This one-year pilot program is aimed at helping regional arts and culture organizations to more effectively welcome people with disabilities to their facilities, programs and events as visitors and patrons, artists and performers, employees and volunteers. A variety of educational opportunities provide creative, affordable approaches to increasing accessibility and expanding audiences to include the disability community. This program also fosters greater understanding of and compliance with changing regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which take effect in 2011-12.
GPAC's Increasing Accessibiltiy initiative is composed of several pieces and still growing. Explore each component by clicking through the submenu or on the links below.
Visit our Resources page for web-based reports, articles, and guides for making arts and culture accessibile to all audiences.
For more information and to find out how to become involved in the Arts Council's accessibility initiative, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 412.391.2060, x233.
Dee Delaney Accessibility Fund
Named for the former executive director of the FISA Foundation who led efforts to improve the lives of people will disabilities until her retirement in 2010, this new grant program will support projects that increase the accessibility of arts facilities and programming. Applications and guidelines will be available by November 1, 2011 for a grant deadline of February 1, 2012. The fund is supported by the FISA Foundation and the R.K. Mellon Foundation and YOU. You can donate now to make Pittsburgh arts and culture more accessible to all!
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, working with several partner organizations, will be hosting and co-sponsoring professional development and education programs as a part of this initiative. Past programs include a "Lunch & Learn" series during the summer of 2011 where participants learned the many facets of making arts and culture accessible to all audiences.
AccessWorks! Facility Reviews/Audits
Three arts and culture organizations were selected to receive subsidized, comprehensive facilities audits from the experts at Accessibility Development Associates, Inc., ADA, Inc.
Resources
We have compiled lists of Local Disability Service Providers to help you accommodate persons with disabilities and Local Disability Community Organizations which can also be great resources for reaching out to various audiences. See our Resources page for more web-based articles and information about accessibilty in arts and culture.
If you know of other resources, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will share them with our community.
Program Partners
FISA Foundation
FISA Foundation is pleased to support "Increasing Accessibility in Pittsburgh Arts and Culture Organizations." Founded 100 years ago as the Federation of Independent School Alumnae by uncommon women of courage, strength and compassion, FISA Foundation invests in solutions that result in systemic change to improve the lives of women, girls and people with disabilities. In 2011, the FISA Foundation celebrates 100 years of women making a difference. For more information, visit www.fisafoundation.org
Accessibility Development Associates, Inc.
Accessibility Development Associates, Inc., ADA, Inc. is a Pittsburgh-based company that specializes in providing a range of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) consulting services to businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, government agencies, and other public or privately owned entities. These services focus on providing architectural, programmatic and attitudinal access to individuals with disabilities, and in assisting organizations in their efforts to comply with the ADA and other relevant Federal, State or local disability-related, anti-discrimination laws. Since 1992, the staff has provided ADA technical assistance to more than 500 clients in communities across the United States, and performed more than 10,000 ADA facility reviews/evaluations.
