As an instructor who deals with chronic pain, and is neurodivergent, I am committed to continuously learning more about how to make my classes more accessible. This page will be modified and reviewed consistently as I continue to learn more about accessibility.
Here are the ways I am committed to creating a space that is more accessible to everyone:
Last minute/Same day registrations for students with chronic pain/Illness
I understand that if you deal with a chronic illness or chronic pain, this makes it especially difficult to plan for things like registering for a dance class in advance. Especially because there’s no way to know how you’re going to feel that day. I will always have registration spots set aside for people in this situation who need to wait until the day of class to determine if they are feeling well enough to attend. These spots will be released at midnight on the day of class, so you never have to worry about missing out if you realize you feel well enough on the day of my classes.
Sensory-Friendly Lighting - I avoid using fluorescent lighting wherever possible in my classes. The lighting I currently use is outdoor LED lighting and the colours can be modified from my phone. Additionally, I am also able to modify the brightness from my phone. All lighting is set up on the floor and angled so that it does not shine directly into people’s eyes to make the space more accessible to autistic folks and/or people who deal with migraines.
Music Volume - As much as possible, I always attempt to keep my music volume at a sensory-friendly level.
(I personally deal with my own sensory issues around excessive noise)
Dance Studio Accessibility (Studio photos to come soon)
The dance studio I currently rent is located at Dance Victoria. It is the Milne studio located on the ground floor. The studio is close to Quadra Village and accessible on multiple bus routes. There are 2 entrances, of which both have double doors. There is one entrance at the Dance Victoria building, and one entrance under the Coast Capital sign in the parking lot. The entrance under the Coast Capital sign has an automatic door opener. The entrance to the Dance Victoria building does not. I have written to Dance Victoria to request this as a consideration in the next year to increase accessibility to the studio, and have been informed that this will be a priority in the coming year.
There is ample parking space, much of which is available on Sundays when I teach classes. There are also multiple wheelchair accessible parking spots.
There is a wheelchair-accessible bathroom on the ground floor of the studio. There are also washrooms on the second floor of the studio as well, and there is an elevator available to get to the second floor. The doorway to get into the wheelchare accessible bathroom is 34 inches wide (or 86.36 centimetres wide).
The doorway to get into the dance studio is also 34 inches wide (or 86.36 centimetres wide).
Service Animals
As per provincial and federal law, certified service animals are allowed in class. There is ample green space just outside of the dance studio as well if you need to take your animal out for a walk or to go to the washroom.
For folks who struggle with social anxiety
For folks who struggle with social anxiety or are nervous about coming to class for the first time, I always have 15 minutes of studio time booked before the beginning of class. I invite you to email me ahead of time if you’d like to come in before class starts to get oriented with the space and to meet me before other students start arriving.
Scents
For every class, I do request that my students remain as scent-free as possible. However, I unfortunately cannot guarantee a scent-free environment as there are numerous other instructors at the studio who also rent the space from me.
For folks who need to take breaks
I understand that some folks have chronic conditions that require them to be able to take breaks throughout class, and that people are at different fitness levels. There will always be additional chairs at each side of the studio in case you need to take a seat partway through to catch your breath or get grounded.
Separate Lobby Areas
There is a separate lobby area in the Dance Victoria building that folks are welcome to use if they need to leave the dance studio space for any reason. As long as there are no other classes happening at the same time, I always try to ensure that the lights in the lobby area are low or turned off if you need to step out for a sensory break.
Open Level Choreography
All of my choreography is designed to be catered to all levels of dance experience. I work to create choreography in class that is challenging, fun, yet not discouraging. I welcome students of all experience levels in my class.
Modified Movements
I understand that every single person’s body moves differently. What may work for one person will not work for all bodies. I am always happy to provide modifications to movements to make them more accessible for you, and warmly invite folks to let me know if they would like a different option for a particular move.
Seated Option Choreography
When you register for my class, there is now an option in my order form for you to indicate if you would like a seated version of my choreography. I offer this for folks who may be recovering from injuries, may use wheelchairs or other mobility aids, or may have another condition that requires a seated option.
Sliding Scale Pricing
I have recently made all of my registrations sliding scale pricing. I offer a suggested registration fee of $30 per class. For folks who are able to pay above my registration fee, this goes to help subsidize students who are not able to afford the full amount. I have now created all of my classes under this model, so students do not feel singled out for not being able to afford the full class fee. I trust my students to be honest about what they can afford.
Informing me of injuries
When you register for my classes, you will be given the option to let me know if you have any injuries you’d like me to be aware of. Prior to class, I always review answers to these questions and create my choreography with people’s injuries/disabilities in mind so they don’t need to share this information in class in front of others if they don’t want to.
Gender Diverse Folks
I am a non-binary dance instructor. At the beginning of class, I always gather all of my students in a circle and we share each other’s names and pronouns. I welcome folks of all different gender identities into my class. Occasionally, I will create a class that is catered to those whose gender identities mean that they are more marginalized in society (women, trans, and non-binary folks). I will always announce in the title of my classes when those are happening.
2SLGBTQIA+ Folks
As a queer instructor, I always want to ensure people know that all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome in my classes. I have a zero-tolerance policy for homophobia, transphobia etc.
Other Accessibility Notes:
I have been in touch with Dance Victoria about installing automatic door openers for the main entrance to the building and for the wheelchair-accessible washroom. The studio has let me know that they have added this as an agenda item at their most recent meeting and are looking into funding options to address this accessibility concern. As they are a non-profit organization, funding the installation of the door opener is the primary challenge but they have informed me that it is something they are going to look at making a priority. I will be following up with them throughout the year to find out any updates on when this will happen.
Accessibility is an ongoing learning process. I am personally always making changes where possible to make my classes safe and enjoyable for folks from all different walks of life.
Here are some accessibility items I am still learning about and working to figure out how to fund:
Providing stim toys for autistic/adhd students - I want to create an environment where stimming in my classes in normalized
FL41 glasses for migraine sufferers - I am looking at a way to provide glasses with FL41 lenses that can be borrowed by students who suffer from migraines and sanitized at the end of each class. However, I still need to learn if this is possible and meets health standards
Providing earplugs - I am learning about whether this will be helpful for folks with sensory issues or if this will impede student’s capacity to hear choreography instructions
As always, I invite any feedback about how I might make classes more accessible to all students. If you would like to get in touch with me about accessibility, please feel free to email me at delilah.dlish@gmail.com