Breaking Barriers: Accessible Performing Arts for All

Hello and welcome to the very first post on the Actcessible news page!

We’re so glad you’re here. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, young person, artist, access champion, healthcare worker, theatre-lover or just someone who clicked a link and thought, “What’s this about?” you’ve landed in the right place.

Logo for Actcessible, an inclusive drama initiative, featuring a design with a person using a wheelchair on stage, emphasizing accessibility and participation for everyone.

Why does Actcessible exist?

Because theatre is powerful.

Because creativity is a right, not a luxury.

Because some people do not get to join in or have access to it.

Because access is not just about ramps or subtitles. It is about being thought about. It is about being invited in. It is about being seen.

Actcessible exists because of lived experience, frustration, and love. It is for every person who was told they could not be in the school play. It is for every child in a hospital bed who has not laughed in a while. It is for every autistic, disabled, deaf, or neurodivergent or elderly person who has been asked to settle for an experience that was not designed for them.

We are not here to tick boxes. We are here to reimagine what theatre can be and who it is for.

What do we actually do?

We bring theatre to people, rather than expecting people to come to us. That might mean a relaxed or sensory-friendly show in a classroom. It might mean a choose-your-own-adventure story on a screen in a hospital.It might mean professional actors creating a joyful moment in a care setting.It might mean interactive games and videos that can be enjoyed from home.

Every part of our work is built with accessibility and joy at the centre. That means working with teachers, families, and clinicians to get it right.It means listening. It means being flexible. It means making sure every child feels safe, involved, and important.

What is this page for?

This news page will be where we share stories and ideas. We will post about:

• Performances and projects we are working on

• Feedback and reflections from the people we work with

• New resources and tools we are developing

• What we are learning about access, creativity, and inclusion

• Updates about our team, our charity, and how you can get involved

  
  

We want this to be a place where you can see our work in action and understand the thinking behind it. We want to be transparent, thoughtful, and open.

Thank you for being here.

We are just getting started. There is so much to come.Performances, partnerships, digital tools, and creative adventures.We hope you will follow along, share what speaks to you, and maybe even work with us one day.

Together, we can build something honest, exciting, and truly inclusive.

With warmth and creativity,

The Actcessible Team