Krystal S. Lowe
Krystal driftwood trees Dec 21 7525sm.jpg

Writer

The Exploration of Integrating Access

The Exploration of Integrating Access:

A Sharing of Ways to Integrate Access in Dance and Theatre Agenda

with Krystal S. Lowe, Stephanie Back, Yvonne Murphy, and Elise Davison

December 10th 10:00am – 11:30am

Welcome and Introduction into the project: Krystal

  • The Exploration of the Greater Accessibility of Whimsy was a four-month exploration of integrated access in dance and theatre funded by Arts Council Wales, Welsh Government, and The National Lottery. This agenda outlines key learning outcomes throughout this informal, artist-led process.    

Whimsy is the story of a girl who loves nature and comes to love herself. A two-woman dance theatre work, sparking imagination as we watch Whimsy fly high wi...

Part 1. Lived Experience: Krystal

Jonny:

  •          Hears in colours- Make Whimsy more visual/Doesn’t like ‘access’ – it should be a given.

“Nothing about us without us”
— Jonny Cotsen

Stephanie:

“Deaf audiences are being let down”
— Stephanie Back

  •     The panic when you can see lips moving but there is no explanation – We must establish why they’re speaking.

  •   If D/deaf audiences give critical feedback then that means they trust enough to share and help make things better.

  •        Don’t say who the access is for – just explain what you’re offering.

  •          ‘Access being cared for – like the interpreter – means those using the access also feel cared for.’

  •          90% of Deaf children are born to hearing parents – What does this mean for the spaces we create with the intention for D/deaf people feeling welcomed to be who they are?

“You can really tell when access is thought about and when it’s a last-minute decision.”
— Stephanie Back

Part 2. Rehearsal Period: Yvonne

 

Jonny:

  •         Allowing for shorter work days and/or mid-week days off during rehearsal period.

  •       Having Deaf artists and Interpreters consulting from the start – Why don’t we just bring them in at the end to take a look? Ensure good oversight with the development of the work/consultants/BSL interpreter/and test audiences.

Stephanie:

Elise:

  •          Access to Work and ACW Additional Access Budget.

Part 3. Performance: Yvonne

Steph:

  •          Simplified Text and Creative Captions

  •         Pre-show character descriptions and giving context to the storyline – The programme with the story inside for people to read beforehand.

  •          ‘Social model of disability’ – What is it and why is this important?

  • ·         Visual Vernacular

Elise:

  •         Marketing: E-flyer, BSL flyer, Audio flyer, Welsh language flyer: Diversity doesn’t end with D/deaf artists – how do we ensure a mixture of race and ethnicity in the marketing as well?

  •         Why can’t we use BSL while speaking? ‘Sign Supported English’

  •         The importance of ensuring there are D/deaf people employed on the project.

  •          No jargon

    Yvonne:

  •         Relaxed Performances? – What are they and why do we need them?

  •          ‘Start at the point of the user’ – ‘Go to where people already are’

  •          Free or half-priced tickets for personal interpreters or support workers.

 

Development Plan based on Sessions: Krystal

Contact Me for sharing notes, transcript and recording.

Krystal Lowe