, or identity—deserves to feel safe, welcome, and valued. Whether you’re attending a concert, dropping in for free Wi-Fi, participating in a youth program, or simply seeking a warm place to gather, our goal is to make your experience positive and comfortable.

This page outlines our Community Guidelines and Accessibility Commitments so that every visitor can understand what to expect and how to participate in creating a respectful, inclusive space.

We thank you for being part of our community and for helping us ensure the BICC continues to be a home for everyone.

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

Our guidelines are grounded in a simple principle: respect for one another.

These rules apply to everyone—staff, volunteers, performers, guests, children, adults, and visitors—at all times, across all events and spaces.

1. Be Kind and Respectful

  • Treat others as you’d like to be treated.
  • Listen with openness, speak with care, and give others space when needed.
  • We welcome healthy conversation but will not tolerate hate speech, threats, bullying, or discrimination of any kind.

2. Celebrate Diversity

  • The BICC is a safe space for people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, faiths, abilities, and backgrounds.
  • We encourage curiosity, learning, and connection across differences.
  • Please refrain from making assumptions or comments about someone’s identity or abilities.

3. Keep It Family-Friendly

  • We are proud to serve people of all ages. Please use respectful language and behavior appropriate for a shared public space.
  • If attending with children, we ask that caregivers supervise them, especially in shared common areas.

4. Share the Space

  • Be mindful of others in shared areas like the lobby, restrooms, Wi-Fi stations, and theater seating.
  • Avoid saving more seats than you need or monopolizing tables intended for communal use.
  • Clean up after yourself and dispose of trash properly.

5. Protect the Space

  • Help us keep the Center clean, safe, and welcoming by treating equipment, furniture, and facilities with care.
  • If you notice damage, spills, or safety concerns, let a staff member or volunteer know right away.

6. Zero Tolerance for Harassment or Violence

  • We do not tolerate harassment, physical aggression, or disruptive behavior under any circumstances.
  • Anyone violating this policy may be asked to leave and, in serious cases, banned from the Center or reported to authorities.

If you experience or witness behavior that goes against these guidelines, please speak with a staff member. Your voice matters, and we are here to listen and respond.

ACCESSIBILITY COMMITMENTS

At the BICC, we believe accessibility is not a feature—it’s a foundation. We are actively working to make sure everyone can access our programs, events, and facilities with dignity and ease.

Below is an overview of our current accessibility features and accommodations. If you have specific needs or suggestions, we encourage you to contact us directly. We’re always learning and striving to do better.

Wheelchair and Mobility Access

  • Entrances: Our main entrance is fully wheelchair accessible with no stairs and automatic doors.
  • Restrooms: We have accessible, gender-neutral restrooms available on the main floor.
  • Theater Seating: Our upstairs theater has designated wheelchair-accessible seating. We are happy to reserve space in advance if needed.
  • Elevator Access: An elevator is available to access the second-floor theater and meeting rooms.
  • Paths & Parking: Sidewalks are paved and smooth, and we offer designated accessible parking spots near the main entrance.

If you need help getting into the building or navigating the space, our staff and volunteers are more than happy to assist.

Sensory-Friendly Accommodations

We understand that busy events and crowded spaces can be overwhelming for some of our guests, especially those with autism, PTSD, sensory processing disorders, or anxiety. That’s why we offer:

  • Sensory-Friendly Movie Screenings: With softer lighting, lower sound, and a relaxed environment where talking or movement is okay.
  • Quiet Spaces: Ask our staff for a calm, quiet room if you or your child need a break from activity or noise.
  • Sensory Tools: Weighted lap pads, noise-canceling headphones, and fidget tools are available by request at the front desk.
  • Visual Schedules & Social Stories: Available in advance for certain youth programs and events to help children know what to expect.

We are actively building more sensory-friendly options into our programming. If your child or loved one has specific needs, please contact us—we’ll do our best to make their experience supportive and enjoyable.

Family & Child Accommodations

We are a family-centered space and offer several services to support caregivers and kids of all ages.

  • Changing Tables: Available in both restrooms.
  • Nursing-Friendly Spaces: Caregivers are welcome to breastfeed or bottle-feed wherever they feel comfortable. A private nursing area is available upon request.
  • Kid-Friendly Activities: We provide coloring sheets, toys, and books in the lobby and café area to keep children entertained during wait times.
  • Stroller Access: All public areas of the building are stroller-accessible.

Children are always welcome here, and we do our best to create programming and environments that support both kids and their caregivers.

Communication & Language Access

We strive to make communication as inclusive as possible.

  • Printed Programs & Flyers: Available in large print upon request.
  • Email & Website Content: Designed to be screen-reader compatible.
  • Live Events: We are working toward providing ASL interpretation or captioning for select performances and lectures. Please contact us in advance to request interpretation.
  • Service Animals: Fully welcome in all areas of the Community Center. Please ensure animals are leashed and under control at all times.

If you require communication support not listed here, we invite you to contact our team so we can explore ways to accommodate you.

Help Us Improve

We know that accessibility and inclusivity are ongoing efforts, not one-time solutions. We are committed to continually listening, learning, and evolving.

If you experience a barrier or have feedback about how we can improve, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly:

📧 [email protected]
 📞 (XXX) XXX-XXXX
 📍 In person at the front desk during business hours

Our Promise

At the Beaver Island Community Center, our promise is simple: everyone belongs.

Whether you’re here for a concert, a movie, a youth workshop, a cup of coffee, or a quiet moment—you are welcome here.

Together, we build not just a community center, but a culture of inclusion, care, and respect. And that’s only possible when we all take part—by showing up, by reaching out, and by helping one another feel at home.

Thank you for being part of our community. We’re so glad you’re here.