Introducing the Creative Access Project (CAP)
The Creative Access Project (CAP) is a new national initiative dedicated to advancing accessibility across the arts and culture sector and supporting disabled artists nationwide.
CAP aims to increase participation, representation, and employment opportunities for disability communities in the arts while fostering collaboration and shared learning across the field. We do this through technical assistance, training, and practical resources to help arts and cultural organizations strengthen accessibility efforts across programs, operations, digital platforms, and community engagement.
Led by Beth Bienvenu and Katharine Hayward, former leaders of the National Endowment for the Arts Office of Accessibility, CAP builds on decades of national work translating accessibility policy into actionable practices for arts organizations.
What We Do
CAP is involved in multiple activities designed to expand knowledge about accessibility efforts and provide opportunities for interactive, peer-supported learning. Activities this year will include:
- A national arts and accessibility field scan to provide a snapshot of accessibility efforts in arts programs across local, state, and regional levels.
- In-depth accessibility training for organizations across the arts sector, from high-level overviews of legal requirements to more in-depth trainings on access features and practical tips for implementation of accessibility principles.
- Technical assistance and resources for implementing accessible arts programming and increasing community engagement.
- Virtual office hours covering specific topics with a shared knowledge model.
CAP aims to make its services free and open to the public, but some services, including longer-term accessibility consultation, customized accessibility planning, or tailored staff training, may be offered on a fee-for-service basis.
Announcements of Upcoming Events
Join us on July 27th to learn about the Creative Access Project, its work, and a brief history of the legislation ensuring accessibility in the arts.
Registration information coming soon.
Who We Are
Drs. Beth Bienvenu and Katharine Hayward are the Co-Directors of the Creative Access Project (CAP), expanding on their 45+ years experience in national accessibility and disability employment initiatives.
Dr. Beth Bienvenu
She/Her
Dr. Beth Bienvenu served as the Accessibility Director at the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) Office of Accessibility for 14 years. Prior to the NEA, Beth served as a Policy Advisor for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and as an adjunct professor for George Mason University’s Master of Arts in Arts Management program, where she taught courses in arts policy.
Dr. Bienvenu has master's degrees in sociology and arts administration from Indiana University and a doctorate in organizational leadership from The University of Oklahoma.
Dr. Katharine Hayward
She/Her
Dr. Hayward worked alongside Dr. Bienvenu at the Office of Accessibility at the NEA as its Accessibility Specialist for 3 ½ years. Prior to that Katharine worked at the National Arts and Disability Center at UCLA for 20+ years where she administered an arts and accessibility grants program, conducted research on the employment of performers with disabilities, and coordinated a decade-long national initiative to advance the careers of artists with disabilities.
She holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Community Health Sciences from UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health and undergraduate degrees from UC Davis.
Resources
General Accessibility Resources and Self-Assessment Tools
These resources provide guidance for questions about the ADA, accessibility requirements, and self-assessment tools.
- ADA National Network
- Role of an ADA Coordinator | ADA National Network
- U.S. Access Board
- ADA 2010 Design Standards
- Making In-Person/Virtual Events Accessible | WAI | W3C
- A Planning Guide for Making Temporary Events Accessible
- NEA Section 504 Self-Evaluation Workbook
- Open Door Arts Accessibility Self-Assessment
- NEA Brief Accessibility Checklist
Arts Accessibility Resources
These resources provide examples on how to integrate accessibility into arts programming, from developing an accessibility statement to ways educators, employers, and grantmakers can support disabled artists and communities.
Electronic Accessibility
As we share more and more information and programming online, it is important to make accessible digital content. The following resources provide guidance and tools on how to create accessible websites and social media posts.
Tips for Integrating Access Features
There are several ways to increase accessibility of visual and audio content for those with vision and hearing disabilities, whether presented online or in-person. The resources below provide guidance on including alternative text, audio description, sign language interpreters, and captioning.
- Authoring Meaningful Alternative Text | Section508.gov
- How to Write Alt Text
- An Alt Decision Tree | WAI | W3C
- The Audio Description Project | American Council of the Blind
- Description of Visual Information | WAI
- The Ultimate Guide to Audio Description - 3Play Media
- Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.
- Captioning - Hearing Loss Association of America
Document Accessibility
Documents and promotional materials should be written in an easily understandable way and discuss disability only as relevant and in a respectful way. The following resources provide guidance on using plain language and ways to talk about disability.
- Create Accessible Digital Products | Section508.gov
- WebAIM: Word and PowerPoint Accessibility Evaluation Guide
- Plain Language Guide Series | Digital.gov
- Self Advocate's Guide to the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Downloadable Disability Access Symbols - Graphic Artists Guild
- How to Talk About Disability – GBH
- Disability Language Style Guide
- Identity-First Language - Autistic Self Advocacy Network