The Seattle Cultural Accessibility Consortium connects arts and cultural organizations with the information and resources to improve accessibility for people of all abilities. We believe that all people should be able to enjoy Seattle’s vibrant arts and culture sector. SCAC offers professional development and workshop training and a podcast; hosts a website with accessibility resources, provides technical assistance to organizations, and facilitates an equipment loan program [on hold]. There has not been a sustained, focused, coordinated effort in Seattle to ensure accessibility in the arts for those with disabilities. SCAC serves as a centralized resource to help guide arts and culture administrators in their journey to integrate accessibility into the structure of their organizations. There are a number of institutions with small budgets that could benefit from pooling resources and local organizations need valuable resources and support. Considering that one in five Americans currently has a disability and the likelihood of that number increasing as the population ages, accessibility is becoming more necessary everyday. Access to art is a vital part of the human experience, has positive public health implications and also addresses many issues of equity and inclusion.
