Accessible Resources

Cultural Accessibility Forum & Exchange (CAFE) creates dialogue between the cultural community and the human service sector to expand understanding and practice in accessibility.  

CAFE

What is CAFE?

Cultural Accessibility Forum & Exchange is a dialogue series driven by Art-Reach. CAFE brings cultural organizations together with members of the disability and low-income communities to focus on improving cultural access for everyone.

This forum addresses issues of cultural accessibility in order to:

  • Enhance accessible accommodations offered by the Greater Philadelphia cultural community
  • Encourage arts providers within the sector to continue their efforts in making experiences accessible to patrons with disabilities
  • Expand awareness of the need for such efforts

CAFE was launched in 2015, during the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act being signed into law. Art-Reach believes that more can be done when we work together, and learn from one another. These forums invite the arts community and members of the disability community to share best practices, learn about advances in the field and hear from thought leaders in cultural accessibility from across the country.

Let’s keep in touch!

Join ACCESS Jawn

Access Jawn is a Philadelphia-based peer-group powered by Art-Reach to foster a community of cultural professionals who are dedicated to increasing accessibility in the arts. We welcome individuals who are new to the field, an expert, and everyone in between for helpful conversation, knowledge sharing, and FUN!

Join us on Slack for conversation and in-person every third Tuesday of the month for Happy Hour!

Join Access Jawn on Slack

Sign up for emails about CAFE

Get notifications about upcoming CAFE Events.




Upcoming CAFE sessions:

Just the Ticket: Ticketing Law & and Best Practices

by Dani Rose, Ticket Philadelphia & Alex Boyle, Art-Reach
Wednesday, February 12th  | 3-5 PM
Ticketing is often the first point of contact for a guest experience at a cultural organization, whether it is over the phone, online, or in person. In this session, we will discuss the regulations and standards for ticketing laid out by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and how they apply in a theater or museum environment. Participants will learn about the requirements for accessible seating and auxiliary aids, as well as best practices for enhancing the overall guest experience through ticketing and customer service. Most importantly, participants will leave with an understanding that reaching compliance with the ADA is just the first step toward creating equitable access to the arts.

Register here for Just the Ticket

Smart Captioning Glasses

by Marcie Bramucci, Peoples Light & Lisa Sonneborn, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University
Wednesday, April 15th  | 3-5 PM

Multimedia Accessibility

by PhillyCAM
Wednesday, June 10 | 3-5 PM

View Past Presenters

2019

Understanding Service Dogs by United Disabilities Services Foundation Service Dogs.

Accessibility Planning: The Key to Successful Inclusion, presented by John McEwen, Executive Director of New Jersey Theatre Alliance

Know Before You Go Videos featuring the Students at Museums in Philly (STAMP) Teen Council 

2018

Build A Bridge International presenting, Fostering Resilience through Art Making

Elizabeth Clay presenting, The Digital Welcome Mat: Is Your Website and Marketing Accessible to the Disability Community

I AM, Documentary Film by Art-Reach

2017

The Makers of Fierce Kind of Love 

Cultural Access Network Project 

Anne Mulgrave, Manager of Grants and Accessibility at the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

Dynah Haubert is a staff attorney with Disability Rights Pennsylvania and Johnny Crescendo a leader in the disabled people’s movement.

Roger Ideishi, Associate Professor of Instruction in Rehabilitation Sciences Program Director

Hearing concrete steps we can take and conceptual changes to new approaches was extremely helpful.

— CAFE participant