Jump Into Accessibility:
Deep Dive Day 2023
SOLD OUT
Wed, Sept 13, 8:30am-12:30pm
Woodland Park Zoo (in-person only)
We are pleased that so many community members are interested in joining our first-ever mini-conference. The event is now SOLD OUT. Email seattlecac@gmail.com to register for our waitlist. If you are interested in attending more SCAC events, please sign up for our newsletter.
This mini-conference will cover important accessibility topics including: removing barriers for venue accessibility, neurodiversity in the arts, ASL and captioning, and universal design for learning. Thirty-minute "lightning" sessions, led by experts in the field, will cover priority considerations for each topic and provide practical tools that cultural professionals can apply to their accessibility strategies in programs and spaces. There will also be several moderated Q & A sessions. Coffee and snacks provided.
Learning Objectives:
Learn the essentials for each topic and how to prioritize accessibility for each
Learn three action items for each topic to implement right away
Develop connections with speakers and others in the arts sector
Tickets cost $25 and registration is required by August 30th. We want all folks interested in making accessibility a priority in your organization to attend. If cost is a barrier to your participation, please reach out to us at seattlecac@gmail.com. Tickets include access to the opening keynote, all sessions, and refreshments.
Captioning and ASL interpreters provided.
Information on masking protocols: see our COVID Safety Plan.
For further accessibility information or to request additional accommodations, please contact us by email at seattlecac@gmail.com by September 1st.
Agenda
8:30 - 8:45 am
Keynote
Anne Dalrymple, Chief People Officer, Woodland Park Zoo
8:45-9:15 am
Bake Inclusion into Your Learning: Applying the Principles of Universal Design
Alexander Jones, Accessibility Learning Specialist, Woodland Park Zoo
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework that can be applied in educational spaces to bake inclusion into programming and is a critical part of the accessibility equation in cultural institutions. In this session, you will learn several concrete ways in which UDL principles can be applied within your cultural institution. These principles are integrated into simple accessible solutions you can implement so that your guests feel an increased sense of belonging in your spaces.
9:15 - 9:25 am
Break
9:25 - 9:55 am
Removing Barriers: Creating Accessible Spaces
Andrea Kovich, Accessibility Specialist, Studio Pacifica
Existing facilities have an on-going obligation to remove barriers to access. This can sound like a daunting process when not broken down to determine a reasonable action plan. This presentation will share five common issues in arts and cultural facilities that can be easily addressed by in-house facilities staff, maintenance personnel, and others interested in increasing accessibility in existing spaces.
9:55 - 10:25 am
Coffee Q&A panel moderated by Troy Coalman, Director of Donor Impact, Wellspring Family Services
10:25 - 10:55 am
Embracing Neurodiversity: Fostering Inclusion in Artistic Spaces
Tiffany Sparks-Keeney, Inclusive Arts Consultant, Sensory Friendly Specialist and Occupational Therapist
The term "neurodiversity" refers to a wide range of ways people take in, process, and respond to stimuli in their environment. In this session we'll start with learning some common patterns of information processing and behavioral response among people and how these may manifest in artistic spaces. From there we'll discuss a variety of accommodations arts organizations can implement to create inviting, welcoming spaces for all people, and some best practices for communicating about those accommodations.
10:55-11:05 am
Break
11:05 - 11:35 am
ASL Interpretation and Captioning: The Magic of Communication Access
Patty Liang, Executive Director, Deaf Spotlight, and Elizabeth Ralston, Accessibility Consultant and Founder/Director, SCAC
Communication access in the cultural arts and entertainment sector does not have to be difficult to implement. If ASL interpretation and captioning are provided, your events will GAIN new audiences, supporters and financial opportunities, while highlighting your organizations’ efforts to make everyone welcome. From a universal design perspective, captioning also benefits everyone! Join Patty and Elizabeth as they discuss beneficial opportunities and strategies for using ASL and captioning in artistic spaces.
11:35 am - 12:05 pm
Coffee Q&A panel moderated by Troy Coalman, Director of Donor Impact, Wellspring Family Services in Seattle
12:05 - 12:30 pm
Networking
Speakers
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Accessibility Consultant and Founder/Director, Seattle Cultural Accessibility Consortium
Elizabeth Ralston (she/her) is a consultant working at the intersection of community health, nonprofits and accessibility. She has over 25 years of experience working with nonprofits, government agencies, and academic institutions. She has a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan and a certificate of Nonprofit Management from the University of Washington. Her expertise is in maximizing organizations’ success through program development, strategic communications, and event planning, all with an eye on accessibility.
Photo ©Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation/Charina Pitzel
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Director of Donor Impact, Wellspring Family Services
Troy Coalman (He/Him) is Director of Donor Impact, Wellspring Family Services in Seattle, Washington, a position that encompasses his personal and professional passion. His current role encompasses strategic vision for individual fundraising efforts, oversight of Wellspring’s grant program and data administration. He is also a member of the organization’s Operations Team and executive sponsor of the newly formed LGBTQ+ employee resource group, Queerspring.
