How can I make my art more accessible?
The Connecticut Office of the Arts wants all arts venues and programs to be truly inclusive to everyone in our communities. The following resources can help you make creating and enjoying the arts more accessible than ever.
Grantees
National Endowment for the Arts Section 504 Self-Evaluation Workbook: All grantees complete this workbook to learn about accessibility requirements and receive funds.
Artists and Arts Organizations
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Resources
- Accessibility Publications, Checklists, and Resources
- Design for Accessibility: A Cultural Administrator's Handbook: Get an overview and how-to guide for making arts programs accessible.
- Accessibility Planning and Resource Guide for Cultural Administrators: This step-by-step guide helps arts organizations comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- NEA ADA tip sheet: Review this summary of the 2010 revisions that apply to arts and cultural organizations.
- Brief Accessibility Checklist: This handy checklist help your arts or cultural organization improve accessibility.
Regional and National Resource Organizations
- New England ADA Center: Receive guidance and training on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that is tailored for your business, government, or individual needs.
- NEA Office for Accessibility: You’ll find technical assistance and guidance online or contact them at:
Phone: 202-682-5532
TTY: 202-682-5496
Fax: 202-682-5715
Email: accessibility@arts
- NEA Office of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity: Contact them for help at:
Phone: 202-682-5454
TTY: 202-682-5695
Assessment & Planning Resources
Checklists
These checklists can help you gauge the accessibility of your facility, programs, and services; set short-term and long-term goals for improving accessibility; and develop plans and monitor progress.
- ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities Based on 2010 Design Standards
- Arts and Humanities Accessibility Checklist: This resource was developed by the Accessibility Offices at the National Endowment for the Arts and has not yet been updated to reflect the 2010 Regulations on the Americans with Disabilities Act or the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design.
Website Accessibility
- W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): See the guidelines and learn how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities.
- U.S. Access Board Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Meet these accessibility standards and guidelines for people with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities.
Exhibit Design
- Everyone’s Welcome: The Americans with Disabilities Act and Museums
- Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibit Design
- Inclusive Digital Interactives: Best practices and research
Meetings and Event Planning
- Accessible Meeting Planning
- Accessible Temporary Events, A Planning Guide
- A Planning Guide for Making Temporary Events Accessible to People with Disabilities
- Removing Barriers: Planning Meetings That Are Accessible to All Participants
ADA Regulations, Guidelines, Standards, and Rules
The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division developed a website that provides information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act. The following link to current regulations, design standards, and guidance to use together.
If your organization is a state or local government organization such as a public school, library, town office, etc., you have obligations and requirements under Title II of the ADA and need to comply with applicable state and local laws.
- 2010 Regulations for Title III Organizations
- 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
- Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
- 2010 Regulations for Title II Organizations
- US Access Board Guide to the ADA Standards
- ADA Guide for Small Business
Service Animals
- ADA Requirements: Service Animals
- Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals
- Kennedy Center Accessibility Tip Sheet: Service Animals and the 2010 Revised ADA Guidelines
Ticketing and Admissions
- ADA 2010 Revised Requirements: Ticket Sales
- ADA National Network on Ticketing
- Kennedy Center Accessibility Tip Sheet: The Impact of the 2010 Revised Regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Hold and Releases Policies for Wheelchair-Accessible Seating
Accessibility Symbols
The Graphic Artists Guild: Download disability access symbols to help you promote accessibility for people with disabilities.
Universal Design
Universal Design Center pdf guide