Accessibility? Yes!

Part of the beauty of the arts is sharing it with the community around you! That’s why it’s important to make sure that every presentation can be experienced by every type of audience. Work with your students to brainstorm what makes a performance accessible and eventually bring this change to your school. Start with a classroom discussion on what the word “accessibility” means and how it can be created.

Once you have that definition, source some barriers to accessibility in your school or community from your students, using this Creating an Accessible Culminating Event checklist as a guide.

Once you’ve done that, turn your focus to an event coming up at your school; this could be a recital, science fair or school assembly. Brainstorm with your students how you can make this event more accessible, taking into account the audience attending, the physical space and the content presented. Come up with at least three actionable items to promote accessibility and bring them to your school’s administration.

Then, have your class help see these items through, whether that’s through keeping in contact with staff to make sure the changes are implemented or creating signage for the day of. When it’s done, you’ll have taught your students how to think about everyday accessibility and made a direct impact on your own community.

To support this unit, please see the many resources included in the GIVE Guide.