Accessibility Practices in Community Orchestra Settings

Abstract

Many arts organizations are taking the lead in placing accessibility and inclusion at the forefront of their practices, making meaningful efforts to contribute to a more welcoming and aware society. Community orchestras, as invaluable as they are to society as a whole, remain under researched in terms of inclusive and accessible practices, particularly through a disability lens. As such, through a survey research study conducted with multiple community orchestras in the state of Washington, this study seeks to answer four primary questions: the impact of the presence or absence of accessibility practices; musicians’ safety and comfort in expressing their needs; musicians’ desire for leadership to engage more proactively in accessible practices; and the identification of tangible actions that could support the creation of more accessible spaces.This study aims to offer insight into community orchestra musicians’ lived experiences and, through their perspectives, inform readers and inspire future research on how to make these spaces more inclusive and accessible for all.