Support

The following organisations provide information and support for both access providers and students with special needs.

Training Students with Disabilities

Dance is a continuously evolving art form that includes ground-breaking work by disabled performers. With disability legislation firmly in place, pre-vocational schools, vocational schools, state schools and universities have active admissions policies that ensure students with special needs receive training that is relevant both to their needs and those of the industry. You can visit www.equalityhumanrights.com for further information on disability legislation and rights.

When you have decided on the school(s)/course(s) to which you want to apply, contact the admissions office to discuss your needs before submitting your application. Tell the school of any special requirements you have so that it may offer accurate guidance; this will help during the audition/interview process as well as the training. Additionally, if you intend to train at a school away from home, it is important to discuss any access needs you may have in relation to domestic accommodation and transportation.

An increasing number of inclusive courses are also offered by disability-specific and integrated dance companies. These courses range from part time classes, to workshops, to full time performing arts and access programmes in Further and Higher Education. Refer to the Disability Arts Organisations section for these companies contact details.

Companies

The following companies specialise in integrated work. Visit the websites below for up to date information:

• Amici Theatre Dance Company
• Anjali Dance Company
• Blue Eyed Soul
• CandoCo Dance Company
• Chicken Shed Theatre
• Common Ground Sign Dance Theatre
• Corali Dance Company
• 3D dance
• FRONTLINE Dance
• Green Candle Dance Company
• Magpie Dance
• Signdance Collective
• StopGap
• TouchDown Dance

Your National Dance Agency will have information on integrated workshops and initiatives in your area. The Association of National Dance Agencies lists the nine English National Dance Agencies in the UK. You can visit their website for further information.

Disability Arts Organisations

The organisations listed below work at local and/or regional levels engaging disabled people in arts activity and supporting disabled artists working across all art forms.

• Artlink West Yorkshire
• DADA — south (Disability Art Development Agency)
• DASh (Disability Arts in Shropshire)
• EQUATA
• Full Circle Arts
• LDAF (London Disability Arts Forum)
• NWDAF (North West Disability Arts Forum)
• ARCADEA (North East Art, Culture & Disability Equality Agency )
• Shape London
• Theatre Resource