Space:

• Wheelchair friendly floors in all 3 studios – load bearing sufficient and sprung.
• Disabled toilet
• Gender neutral changing space.
• Wheelchair accessible doorways

Workforce:

• Welcoming and Friendly staff
• Staff members representative of diverse demographics (nuerodiverse, LGBTQ+ and global majority)
• All staff trained to integrate current members with additional needs into all classes (we plan on enhancing this).
• Staff are available and ready to provide emotional and verbal support where needed.
• Staff dedicate extra time to those with additional needs where needed.
• Staff are open to listening to feedback from those who have lived experience.

Studio Classes:

• Classes to suit all abilities – diverse range of adult classes accessible to all levels and demographics.
• Diverse range of styles to welcome all abilities.

We are working closely with Stopgap Dance Company and have established a clear timeline which we aim to complete in phases.

Space:

• Creating an adult changing space which can be accessed and used by all.
• Re-designed and re building our disabled toilet and adult change space facilities.
• Creating gender neutral cubicles to be used as a change space and toilet facility.
• Creating an artist/student breakout/sensory room for those who may need this.
• Creating clear movement channels around the building for wheelchair users – Phase 1.
• Highlighting these pathways with easy to follow floor designs (floor sinage). – Phase 1
• Offering multiple seating and table options with different heights, raised arms and bench seating – phase 1/2
• Adapting the staff/reception area; lower desk, no imposing structures. – phase 1
• Adapting sign in process: lower height tablets, accessible fonts and colours – Phase 1/2
• Installing Hearing Loops – Phase 1.
• Studio Flooring: policy updates; all wheels to be checked before entering studios – Phase 1.
• Clocks: digital clocks to be added for easy reading – Phase 1.

Workforce Development:

We intend to give advanced training in the following categories to all relevant staff:

• Adapting and delivering dance to different abilities and ages.
• Inclusivity training focusing on language with LGBTQ+ members
• Change momentum pedagogical training
• Enhanced safeguarding
• Enhanced First Aid
• Fire training

To ensure this is properly executed we plan on creating a Training pack outlining requirements and courses for teachers and staff.

Space:

• Changing sinage to include bright colours, simple wording, braile and ensuring this is placed at a suitable height for all users.
• Re-designing logo and sinage to include lowercase lettering and easy to read fonts.
• Improving the images used to advertise the studios, making sure they fully represent the diverse community that is welcomed.
• Lighting in the studios: low level lighting, moving dimmers/light switches lower, lighting to indicate end of dance space – Phase 2
• Changing fans into air con – Phase 2
• Studios Sounds: adjusting speaker height and low level bass -Phase 2 (further consultation required)

Studios Class Scheduling:

• Reaching out to different groups and inviting them to the space etc
• Setting up wheelchair/additional needs introductory sessions to learn basics of following dance instruction and build confidence to enter the mainstream studio classes.
• Using this same concept to engage and welcome older participants into the studios.

Space:

• Automatic doors (entrance, toilets)
• Review fire evacuation policies and exits: doors that can be opened independently, clear identification of fire escape root – Phase 3.