EnAbling Change

Accessibility for the Performing Arts

 

 

General Information

Webinar Dates (Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30pm ET): February 8 & 22, March 8 & 29, April 19 and May 3, 2022. 

Coffee chats follow each webinar on Fridays, 10:30-11:30am ET. 

Cost: Free 

Platform: Zoom meetings 

Interpretation options: French-English simultaneous interpretation, ASL, LSQ, audio description (for the March 29 session) and closed captioning in English.  

Description

Have you always wanted to make your performances and operations more accessible, but are not sure where to start? Or maybe you have already started, but looking to expand your knowledge on the subject? Are you interested in expanding the palette of artistic offerings that you bring to your community? Do you want to learn more about your organization’s legal obligations under Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)?  

Orchestras Canada – in collaboration with Ontario Presents and Réseau Ontario, and in consultation with disability arts consultant Rachel Marks – is presenting six expert-led webinars titled EnAbling Change: Accessibility for the Performing Arts. Topics will include: An introduction to disability justice and accessibility legislation (specifically, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act); marketing; venues; programming (for performers, workers AND audiences); and community collaboration and partnerships. 

Webinar Topics: 

 

  • February 8 & 11: Why Accessibility? An Introduction to the AODA and Disability Justice (Now complete)

In this introductory session, we’ll walk through the accessibility standards and requirements set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) — often considered the “gold standard” in Canadian accessibility legislation. Furthermore, you’ll learn about a Disability Justice framework for understanding accessibility.

Read speaker biographies

Webinar Recording: English | French

 

  • February 22 & 25: Marketing and Accessibility (Now complete)

Marketing is essential to getting the word out about what we do, but are our messages accessible to all? This week’s sessions will touch on important considerations and best practices for accessible marketing in the performing arts. 

Read speaker biography

Webinar Recording: English | French

 

  • March 8 & 11: Venue Accessibility and Venue Guides (Now complete)

Whether you own your venue or rent it, there are ways to ensure your space is more accessible. Hear from experts on how to assess, communicate, and put venue accessibility into practice. 

Read speaker biographies

Webinar Recording: English | French

 

  • March 29 & April 1: Programming (Part 1) – d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Blind or Partially Sighted Accessibility (Now complete)

This amazing panel of speakers will present on ways to make your programming accessible for d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Blind or Partially Sighted communities. You won’t want to miss it! (Audio description available at this session)

Read speaker biographies

Webinar Recording: English | French

 

  • April 19 & 22: Disability Justice & Programming (Part 2) – Mobility Accessibility and People Management 

In the first portion of this session, we will revisit a Disability Justice framework for understanding accessibility. Then we will learn more about making the performing arts more welcoming to folks with mobility disabilities and dive deeper into how your organization can manage people, on and off stage, with accessibility front and center.

Read speaker biographies

Webinar Recording: English | French

  • May 3 & 6: Community Collaborations

Community collaborations are full of potential, though there are things you’ll want to think about before you embark. In this session, learn from artists and organizations about how to work with each other in ways that are mutually enriching and fulfilling…. and that generate great art! 

Read speaker biographies

 

Register now: