Resources

This guide is a brief introduction to how to utilize alternative text online, in emails, and in social media, to ensure that your media is accessible for visually impaired users.

• GUIDE TO ALT TEXT

• Accessibility Handbook: Design for Accessibility: A Cultural Administrator’s Handbook

Arts Boston has a calendar of upcoming accessible performances.

• Arts Boston Calendar

Details on the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s initiatives and resources.

• Access Policy Guide: A comprehensive guide to available Arts Access Services, Definitions and Resources
• Universal Participation Initiative: The MCC’s UP Inclusive Design Initiative seeks to inspire organizations to use design to anticipate and accommodate the full spectrum of human ability.

Information and resources about American Sign Language (ASL) in the arts.

• Guide for ASL Interpreted Performances at Boston University’s School of Theatre (PDF Guide)
  
• Rates for Interpreter Services
• Facebook Group for the ASL Performing Arts Community – Boston
• ASL Class Suggestions
  • DEAF, Inc.
  • Open Door Theater

Explore resources and services for open captioning in various settings.

• Access Tech Accessibility Technologies: Affordable and nimble Captioning for live theater
• Live Theatrical Captioning Services by C2 (Caption Coalition), inc.
• WGBH Access Services
• Captioning for Youtube/Google
• AI Captioning Services from 3Play Media Online

Comprehensive resources for audio description in media and live performances.

• Upcoming Audio Described Performances in Massachusetts
• Reid My Mind Radio Blog: A blog & podcast from a Black man adjusting to being blind, featuring interviews & stories examining social implications of disability and life and Blind Centered AD
• WGBH Audio Description Services
• American Council of the Blind (ACB) Audio Description Project: A comprehensive list of all films and broadcast shows that have audio descriptions
• Theater with Audio Description Facebook Group: A group where posts are shared about job opportunities and upcoming shows in audio description

Additional resources and initiatives for accessibility in the arts.

• Open Door Arts:  The “Towards a Culture of Access” Report, with findings from the Massachusetts Arts & Culture Access Survey conducted by Open Door Arts in 2021-2022 is now available! The report reveals valuable information to better understand where the arts & culture sector in Massachusetts is regarding access work, and shares information about what’s getting in the way, and what may help it move forward.
• VSA Minnesota:  Practical information for administrators, artists including those with disabilities, and audiences who have questions about creating and/or attending the arts.
• Cultural Access New England (CANE): CANE was founded to advance access to cultural facilities in New England for people with disabilities of all types. CANE defines accessibility broadly, to include programmatic, architectural, physical, communication, attitudinal and other forms of access. CANE takes as a basic tenet that increasing accessibility for people with disabilities increases accessibility for everyone.
• Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Theater Community Benevolent Fund Website: Provides financial relief and assistance to individual theater practitioners in MA with dignity discretion and compassion.