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WHAT IS VSA?

WHAT IS VSA?. Art Access For All. VSA . ARTS ACCESS and Why it Matters. Who are People with Disabilities?. Who are People with Disabilities?. Families and Friends. Older Adults. Definition of Disability.

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WHAT IS VSA?

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  1. WHAT IS VSA? • Art • Access • For • All

  2. VSA

  3. ARTS ACCESS and Why it Matters

  4. Who are People with Disabilities?

  5. Who are People with Disabilities?

  6. Families and Friends

  7. Older Adults

  8. Definition of Disability • With respect to an individual disability is: • 1. a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual • 2. a record of such impairment; or • 3. being regarded as having such an impairment

  9. Hidden Disabilities

  10. Disabilities • Physical Disabilities • Orthopedic Impairments/Health Impairments • Sensory Disabilities • Vision/Hearing • Developmental Disabilities • Intellectual Disabilities/TBI/Autism Spectrum Disorder/Multiple Disabilities • Learning Disabilities • Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities • Speech/Language Disabilities

  11. “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

  12. WHAT DO PATRONS WITH DISABILITIES WANT? • Input • To be valued as customers • One point person who is knowledgeable and understands their needs. • Good customer service. • People with disabilities are the ones who know what they need or want. For much too long, assumptions have been made FOR them, rather than WITH THEM.

  13. People First Language Speaking with Awareness • The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightening and the lightening bug. Mark Twain

  14. DON’T USE The handicapped Confined to a wheelchair or wheelchair bound The blind Deaf and dumb or mute People First Language Speaking with Awareness

  15. People First Language • People First Language puts the person before the disability • The words we choose to use, say a lot about how we think and feel. Using language that is respectful lets others know that, “this is a place where people of all abilities are welcome and valued!”

  16. Principles for Communicating with Persons with Disabilities • RELAX: Treat people with respect and consideration. • Speak directly to the person rather than through a companion or interpreter. • If you offer assistance, wait for the offer to be accepted. Then ask/listen for instructions. • Identify yourself, and others with you, to a person with a visual impairment.

  17. General Tips • See the person who has a disability as a person, not as the disability. • Listen to the patron. • Be considerate. Let the patron set the pace walking and talking. • Keep the patron informed… communicate! Let them know what is going on if there is a delay or other unexpected situation

  18. General Tips • Always ask: “May I assist you?” • Follow up by asking: “How may I assist you?” • Don’t take offense if assistance is refused Treat the patron with dignity, respect, and courtesy

  19. 3 A’s of Accessibility • A – Accommodations • What we offer, to whom, how it works • A - Ask • “May I help you?” If yes, “How may I help you?” • A – Attitude • People first language, Quality Customer Service

  20. Benefits of Access • Increased Attendance • New Funding Sources • More Community Visibility • Public Perception BETTER PROGRAMS FOR ALL!

  21. Ten Steps to Accessibility in the Arts • Know how the law applies to your organization, patrons, and audiences with disabilities • Designate an accessibility coordinator from your organization that will lead the organization in its efforts to comply with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) • Create an ADA Access Advisory group or committee

  22. Ten Steps to Accessibility in the Arts • Conduct an ADA survey of your facility and program to identify existing barriers and discriminatory policies or practices • Create an ADA plan for your organization that addresses program accessibility, barrier removal, effective communication, new construction and alterations • Adopt a policy statement about your organization’s commitment to accessibility

  23. Ten Steps to Accessibility in the Arts • Train your staff • Implement your ADA plan • Promote and advertise your accessibility plan • Conduct an ongoing review of accessibility efforts

  24. Where do we go from here?

  25. RESOURCES • VSA arts of Florida • www.vsafl.org • Design for Accessibility: A Cultural Administrator's Handbook • www.nea.gov/resources/Accessibility/laws.html • John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts • www.kennedy-center.org/accessibility • National Endowment for the Arts • http://www.nea.gov/resources/Accessibility/index.html

  26. RESOURCES • Graphic Artists Guild • www.gag.org/resources/das.php • Hearing Loss Association of America • www.hearingloss.org • Lighthouse International/ • www.lighthouse.org • U.S. Department of Justice Disability Rights • /www.ada.gov • U.S. Census Bureau/ • www.census.gov

  27. VSA Florida • Marian Winters • 813-974-0721 • mwinters@usf.edu

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