Drama Interaction ADA Access Plan Policy Statement
Drama Interaction welcomes participants of all ages and all abilities (including singers, guest performers, dancers, musicians, Board and Advisory Committee members) and audience members with disabilities. The policy of Drama Interaction is to ensure equal opportunity for all people to participate in and benefit from programs and activities of Drama Interaction, regardless of race, gender, national origin, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.
Background of ADA Policy Statement and Implementation Plan:
Drama Interaction designed and implemented its first ADA Policy and Implementation Plan (ADA Plan) in 2013. This Plan was approved by the Board of Directors following review and approval by VSA Arts Minnesota.
Drama Interaction’s Advisory Committee, consisting of board members, parent support group, teachers and advisors of the community address ongoing accessibility issues for Drama Interaction members in reaching and attending performances, rehearsals, classes, and events. Drama Interaction is committed to ensuring that its own members with motor disabilities or difficulty standing for lengths of time are accommodated with comfortable chairs or benches. In addition, Drama Interaction’s bathroom, office, rehearsal and storage space is fully accessible for Drama Interaction members. Upon request, Drama Interaction engages ASL interpreters for performances. They are then invited to rehearsals, so that they can become familiar with music, scripts, dance and lyrics they will interpret.
Participant surveys are conducted asking questions about the overall performance experience and solicited, with open-ended questions, participant comments on aspects of their performance experience that were particularly good or that needed improvement. Information from the surveys are compiled and reviewed by the Board of Directors. Drama Interaction will continue to follow up on future survey comments.
Drama Interaction anticipates that its ADA Plan will be reviewed at least annually to update and assess their utility.
Accessibility Implementation Plan Statements and 2018 Status:
Policies and Management
1. Drama Interaction will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Special arrangements will be made on an as-needed basis to ensure that this policy goal is met.
Status: This is an ongoing goal that shall be reviewed annually. Drama Interaction currently accommodates performers who require physical assistance at classes, rehearsals and at self-sponsored performances. It reviews access to performance venues prior to accepting invitations to performances and strives to accommodate all participants who require it.
2. Drama Interaction shall not discriminate on the basis of disability against individuals with disabilities that desire to become members, its Board of Directors, Advisory Committee, or any subcommittees of these groups.
Status: This is an ongoing goal that shall be reviewed annually.
3. Drama Interaction will incorporate review of its ADA plan into its periodic strategic planning and will use its best efforts to ensure that ADA goals set forth in its strategic plan are met in a timely manner.
Status: The Board of Directors is currently working to ensure the ADA Plan is incorporated into the Strategic Plan for 2013-18, and the ADA Plan shall be reviewed annually.
4. Drama Interaction shall provide suggestion forms to any employee, Board member, audience member or other individual who wishes to comment or provide feedback about accessibility issues. Concerns and feedback regarding accessibility issues can also be communicated to Drama Interaction through e-mail or in person, and reasonable accommodation, e.g., a sign language interpreter or a physically accessible meeting space, shall be provided to any individual who wishes to convey suggestions to Drama Interaction. Accessibility suggestions shall be considered promptly, and a response shall be provided to the individual making the suggestion or complaint in writing or alternative format requested by that individual within 30 days of the date of submission of the suggestion or concern. Drama Interaction may consult with others, including Minnesota State Arts Board or VSA Arts Minnesota regarding an appropriate response.
Status: Currently, Drama Interaction is in compliance. The Advisory Committee members have been identified, and members are encouraged to approach them with any concerns they have, including accessibility concerns. Audience feedback is solicited at performances periodically.
5. Drama Interaction shall post its ADA Plan on its website, and information regarding accessibility accommodations in programs and other communications with the public.01-05-2019
Status: Drama Interaction’s website was recently reconstructed and the ADA Plan will be posted by end of 4th quarter 2018.
6. Drama Interaction shall compile and maintain a file of accessibility resources to enable timely compliance with accessibility related requests.
Status: This is an ongoing goal that shall be reviewed annually. Currently, Drama Interaction is in compliance.
7. Drama Interaction shall review the contents of the ADA Plan at least annually and shall revise it as deemed necessary by the organization to better meet its overall plan.
Status: This is an ongoing goal that shall be reviewed annually. Currently Drama Interaction is in compliance.
Programs and Activities
1. A copy of Drama Interaction’s ADA Plan will be distributed to all new members, students, performers and musicians in their new membership packets. It will also be available to interested individuals in the rehearsal space, office and on its website. Updates to the ADA Plan are announced to the members.
Status: The ADA Plan has been distributed to new members of the Choir, is available in the office and will be loaded to Drama Interaction’s website by the end of 4th quarter 2013.
2. Upon request with a 14 day notice, any of Drama Interaction’s written information will be made available in alternative formats including Braille, large print and audio tape. Upon request, a sign language interpreter shall be available to interpret all self-sponsored performances.
Status: This is an ongoing goal that shall be reviewed annually. Currently, Drama Interaction is in compliance.
3. Drama Interaction will review its website to identify compliance issues affecting visitors who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, or manually impaired.
Status: Drama Interaction’s website was recently reconstructed. This point will be addressed as users visit the site and make comments/suggestions.
4. Drama Interaction shall be cognizant of the need for some performers and musicians to share rides or take public transportation to rehearsals and events and shall strive to hold rehearsals and performances at times and in venues that are accessible by safe public transportation. For performances outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Drama Interaction will strive to provide accessible transportation for performers.
Status: This is an ongoing goal that shall be reviewed annually. Currently, Drama Interaction is in compliance.
5. Drama Interaction shall provide stools for performers that are unable to stand for extended periods of time during performances. Members of Drama Interaction who require additional reasonable accommodations to perform with the program shall be accommodated.
Status: This is an ongoing goal that shall be reviewed annually. Currently, Drama Interaction is in compliance.
6. Drama Interaction shall have a first-aid emergency kit available at self-sponsored performances and all rehearsals.
Status: Drama Interaction has obtained a first-aid kit.
Facilities
1. Drama Interaction will ensure that its rehearsals and all self-sponsored performances are physically accessible to all individuals who desire to attend. Physical accessibility shall include parking, entrance areas, seating area and restroom areas.
Status: This is an ongoing goal that shall be reviewed annually. Currently, Drama Interaction is in compliance.
2. Drama Interaction shall raise the issue of accessibility in discussions with promoters or hosts who contract with them to perform. Drama Interaction will use its best efforts to ensure that all its performances in spaces not controlled by them shall be physically accessible to all who desire to attend.
Status: This is an ongoing goal that shall be reviewed annually. Currently, Drama Interaction is in compliance. Drama Interaction has not formalized its communication with prospective performance venues, asking specifically what accessibility accommodations exist there; however, the issue of accessibility is discussed during booking arrangements.
13/2018