Accessibility and transparency are key pieces in how organizations conduct meetings. With the passage of Indiana House Bill 1167 (HB1167), public agencies, including school boards and local government offices, must adapt to new standards, ensuring their meetings are accessible online by the public. Understanding these changes and incorporating streaming solutions into your organization will help you stay compliant while enhancing communication and engagement.
HB1167 requires public agencies in Indiana to provide live streaming and recordings of public meetings on accessible, public platforms. Any and all recordings must also be available for download or inspection without charge. The goal of this bill is to increase transparency, giving community members easier access to important discussions and decisions. This legislation reflects a growing expectation for digital accessibility, making it essential for organizations to stay ahead of the curve and invest in high-quality AV solutions.
Streaming public meetings ensures greater participation from community members who may not be able to attend in person. It allows members of the community to stay informed of and engage with key decisions. Streaming also supports record-keeping as digital archives store accurate records of the meetings.
To comply with HB1167 and maximize the benefits of streaming, organizations should consider the following steps:
A reliable audio and video system ensures clear, professional-quality broadcasts. When setting up your streaming equipment, you’ll need high-definition cameras for clear visuals and quality microphones and speakers to ensure all voices are heard. Your streaming set-up goes beyond just physical equipment as you’ll need streaming software that seamlessly integrates with your website, social media, and any other platform you’d like to host your live stream.
Selecting the right platform for your live streaming ensures seamless access for viewers. Many popular options include YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and custom web pages where you can provide ad-free experiences directly from your site. The key to selecting a platform is knowing where your community goes online and where they’ll most likely access your meetings.
Technical issues can disrupt meetings, so it's crucial to run test streams. Before your meetings, check to ensure stable internet connection, audio and video quality, appropriate camera angles and microphone placement.
To ensure compliance, you’ll want to sufficiently train meeting facilitators to handle the camera and microphone operations, common troubleshooting, as well as the archiving and organizing of recorded meetings for future access.
Implementing streaming solutions for your organization can seem daunting, but the right AV setup makes the process smooth and efficient. Blades AVS specializes in customized streaming solutions, ensuring your meetings run seamlessly while meeting compliance requirements. From selecting the right hardware to training your team, we can help you navigate this transition with ease.
As HB1167 takes effect, now is the time to integrate streaming into your meetings. Contact Blades AVS today for expert guidance and tailored AV solutions to enhance transparency, engagement, and efficiency.
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