Art and community inclusion
Individuals with disabilities have the right to be included fully in their communities. The arts are a key component of community life, and so they must be fully accessible to people with disabilities. In Why Is Art Essential for the Human Experience, Ethan Garcia writes, “Art can inspire us to think and feel deeply, and to engage with the world around us in new and meaningful ways. It can also have a significant impact on our mental health and well-being, by providing us with a sense of purpose and meaning, and by helping us cope with difficult emotions and experiences.” Inclusion of people with disabilities in the arts improves their overall wellbeing and quality of life.
How people with disabilities can be included
There have been organizations for people with disabilities such as VSA Access Special Arts (see Resources) for many years. VSA is just one example and offers workshops and special education training. Some of their categories are:
- Young musicians
- Playwright discovery
- Emerging artists
The movement has changed from focusing on events specific to those with disabilities, to making events and participation in the arts accessible to all.
New inclusive initiatives in art
Technology has played a key role in disability accessibility, including the arts. There are adaptive art tools and other assistive technology. Tools could include accommodations for both physical and intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). For example, people with visual impairments can use color identifying apps. Individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities can have the art process broken down into a series of steps or tasks. Eye tracking software can help people with paralysis to draw digital art. Voice activated software can help create projects.
Finding the right technology
According to AbilityX (see Resources), helpful apps include:
- Adobe Creative Suite - voice activated and also software for visual impairment
- Procreate – digital drawing or painting
- Doodle Buddy – drawing with stamps or stencils
- ArtRage – imitates mediums such as oil painting, watercolor, charcoal drawings
AbilityX also notes some speech and language apps to help with the creative process.
A new venue, called Access Gallery in Denver, CO, provides a way for artists with disabilities to have a career in art. The gallery “combats ableism through art.” They use artwork to breakthrough stereotypes of people with disabilities. Access Gallery is free and open to the public. This is an inclusive non-profit organization where people with disabilities can sell their artwork. As the AbilityX article states, art without limits can empower artists with disabilities.
Centers for Independent Living
There are Centers for Independent Living in each state which help people with disabilities with independent living skills. Visit www.ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory
The Progressive Center for Independent Living in NJ shared with us some of the artwork created during their recreation sessions:
Sunny days are light
Sunlight brings smiles to our faces
Dark thoughts disappear
Fluffy dogs are cute
Goofy ones bring joy to all
Love goofy fluff balls
— by Sammie Saat (with permission)
Express Yourself : Inclusion for People with Disabilities in the Arts
Art Without Limits:
Empowering Artists with Disability Through New Technologies on Creativity
https://abilityx.io/news/art-without-limits-empowering-disabled-artists-with-new-technologies-on-creativity
RAISE the Standard - Careers in the Arts
https://raisecenter.org/https-myemail-api-constantcontact-com-raise-the-standard-may-2024-html
Access VSA
www.kennedy-center.org/education/vsa
Access Gallery
www.accessgallery.org/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lauren Agoratus, M.A. is the NJ Coordinator for Family Voices, NJ Regional Coordinator for the Family-to-Family Health Information Center, and Product Development Coordinator for RAISE (Resources for Advocacy, Independence, Self-Determination, and Employment). She also serves as NJ representative for the Caregiver Community Action Network as a volunteer. Nationally, Lauren has served on the Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities transplant committee (antidiscrimination), Center for Health Care Strategies Medicaid Workgroup on Family Engagement, Family Advisor for Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs National Research Network, National Quality Forum-Pediatric Measures Steering Committee, and Population Health for Children with Medical Complexity Project-UCLA. She has written blogs and articles nationally, including publications in 2 academic journals (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=agoratus+l). Lauren was named a Hero Advocate by Exceptional Parent Magazine (www.epmagazine.com Archives June 2022).
Read the article here.