Improving Inclusivity and Accessibility in the Performing Arts

Abstract

This Open Educational Resource (OER), Adaptive Performance Resources, Practices, and Learning Materials, provides a comprehensive and practical toolkit to support inclusivity and accessibility in the performing arts, with a particular focus on music. Designed for undergraduate students, instructors, and independent learners, the resource addresses a significant gap in free, adaptable educational content that supports inclusive artistic practices for disability and neurodiverse communities.

Structured as four modules—including an introductory pre-module—this OER covers foundational knowledge of disability and neurodiversity, broad inclusive and accessible practices, and in-depth approaches to adaptive performances in contexts such as dementia and palliative care. It incorporates diverse formats such as PowerPoint presentations, learning activities, quizzes, readings, videos, and case studies, enabling flexible use across disciplines and institutions.

By offering tools that support the creation and delivery of inclusive performances, this OER empowers future artists, educators, and arts leaders to foster equitable cultural participation. It advances students' understanding of emerging inclusive practices while contributing to their employability, creativity, and critical engagement with the arts in a changing society.