D&D: What can we do to mainstream disability arts and support disabled artists, audiences and participants? An invitation from Chris Williams and Drunken Chorus: 2019 sees the third year of A Bit Of A Do - a mini-festival of performances from artists and companies with and without disabilities. This year we have asked Improbable to return to the festival to host an open space event to discuss how we can make the arts more accessible to artists, audiences and participants who are disabled, d/Deaf and visually impaired. We want to address how we can breakdown barriers between disability arts and the so-called ‘mainstream’. Can we imagine a future in which all arts events and activities are accessible to everyone? And a time when there is no longer a distinction between ‘disability arts’ and the ‘mainstream’? Some issues that are up for us include: Accessibility for audiences and artists (including publicity material); How collaborations between disabled and non-disabled artists and companies can remove barriers and help do away with labels; The role of programmers and producers in including disabled and non-disabled artists on the same platforms / line-ups (without labels, or ‘disability seasons’); More diversity in decision-making, planning, programming and producing at all levels; Where to get quality training in providing all round access for events, festivals and venues; You might have some thoughts, answers or questions of your own to share - this event is all about us doing the work together on the things we really care about. We’d like to invite anyone who works in the arts and has an interest in or connection to disability to come and join the conversation. Whether you’re a disabled artist, work with an organisation supporting disabled artists, work for a local council, are a carer… or connected to / passionate about disability arts in any other way. We hope you’ll join us! Drunken Chorus and DISCO DISCO This event, and A Bit Of A Do festival, is supported by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, Croydon Council, Stanley Halls, Croydon Mencap and Willow Learning for Life. Accessibility: The building is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets. Seating is cabaret style, with moveable chairs, and all on one level. Drunken Chorus will have a specially trained festival front of house team, who will be on hand to support with access. This event features British Sign Language and/or English interpretation. Selected workshops include supported access for visually impaired audiences. If you have questions about access please contact Chris Williams, who is the designated access officer for the event - email [email protected]. Booking for this event has now closed. Book