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Accessibility Specialist, Woodland Park Zoo
Alexander Jones (he/him) was hired at the end of 2020 as the Learning Accessibility Specialist, a position funded by an Institute for Museum and Library Sciences grant to carry out the Guest Inclusion Program. The Guest Inclusion Program is focused on creating inclusive programming across the zoo based on the principles of Universal Design for Learning. Alexander joined the zoo from The Outdoors for All Foundation, where he created immersive programs for participants. He is passionate about accessibility and how it intersects with engaging individuals in a learning environment.
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Executive Director, Deaf Spotlight
Patty Liang is the Executive Director of Deaf Spotlight, which oversees artistic and cultural programming to support Deaf artists and their work. Throughout her career, Patty has pursued opportunities that encourage the Deaf community to embrace and celebrate the arts. She has a BFA in Ceramics from the University of Washington, and an MA in Nonprofit Management for the Arts from New York University. She believes that everyone has the ability to create and express their story through the arts.
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Inclusive Arts Consultant, Sensory Friendly Specialist and Occupational Therapist
Dr. Tiffany Sparks-Keeney’s (she/her) passion is expanding organizations’ visions of accessibility to encompass the full range of human diversity. Through her practice, Inclusive Arts OT (inclusiveartsot.org) Dr. Sparks-Keeney helps organizations consider the broad spectrum of barriers to arts participation and develop and implement practices, programs and performances that welcome people of all abilities and identities. Inclusive Arts OT is the perfect synthesis of her education, Dance in Theater (BS), Occupational Therapy (MOT), Educational Leadership (EdD), her work experience in those areas, and her lived experience as a biracial, neurodiverse person with a disability. Her current clients include Seattle Opera and Seattle Children’s Theatre. She has presented locally and nationally on increasing arts accessibility and welcomes all opportunities to talk about her favorite subject.
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Chief People Officer, Woodland Park Zoo
Anne Dalrymple (she/her) was the executive champion for the Employees with Disabilities ERG in her previous leadership role and led recruitment for diversity outreach efforts, as well as a leadership development program for emerging leaders. Anne brings a People & Culture perspective and a vision to connect with colleagues across the zoo to advance DEAI as a D&I Council member and ally.
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Accessibility Specialist, Studio Pacifica
Andrea Kovich (she/her) has over 10 years of experience in the architecture field, with the majority of that as an Accessibility Specialist with Studio Pacifica. She reviews construction drawing sets for compliance with federal and state accessibility codes—including the 2010 ADA Standards, the 2012, 2015, 2018, and upcoming 2021 IBC, the 2009 and 2017 ICC A117.1—and other applicable guidelines, such as the Fair Housing Act and the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards. She also does facility assessments for Arts & Cultural projects. Andrea is a certified ADA Coordinator and an ICC Certified Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner.
COVID Safety Plan
Jump Into Accessibility: A Deep Dive Day is a mask-affirmative, non-judgmental space where we aim to work together to accommodate each other's individual and communal needs. Although we encourage participants to consider masking to protect everyone from airborne illnesses, we also acknowledge that everyone's needs are different. While masking can provide benefits, it can also result in barriers to communication and participation.
We invite our attendees to make the choice that is right for them, while asking for support from others to meet those needs. We also know that comfort levels or needs may shift during the conference. Our team will have a limited supply of KN95 masks at Registration should you need one.
We will continue to follow the latest safety guidelines from the CDC and King County. Any updates to the policy will be posted on this page and registrants will be notified. For more information, please contact us at seattlecac@gmail.com.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What if I forget to bring a mask or decide I need to wear one?
Our team will have a limited supply of KN95 masks at Registration should you need one.
What other protocols are in place at the venue?
Operable windows in the venue will be open for increased airflow. Speakers will be six feet away from audience members, but will remain unmasked during their presentations.
What happens if I feel unwell or test positive?
If you are feeling unwell, please do not attend the event. If you test positive, do not attend the event. Our team will work with you to find the best solution to your needs and circumstances.
Will testing be available on-site?
Due to the half-day timing of the event, we will not be providing COVID tests onsite. We encourage folks that believe they have been exposed to COVID to test immediately. If you test positive for COVID after attending the event, we request that you inform SCAC so that we can reach out to other attendees.
If I register and then no longer feel safe coming in person, what can I do?
Please contact our team if things change and you no longer can or are willing to attend the mini-conference. We have a flexible refund policy in place, and will share takeaways after the event.
What happens if I come to the conference and I decide I'm not comfortable being there in person?
Please see staff at Registration or contact us at seattlecac@gmail.com. A member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible about options.
I still have questions. Who can I contact?
Please contact seattlecac@gmail.com.
