Audio-Reader Marks Successful Introduction of Arts Accessibility Forum

LAWRENCE — The Audio-Reader Network at the University of Kansas, an audio information service for individuals who are blind, visually impaired or print-disabled, kicked off the Arts Accessibility Forum, a project to significantly expand arts accessibility across Kansas and western Missouri, on Friday, November 14.   

Thanks to the generous hosts at Theatre Lawrence, a partner of the Arts Accessibility Forum, the convening had a wonderful space to convene in allowing for both in-person and Zoom attendees to strike up important conversations about accessibility and the arts. 

Representatives were present from The Coterie Theatre, Lied Center of Kansas, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, The Whole Person, Mid- America Arts Alliance, KABVI, National Federation of the Blind, Independence Inc., the Kansas University Center on Disabilities., and Audio-Reader Network volunteers. Attendees were able to connect and network with other arts professionals and similar organizations. Arts professionals, Audio-Reader patrons, and members of the disabled community were all in attendance to further their knowledge of making art experiences more available and accessible to those who are blind, visually impaired, or suffer from a disability.  

The event introduced and explained the project’s goals, helped participants learn about audio-description, and attendees heard the impact of offering arts accessibility firsthand from those who rely on audio-described performances. 

Presenters Nick Carswell and Martha Kehr challenged the audience to imagine watching their favorite movie or play with their eyes closed. "What would you miss? What jokes, gestures, or visual cues would go unnoticed without the ability to see them?" they asked. Those are the elements that audio description (AD) aims to capture. As Audio Description Project founder says, "It's the visual made verbal." 

Blind theater patrons spoke to the importance of AD and how it can benefit people of all types of ability. The room discussed universal design, how accessibility fosters equity across ability spectrums, and broke out into small groups to dive deep into the topic of how to utilize AD at their places of work and beyond. 

The Arts Accessibility Forum continues with the second convening scheduled for Wednesday, January 28th - a Hybrid event located at the Lied Center of Kansas Pavilion and on Zoom. It will expand the discussion beyond audio description, adding topics such as cultural events and art from B/LV creators. Audio-Reader will also host a reception and pre-show experience on Saturday, December 13 at The Coterie Theatre at Crown Center before the show Elf- The Musical YTA starting at 1:00 PM for members of the AAF or public who want to experience AD in action.

A huge thank you to everyone who came and supported Audio-Reader's mission of making the arts available and accessible to everyone! Keep up to date on the Forum on https://reader.ku.edu/artsforum.