Inclusion Philosophy

Inclusion efforts of all kinds must be made by event organizers, so all are welcome and able to participate.

Consideration Inclusion-0001:

Event organizers should encourage competitors with mobility considerations to share personalized requests for consideration before the competition.

    • Competitors with mobility considerations should reach out to event organizers in the weeks before the competition if they would like to make a specific request for themselves which aides in the equity of the competition.

    • Fulfill mobility consideration requests that have been granted by the event organizers.

    • Elevate any day-of mobility consideration requests to the event organizers.

    • Encourage competitors with mobility considerations to share personalized requests for consideration in the weeks ahead of a competition.

    • Create a place on the event registration form for competitors with disability considerations to inform the event organizers of accommodations/requests they would like considered.

    • Reply to competitors with disability considerations as quickly as possible.

    • NOTE: A past competition example:

      A competitor who uses a wheelchair requested to sit at a table positioned in the last row of tables in the corner, allowing the to more easily navigate to and from the table, and made it easier to switch sides of the table during a pairs competition.

    • NOTE: Requests are not “one size fits all”. Each person is unique and will have different requests for consideration.

    • V.0: Published 2025-1-1

    • V.1: Re-published 2025-2-6

      Added bullet points 2 and 3 under “Event Organizing”.

Consideration Inclusion-0002:

The venue in which competitions are held must be fully functional for competitors with mobility considerations including: 

  • Private and functional restroom stalls/cubicles 

  • Functioning elevators/lifts if applicable 

  • Safe evacuation routes 

    • None.

    • None.

    • Complete a walk-through of the competition space ahead of the competition to ensure all point of this consideration are met.

    • V.1: Published 2025-2-6

Consideration Inclusion-0003:

Competitors with mobility considerations should be allowed to enter the competition space first, to allow easier navigation.

    • Competitors with mobility considerations should inform the event organizers during registration or in the weeks ahead of the competition of a mobility consideration, including if access to the competition space ahead of its opening to all competitors will be helpful for them individually.  

    • Meet competitors with mobility considerations at the predetermined meeting location and allow them access ahead of the competition space being opened to all competitors. 

    • Communicate with event organizer to inform them when the competitor(s) with mobility considerations have safely arrived at their competition table so the competition space can be opened to all competitors. 

    • Inform competitors with mobility considerations before the competition that they will be allowed to enter before others, so they know to be there on time. 

    • Identify and communicate a meeting location ahead of time for competitors with mobility considerations, as they will be allowed access to the competition space ahead of its opening to all competitors.  

    • Inform judges/volunteers of any competitors with mobility ahead of time, and assign assistance tasks as needed. 

    • Make clear announcements of when specific competitors may enter the competition area.  

    • V.1: Published 2025-2-6

Consideration Inclusion-0004:

Simultaneous verbal and visual countdowns should be provided at the start and end of competitions, in support of competitors: 

  • Who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing 

  • Who speak a language other than the official language(s) of a particular competition. 

    • None.

    • If full-scale visual countdowns for the start and end of a competition are unavailable, a judge should stand where requested by a competitor, so they may see a visual countdown with universal hand signal number that matches the timing of the verbal countdown. 

    • If a digital event clock is being used and it has a 10 second countdown feature for the start of the competition, this is a preferable feature to use in competition in support of competitors who need a visual countdown.  

    • If a full-scale visual countdown for the start and end of a competition are unavailable, work with competitors who request a visual countdown ahead of the competition to determine if they would like a judge to provide a visual countdown that matches the verbal countdown.

    • V.1: Published 2025-2-6

Consideration Inclusion-0005:

Although it is stated in most competitions that the height of each table should remain the same, special consideration may be given to competitors with disabilities if it will help ensure a more equitable competition experience.

    • Competitors with special considerations should reach out to event organizers in the weeks before the competition if they would like to make a specific request for themselves which aides in the equity of the competition. 

    • Fulfill special consideration requests that have been granted by the event organizers. 

    • Encourage competitors with individual considerations to share personalized requests in the weeks ahead of a competition.  

    • Event organizers should have a place in the event registration form for competitors with disability considerations to inform the event organizers of what accommodations/request they would like considered.  

    • Event organizers should reply to competitors with disability considerations as quickly as possible.  

      Example reason for adjusting the table height for a competitor: Use of mobility aid and its ability to fit under the puzzling table. 

    • V.1: Published 2025-3-14

Consideration Inclusion-0006:

Event organizers are encouraged to be aware of cultural observances, local events, and community impacts when scheduling their puzzle event.

    • None.

    • None.

    • Event organizers should ensure they are informed of and consider the impact of cultural observances that may occur immediately before/during/immediately after their scheduled event. Be aware of cultural observances based on: Specific dates, specific days of the week, times of day

    • When possible, honor individual requests from competitors who request specific competition heat times that allow them to fulfil their cultural observance(s). 

    • Event organizers should be aware of local events and community impacts that could affect the overall competitor experience. Be aware of:  Public holidays / Bank holidays, major sporting or other local events that may put additional stress on the local transportation and hospitality infrastructures. 

    • Event organizers should consider the impact that such events may have on prospective competitors’ willingness and/or ability to attend their event. 

    • V.1: Published 2025-3-14