Take the Art-reach Cohort LEAP for the inaugural 2022-2023 year!

A year-long commitment to online professional learning. This opportunity is designed for:

Cultural arts professionals in their early to mid-career level
Seasoned advocates who want to continue their understanding of accessibility services
Senior Administrators striving for change within their organization
Health and Human Service Care Teams wishing to expand offerings to clients.
Disability Self-advocates who wished to better understand the full spectrum of the disability community

Participants will build knowledge and skills in cultural accessibility and inclusion for their personal and organizational growth and development.

Join the Art-Reach team along with experienced educators and consultants with expertise in content areas for five online workshops throughout the year. Each workshop will build upon the next, adding valuable resources, reflection points, and action steps to growth.

That's not all...participants will receive access to the 4th Annual Cultural Accessibility Conference & an invitation to engage in Wrap-Up Talks with presenters of Cultural Access Forum & Exchange (CAFE) series. CAFE webinars bring cultural organizations together with members of the disability and low-income communities in January, March, and May, to focus on improving cultural access for everyone.

Voluntary reading, viewing, and listening assignments will be shared prior to every workshop, along with a workbook to build capacity for growth and strategic development within your organization.

All sessions will be hosted in zoom meeting, variable learning styles are welcome and we will work with your access needs, sessions will be recorded and transcribed for later review.

Cohort LEAP Calendar

PART I. INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ACCESSIBILITY

Cultural Accessibility Conference: September 20-22, 2022

Join accessibility allies from across the country to explore sessions and topics that range from employment for people with disabilities, to activating your board. Sessions include, live webinars, on demand videos and podcasts. All conference materials will remain available for Cohort participants for the full year.

Class 1: History of Disability and the Disability Rights Movement (Ross Newton, PhD) October 11, 2022 4-:00 -6:30 PM

Disability is everywhere in history once you begin looking for it. This session builds a foundation for understanding disability in the present-day US, taking you through a brief history of disability in the US, pausing at key moments that have led us to where we are today, and where we need to go. Participants will learn how disability intersects with histories that are commonly taught in schools and the key goals and strategies of the disability rights movement.  Lastly, the session examines the purpose and impact of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities and ongoing disability issues.

Class 2: Access Services and Equipment (Hands Up Productions & Dr. Tina Childress - Audiologists & Self-Advocate) November 15, 2022 4-6 PM

What are the legally required accessible services for patrons under the ADA? and what trends are emerging beyond federal law as best practices? Let’s meet accessible service providers involved in Captioning and American Sign Language interpretation for the Deaf/deaf and hard of hearing community. How have services changed since COVID and what steps can organization do to build community, along with providers.

Winter Asynchronous Class: Americans with Disabilities Act & Language December 2022

View Art-Reach Pre-Recorded Classes to better understand the American with Disabilities Act and its application in the cultural sector. Understand the current landscape of language, whether it is person first language and/or identity first language, recognize the fluidity and how to be an ally in building awareness, humility, and patience.

Class 3: Blind and Low Vision Experience (Vision Link) February 7, 2023 4-6 PM

Learn how folks who are blind or have low vision navigating through the world and what are the tools and services that they have found to be most effective to their needs in an arts and cultural space. Learn about technological and physical barriers and how smartphones, service animals, and verbal description have allowed for greater independence and experiences.

Class 4: Creative Aging (Creative Spark) April 11, 2023 4-6PM

This is not your usual Zoom workshop! Bring your imagination, paper, and pen. When possible, cameras on. Discover the fundamental principles of creative aging to develop and deliver programs that inspire and engage older adults. Guided by research and best practices, this interactive workshop will boost your current understanding to address social connection, growth, wellness, and culture shift.

Class 5: Cohort LEAP Reports June 13, 2023 4-6PM

After a year of the conference, classes, discourse, Cohort participants present their traffic light report to their classmates. What are the greenlights that can begin in the Fall of 2023, what still needs research, funding, and feedback, and what areas are the red lights that need further time, resources, and buy-in. Art-Reach will invite guest facilitators who plan, strategize, and consult to help chart your access goals.

Click Here to learn more about the Cultural Accessibility Conference

Click Here to learn more about the Cultural Accessibility Forum & Exchange (CAFE) Series

Cohort LEAP was built from the example and guidance set by regional accessibility consortiums and an advisory committee of disability self-advocates, allies, and service providers. Learning content will cover federal policy and practices, current topics and trends, principles of disability justice and inclusive design. Art-Reach anticipates the content will change and adapt each year, if there are gaps in the learning that you wish to explore, self-directed- we encourage you to do so. Art-Reach can provide further resources.