Programs Accessibility Basics

Accessibility Basics

Back to Basics

Go back to the Basics with Art-Reach! Formerly known as the Art-Reach Cohort, Art-Reach Access Basics is our new-and-improved professional development series, offering the same foundational education at an affordable price. Our session topics will cover the very basics of accessibility–a great starting point for arts and cultural staff seeking to further accessibility initiatives at your organization.

Participants have the flexibility to join our 6-session series either a-la-carte, or register for the full series at a discounted rate. Join us in learning from disabled and allied professionals, thought leaders, activists and artists, and come prepared for interactive discussions with your fellow attendees.

Affordable professional development

Art-Reach has rebuilt our professional development to now be $25 per session. Participants have the option of purchasing individual sessions or purchase all six sessions as a package for $100. Learn on your budget and your time.

Arts and cultural professionals local to Art-Reach’s service area (Greater Philadelphia and Brandywine Valley) are eligible to attend the full series free of charge. A limited number of scholarships are available, and made possible with support from the William Penn Foundation.

We are also excited to share that Art-Reach will be able to offer a limited number of scholarships to the 2026 Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Conference, which will be held in Philadelphia in August 2026!

In depth virtual and hybrid workshops

All sessions will be hosted in Zoom with autogenerated closed captions. We will work with your access needs, and each session will be recorded, captioned, and sent to attendees after. Our 2-hour long sessions will incorporate lectures and discussions, with greater emphasis on interactive learning. We will have one hybrid session, lead by Lisa Sonneborn of Temple Institute on Disabilities, to kick off the spring sessions. Information on location and capacity to come soon.

Learn from our network of accessibility professionals

Take part in professional development with lived experience at the center. From Disability Justice to building inclusive programs- prioritize time to learn from disabled and allied professionals, thought leaders, activists, and artists alike.

Access Basics Sessions

All sessions will take place from 3pm-5pm EST.

Disability Justice in Arts & Culture Spaces

September 9, 2025 – Akili Davis

In Philadelphia, the poorest major US city, 1 in 4 people identify as disabled. While Philly has a thriving art scene, many experiences and opportunities are not available to everyone. In this session, participants will learn about core disability justice principles, how they intersect with the arts and culture landscape of the city, and practical solutions for creating welcoming and accessible spaces for all in a largely inaccessible historic city. Join Akili Z. Davis, writer, curator, and accessibility consultant, to hear about her path to disability justice work, the people whose work inspires her, and how she utilizes her experiences as a disabled woman to increase the accessibility of arts events for others.

Blind & Low Vision Audiences

October 14, 2025 – Vision Link

VisionLink presents an exclusive virtual session designed to deepen understanding of vision loss and equip participants with practical strategies for inclusive arts programming. This insightful and interactive session covers foundational knowledge on eye diseases, local vision statistics, and their impact on daily life and arts engagement. Participants will learn best practices for creating engaging and accessible programming, including an interactive visual description activity using a mural example.

Take the Ramp - Understanding how physical accessibility works for everyone.

Nov 11, 2025 – Katie Samson

Let’s explore physical accessibility in arts and cultural spaces. From doorways to doorknob, surface materials to lighting, building a foundation in physical accessibility can help spot challenges before they arise. After learning some of the fundamentals in universal design and the architectural barriers act, this class will take you on some interactive assessments so you can put your skills to the test. Come away with a practical guide to approach physical spaces within your organization.

IDD Community

February 10, 2026 – Lisa Sonneborn

Description coming soon.

ASL and d/Deaf Community

March 10, 2026 – Hands Up Productions

Accessibility in the arts isn’t complete without Deaf audience inclusion. This session explores the practicalities and impact of offering ASL interpreting services in cultural, museum and performance settings. Learn how to plan, budget, market, and implement ASL accommodations that do more than meet compliance—they build lasting community relationships and expand your audience. This presentation offers actionable tools and real-world examples to help your organization become truly inclusive.

Captioning, devices, and access services for the hard of hearing community

April 14, 2026 – Dr. Tina Childress

Join us for a dynamic class focused on creating inclusive cultural experiences for deaf/hard of hearing individuals. Together, we will explore practical solutions that ensure everyone has equal access to museums, galleries, theaters, and other cultural venues. By the end, you’ll leave with a practical action plan to make cultural spaces welcoming for deaf/hard of hearing patrons, ensuring they can fully immerse themselves in the richness of our collective heritage. Embrace this opportunity to champion accessibility and create memorable experiences for everyone.

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