Accessibility Training

Varies across program

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Image: Lead Peer Session. Credit: Courtesy, National Endowment for the Arts.

Introduction

Mid Atlantic Arts’ accessibility convenings and training opportunities support our commitment to greater accessibility in the arts and cultural sector of the mid-Atlantic region.

Want to learn about how to request accommodations or about Mid Atlantic Arts commitment to accessibility? Visit the Accessibility Policy page.

Arts & Culture Accessibility Self-Assessment Study Group  

To request accommodation, contact Program Director, Performing Arts & Accessibility Coordinator Sarah Lewitus at slewitus@midatlanticarts.org or 410-539-6656 X 110.  

Mid Atlantic Arts invites arts & culture organizations located in our funding region to participate in a virtual accessibility self-assessment study group.  

In the virtual study group, organizations will complete Open Door Arts’ Arts & Culture Accessibility Self-Assessment and will benefit from the collaboration and accountability that comes from doing this work among peers. Mid Atlantic Arts will provide stipends of $500 for up to 12 organizations that commit to participating in this study group, to help organizations prioritize time to do this work. In addition to this financial incentive, participating organizations will benefit from consultation with facilitator Dani Rose, an award-winning accessibility advocate and certified ADA Coordinator with a decade of experience championing radical inclusion. 

As a participant in the study group, you will move through Open Door Arts’ Arts & Culture Accessibility Self-Assessment tool. This free, comprehensive, fully electronic tool was created specifically to help arts and cultural organizations understand and improve their accessibility. The Self-Assessment is disability centered and balances best practice with compliance. It is filled with resources to learn throughout the process and gives you the tools you need to grow.  

All study group activities are virtual. The study group runs from June through November 2025, meeting approximately monthly. You can find detailed information about the Self-Assessment Study Group in the document linked below, including full schedule, facilitator information, preview interest form questions, and FAQ.   

FY25_Accessibility_Self Assessment Study Group Details.docx  (link downloads for opening to new tab)

FY25_Accessibility_Self Assessment Study Group Details.pdf 

Click here to submit an interest form to be part of the Accessibility Arts & Culture Self-Assessment   

Click this link to learn more about Open Door Arts’ Arts & Culture Accessibility Self-Assessment tool!   

Webinars & Virtual Resources

Mid Atlantic Arts and Americans for the Arts are partnering to offer free webinar packages on arts and disability justice for local and state arts agencies in the mid-Atlantic region. Through robust dialogue around disability justice, artistry, and access, these webinars aim to strengthen accessibility practices, beyond compliance, that manifest in incremental and tangible outcomes to benefit the disability community. Webinars are available to staff and board/council members from local and state arts agencies in the mid-Atlantic region.

Upcoming webinars & virtual resources will be posted here when available. Recordings of past webinars & virtual resources will be available below.

State Arts Agency Training & Peer Learning

With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, Mid Atlantic Arts provides travel reimbursement to State Arts Agency partners in our region for training related to best practice in accessibility and disability justice, including attendance at LEAD.

Mid Atlantic Arts’ Accessibility Coordinator convenes State Arts Agency accessibility coordinators in the mid-Atlantic region for quarterly peer-to-peer learning and share-outs on our respective work creating access and advancing disability justice in our respective organizations.

Resources

Recordings of Webinars & Virtual Resources developed by the Mid-Atlantic Accessibility Resource Committee (MAARC) & Americans for the Arts:  

Opportunity & Support Type
Other, Travel Expenses, Technical Assistance
Target Candidate
Open to all, Federally-recognized Indian tribal government, Units of government, Members of Art Agencies, Performing Arts Presenter, Artist/practitioner
Discipline
Accessibility
Regional Requirement
All U.S. States and Territories
DC
DE
MD
NJ
NY
PA
PR
USVI
VA
WV
Questions or need guidance?
Sarah Lewitus
Program Director, Performing Arts and Accessibility Coordinator
Funding support provided by:
  • National Endowment for the Arts Logo. Black copy with a red and blue stacked line running underneath.
  • Color Americans for the Arts logo.