Accessibility Consulting

You want to make your organization more accessible. You don't have to figure out how by yourself.

Working with disabled artists and students can raise questions that organizations aren't always prepared to answer.

• Is the space actually accessible?
• What is the difference between ADA-accessibility and universal design?
• How can I make a non-ADA-compliant space more accessible for a specific artist?
• What accommodations do disabled performers need?
• How should we ask about access without making someone uncomfortable?
• What should our policies say?
• How do we respond when a barrier comes up during a production?
• How can we make accessibility part of our process instead of scrambling to solve problems at the last minute?

Services

Accessibility Assessments

An assessment can help identify barriers that may prevent disabled artists, students, employees, or audiences from fully participating.

An assessment can cover ADA compliance, access needs beyond ADA accessibility (because the ADA is really the bare minimum), or increasing accessibility where ADA compliance is not possible.

Depending on your project and goals, we can look at physical spaces, backstage environments, rehearsal areas, dressing rooms, restrooms, classrooms, workplace practices, communication systems, policies, and production processes.

Accessibility Planning

Accessibility works best when it is considered before the first rehearsal, first class, or first day on the job.

I can help you develop practical plans for productions, educational programs, events, workplaces, and organizational initiatives.

Policy Development

I can help organizations develop or review policies related to accessibility, accommodations, disability inclusion, and workplace access.

Disability Inclusion Practices

Accessibility goes beyond physical access.

We can look at the practices and expectations that shape how disabled people experience your organization‐from hiring and onboarding to communication, rehearsals, classrooms, accommodations, audience experience, and workplace culture.

Accessibility Renovations & Solutions

If your space has a specific accessibility barrier you hope to address, I can explore possible approaches, and prioritize practical next steps, including connection to other accessibility professionals and grant opportunities.

Training Seminars / Workshops

I offer customized training and facilitated conversations for organizations that want to build disability inclusion into their everyday practices.

Training Topics Can Include

Disability & the Arts

An introduction to disability culture, disability representation, and the realities disabled artists may encounter in professional arts environments.

Anti-Ableism & Accessibility

Explore how ableism can show up in arts organizations, production processes, classrooms, workplaces, and creative decision-making.

Working With Disabled Performers

Practical guidance for directors, choreographers, educators, stage managers, production teams, and other collaborators.

Accommodations & Access

Learn how to approach accommodation conversations, plan for access, and create processes that don't place all of the labor on the disabled person requesting access.

Accessible Rehearsals & Productions

Practical strategies for incorporating accessibility into rehearsals, classrooms, performances, and production workflows.

Front-of-House & Audience Access

Support for organizations looking at the audience experience as part of their larger accessibility practice.

My Approach

Accessibility is complicated and nuanced. Perfect accessibility for every disabled person is impossible! In a time of decreasing arts funding, my approach is progress not perfection, and leadership of those most impacted. Disabled-led solutions that fit within your unique constraints and budget.

• Collaborative ‐ We work together rather than treating accessibility as something done to your organization.
• Practical ‐ Recommendations always need to be implementable within the constraints of each situation.
• Disabled-led ‐ If you're taking access advice from someone who is not disabled, 9 times out of 10 that's a bad sign
• Sustainable ‐ Where possible, the goal is to help organizations develop practices they can continue using.

Who I Work With

• Theatres
• Performing arts organizations
• Colleges & universities
• Theatre & dance programs
• Arts education organizations
• Film & production companies
• On-camera productions
• Other creative and educational organizations

Ready to Talk?

You don't need to know exactly what service you need.

Tell me what's going on and we'll figure out what kind of support makes sense. Contact to learn more about rates.

Pacific Northwest focused.

Remote services available on a case-by-case basis.