Beth Stoffmacher's blog

This Toolkit was created by the Texas Commission on the Arts and covers such topics as: Fundraising, Development, Programs and Exhibitions, Cultural Tourism, Advocacy, Leadership, and Non Profit Basics.

Advertising your organizations physical and programmatic accessibility is an integral part of broadening your audience to people with disabilities. Both the physical and programmatic accessibility of services are equally important for your organizations accessibility plan. Some examples of access services include: sign language interpreters, audio describers, touch tours, and large print materials.  All of these accommodations help to increase your audience participation by individuals with disabilities.

To follow are some suggestions on developing a successful accessibility advertising plan to help your organization include individuals with disabilities both in your performances, as well as is in your audiences.

The web tour represents the work of artists with disabilities, highlighting the talent within the disability community. The nature and content of the online arts and disability community is constantly growing and changing. 

When talking to an individual with a disability it is important to take some things into consideration. The following books, videos, and suggested web sites provide examples on how to communicate respectfully and sensitively with people with disabilities, offering tips on communication, etiquette, people first language, relationships, and awareness.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 makes it illegal to discriminate against anyone who has a mental or physical disability in areas of employment, public services, transportation, public accommodations and  telecommunications. In September 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice published revised ADA regulations in the Federal Register that update and amend some of the provisions in the original 1990 ADA regulations. These changes include revised accessibility standards called the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design which establish minimum criteria for accessibility in design and construction.

This resource provides information on how to make your museum program accessible for patrons with disabilities:

This is a list of funders, information clearing houses, and publications that may assist you in funding additional funding resources: funding opportunities for arts organizations to include individuals with disabilities into their arts programs.  

Funders, information clearinghouses, and publications that may assist you in funding additional funding resources.