Information about how to increase access and inclusion in your dance programs.

1. Inclusion and Access in Dance
5 areas where you can make a big difference

2. What Is Meant By Access?
‘Access’ refers to the physical space in which the
dance activity is to be held, the content of the dance
activity, and administration and promotional
materials supporting the activity.
The degree of access required will depend on the
characteristics of the participants you are targeting
and those that may want to join. For example if your
class is for active and agile people, you may
consider holding it in a studio on the second floor of
a building without a lift. But if some of people use
mobility aids, then the stairs will present a barrier.
Don’t forget that if an injury or health event occurs,
your dance space may not longer be as accessible as
you though
Bear in mind that by holding the program in a space
without full access, this activity cannot be promoted
as being fully inclusive.

3. The physical space
A fully accessible venue is one that participants can physically enter and use
all necessary parts of the facility. This includes toilets and may include
changing rooms and/or kitchen facilities.:
1
Is the venue accessible by public transport? What is the distance
between the public transport stop and the venue?
2
Can everyone enter the venue and get to the dance space,
including those who use mobility aids, eg: wheelchairs, walkers?
3
Is parking available, including parking for people with disability
permits?
5
Are toilets for people with disabilities available?
Is water readily available?

4. Administration and promotional materials
Think about all aspect of administration from the participants’
point of view, from searching for a dance activity or program
online, making enquiries and payments, enrolling or signing up,
obtaining more information and providing feedback.
1 How is information provided?
Are all support personnel (eg: the assistant who answers
a phone call from a potential participant) trained in how
best to communicate with people from a diverse
backgrounds?
Are participants able to receive updates about the
class? For example not everyone uses email, so some
may miss out on communications that are sent only
via email.
2
3

5. Administration and promotional materials
Websites and printed materials
1 Do these conform to best practice for
accessibility in relation to design and language
used?
Remember to check with your participants as to
any access needs that you may not have thought
of.
2
3 What have we missed?

6. Class content and delivery
Tasks
1 Are tasks pitched at an appropriate
level for the participants
2 Are a range of options offered?
3 Are participants reminded to “dance with the
body they have today”, ie: work at a level that
is appropriate for them today
Sound
1
2
Is the teacher speaking with clarity and at a
volume that can be easily heard at all
times?
Is the music turned to the appropriate volume?
Is the sound supporting the activity ie: is it
at an appropriate tempo?

7. Potential Barriers to Participation
Despite your best efforts to create an inclusive atmosphere in a class
taking place in an accessible venue, individuals may still experience
barriers to participation. Some barriers include:
1 The cost of the class may be a barrier for some people
2
The time the class is scheduled may be too early or too late
in the day. This is particularly relevant for younger children.
3
The temperature in the room may be an issue for some. Young
children can overheat easily and often don’t feel the cold.

8. Individual responses
People are infinitely variable and will respond differently to the same conditions, session
material and teaching approaches.
1
Some people experience intolerable levels of
pain when doing any increased amount of
physical activity. Others may feel good in the
class but then experience heightened levels
of pain the next day
2
For some people, fatigue is an issue,
either during the class or as a
delayed reaction
3
People may be embarrassed about the
possibility of a health condition being
noticed by others in the class.

9. More questions about Inclusion and
Access?
Contact Victoria@ausdance.org.au