Removing Barriers: A Practical Introduction to Disability Equality

• This course is suitable for anyone working in theatre; disability equality is not just a front of house responsibility, but must permeate your organisation if there is to be real impact

LEARNING OUTCOMES – AT THE END OF THIS COURSE YOU WILL

• be able to demonstrate an understanding of the Social Model of disability and its implications for the way theatres work
• be able to critique the cultural assumptions of your organisation in order to minimise the impact of unconscious bias in your organisation
• be able to describe your main duties under the Equality Act (2010)
• have the beginnings of an action plan for embedding disability equality in your theatre
• have ideas for where to go for further information

Michèle Taylor is Director for Change at Ramps on the Moon, the Arts Council funded consortium of mid-scale mainstream theatres seeking to increase the number and visibility of D/deaf and disabled people in the industry. She has been delivering training in disability issues for nearly thirty years and has a background as a theatre practitioner, including work with Graeae Theatre. She is committed to ensuring that D/deaf and disabled people’s stories are told in our theatres.

Michèle’s training sessions are interactive and dynamic, with space to bring doubts, anxieties and concerns as well as strategies, ideas and enthusiasm.

Michèle is a registered member of the Institute of Equality and Diversity Practitioners.

TUTORS FOR BASIC DEAF AWARENESS

Jeni Draper is Artistic Director of fingersmiths, a visual physical theatre company performing plays in BSL and spoken/written English and also a freelance director. Jeni is a qualified sign language interpreter specialising in performing arts. She runs workshops and delivers consultancy for theatres nationally, interpreters and for young people.

Daryl Jackson is a sign language consultant and linguistic expert in translation. He has worked with many theatres, TV and film companies in this role, monitoring actors and presenters. He has taught Interpreting and Sign Theatre at Universities and regularly delivers workshops nationally. Daryl is also an actor and TV presenter.