Arts Commission webinar lays out practical steps for making arts programs accessible

Amanda Noyes, arts and education accessibility director for the South Carolina Arts Commission, opened a webinar with ABLE South Carolina on improving access to arts programs, saying the agency’s mission is “to promote equitable access to the arts in South Carolina.”

Dori Tempeo, senior director of community education for ABLE South Carolina, framed accessibility as more than physical ramps and doors: “Accessibility is more than architectural or physical structural access,” she said, urging arts providers to make communications, schedules, food service and event design part of accessibility planning. Tempeo added that many accommodations are low-cost and that organizations should assign a contact person to handle requests in advance.

Why it matters: Tempeo told attendees that disability is a common and cross-cutting identity and that inclusive arts programming increases participation by artists and audience members who have historically been excluded. She cited prevalence…