Accessible Arts Arts Center

AAI receives frequent calls from art teachers and curriculum directors across the state requesting material, curricular adaptations and training for integrating students with disabilities into existing art programs. Sometimes there are immediate, viable answers. Too often, time or funds limit our research and opportunity to collaborate for inventive solutions unique for each child or program. Agencies such as Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired, Jackson County Family Courts, Hope House, Kaw Valley Center, Boys and Girls Clubs, Johnson County Mental Health, Social Work p.r.n., Campfire, and the Kansas School for the Deaf have all requested training and information about adaptations in the arts.

As a response to the need for inventive solutions to adaptations in the arts, Accessible Arts is designing a center for art demonstration and training on the campus of the Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB). This Universally Designed Arts Center, a barrier-free and safe environment, will function as a collaborative arts laboratory and as a studio space where students experiment freely with appropriate equipment adaptations and professional artistic assistance. Students will be able to access their artistic gifts to improve the quality of their daily lives as they, and we, learn how to realize the rewards of creating and experiencing the arts.

The arts foster lifelong educational skills and help people with disabilities contribute to the social, cultural and economic life of their communities. This Arts Center will be a valuable resource for children with disabilities and their families. It will also be a place where students, professional artists, and educators can collaborate to create new curricula and accessible arts programming. KSSB will provide the permanent physical space (the historic carriage house). The Arts Center project will include the structural renovation of the carriage house and the purchase of adaptation equipment (computer stations w/assistive technology, wheelchair adaptations, adjustable tables, etc.), educational materials, and supplies.

Proposed Goals & Objectives

To provide Kansas and the Kansas City metropolitan area with a universally designed arts facility that is a model of physical accessibility and a laboratory where professionals can explore and create curricula in collaboration with students with disabilities.

To promote personal growth and educational opportunities through the arts that result in positive self-esteem for students with disabilities and those who serve them.

To provide training for educators, related services personnel and parents in arts methods for meeting the educational needs of students with disabilities.

To present positive role models to students with disabilities through direct arts services provided by artists/educators with disabilities.

To increase public awareness about the importance of arts experiences in the lives of students with disabilities through gallery shows, presentations and other public events.

And now...part of our dream has been realized.

On March 12, 2003, the Arts Studio open house was held in conjunction with the ceremony for 2002 Arts & Disability Awards. We are indebted to all those who helped bring this dream to reality--most especially:

H&R Block	Lockton Insurance
Bonner Springs Lions Club	Mid-America Foundation
Faultless Starch	Miller & Jeannette Nichols Foundation
Hallmark Corporate Foundation	Overland Park Host Lions Club
IFDA Educational Foundation	Overland Park Noon Lions Club
Muriel McBride Kauffman Foundation	The Sosland Foundation
Crosby/Enid Kemper Foundation	Utilicorp
Leawood Lions Club	Various Individual Funders
	Wyandotte Lions Club

Members of the original advisory committee were:

Martin English, AAI Executive Director
Rose Altena, AAI Program Director
Graham Lane, Johnson County Community College
Sally Firestone
Christine Tyler, Alphapointe Association for the Blind
KT Crosby, KT Studio
Kendall Kerr, Accessible Arts Artist
Bill Daughterty, Kansas State School for the Bline
David Immenschuh, BNIM Architects
Brian Rock, BNIM Architects
Tom Black, Kanas State School for the Blind Student
Latoya Griffin, KSSB Student
Wondrous Burns, Chair, Mayor's Advisory Committee for Disabled & Handicapped
Ann-Ellen Lesser A-EL Projects (Universal Design Consulting)

Photos of the newly renovated Arts Studio
(See, also, how we are using our wonderful studio for the Accessible Arts Club)


Front Entrance (Before/After)	East Wall (Before/After)

Floor (Before/After)	The Arts Studio is complete--and in use!

What does the future hold?
We still hope for a small gallery adjacent to our lovely studio.

Please call us if you would like to visit. (913/281-1133)
If you would like to help,