Anti-ableist work in the arts: programming and communication
Besides infrastructure, accessible choices can also be made within programming. However, this often involves a temporary thematic interest, for example in people with disabilities. How do you consistently programme and curate artists with disabilities in your institution? And how do you communicate about this?
It is evident to include curators and programmers in your team who have a disability themselves, or are well informed about developments on this in the sector. If this is not the case, you can work with and learn from guest programmers: where is the focus, and where do you lack?
Of course, it is not only important to learn afterwards, but also to think about how you can assist someone with a disability before you employ them. For instance, within crip studies we talk about crip time: the way time perception differs for people with disabilities compared to those without. For example, the same tasks may take longer or require more energy. Some individuals also need unforeseen, longer periods of rest. Take this into account by, for example, providing several hours for certain tasks, creating low-stimulation rooms or designating a contact person where someone can raise their needs.
Also be aware that many invisible disabilities exist. Abled-disabled people can assist you by forwarding an accessibility document every time you hire someone, to make hidden disabilities visible and assist. Examples of accessibility documents can be found at SMAK or DeSingel.
Ask the people you are programming if they have an access rider or want to share specific needs. By highlighting your accessibility yourself, the person may feel welcomed to communicate about their own needs. Afterwards, also try to fulfil these needs in a consistent and sustainable way. Don’t let this be the end of this exchange, but check in regularly.
People with disabilities can feel represented not only in what you present, but also by what you organise. For example, consider organising a sensory touching tour, or inviting performers who make relaxed performances.
Want to engage further with partners who are knowledgeable on the above topics? Get information from organisations such as Staging Access vzw, Circuitsortie, Anysurfer or Wablieft.
Anti-ableist communication
For exhibitions, performances and other events, have a contact person who can answer accessibility questions. Refer to this person in all communications about the event with the corresponding contact details. It is also a good idea to draw attention to this during the event itself.
The European Disability Card shows that its bearer has a disability, even if it is invisible. Make sure your institution knows, recognises and acknowledges this card when making reservations. This can help your organisation estimate how many people with disabilities you reach, while making them feel welcome.
You can also provide specific tickets in your ticketing system for wheelchair spaces, or free extra tickets for personal assistants. Give ticket holders the opportunity to communicate accessibility needs via a text bar or e-mail.
People with psychological or cognitive impairments, as well as neurodivergent individuals, may experience barriers to participating in public events. It is important to be aware of different communication styles, and keep this slow and clear. Some people are less responsive, take longer to formulate a response, will have physical tics or stims, or will avoid eye contact. Try to deal with this without prejudice, both in spoken and written communication.
Tip: limit the use of technical jargon during public events. On wablieft.be you will find guidance on how to make your language understandable.
Is your website compatible with reading tools? Do you take into account font size, the number of italicised words and the readability of your font? Is your accessibility document easy to find, and does it include the contact details? On anysurfer.be, a project of Blindenzorg Licht en Liefde, you will find advice and training on how to make your website more accessible.
Do you share videos on your website? If so, try to provide them with Closed Captioning (CC).
Image description and alt-text
Try to provide an image description with the images on your website. An image cannot be perceived by people with low vision, but its description can be read by tools. You can also provide this image description invisibly via alt-text. Although the text is not visible on the website this way, reading tools can still read it. These are short descriptions, for example of atmospheric images. When complex information is shared in the form of an image (think graphs, maps, diagrams), you can also provide a longer description. This text will then be visible on the website. For purely decorative images, a description is unnecessary.
To facilitate accessibility, it is important to communicate about it. An accessibility document is a useful tool for this. Make sure this information is easy to find, and refer to it when communicating about your events. It is still equally important to let people know in which areas you are not accessible.
Information about the building can also be shared. For example, how many stairs are there in the entrance hall? What is the width of the doors? Is the venue accessible by public transport? Sometimes it is better to share too much rather than too little information. Include photos as well, and possibly create a social story about the visit to your institution.
You can create two types of documents: one for your audience and one for the artists, curators or other partners you work with. You can then forward this second document to all these partners. Remember that not all restrictions are visible, so do not assume that the person you are working with does not have a restriction. Also ask for the access rider of the person you are working with. You can find a template for this here.
