Inspired by a friend and her child and also a show on HBO - Autism The Musical, I've been working on putting together references for children/teens and all actors with special needs who love the performing arts...both as participants and also who enjoy theater performances (I've found theaters for the hearing impaired, with signing)! Sounds like a nice career, as well, for anyone who can sign.

Signing in Broadway Theaters.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/st...ews/local&id=6001256

Hands On - Interpreted Performances, New York

http://handson.org/frames_index.html


I'm real far behind in a lot of things right now, trying to catch up, but I will try and add to this a little at a time and more than welcome those who can add to this list...articles, resources, etc. Coaches, as well, who can work with those with dyslexia in learning their material for a performance/audition.


http://www.dyslexia.com/qafame.htm

I'd love to find some workshops, classes for children with autism, especially, as the performing arts seem to really touch these children in a special way. If anyone does know of any, please let me know. It's a pet project I would love to dive into more down the road just haven't had the time to commit to this right now.

If anyone hasn't seen Autism, the Musical, it was so inspiring..HBO on demand may still have this, if you have the cable service with HBO on demand.

http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/autism/index.html


Just to start off...SAG/AFTRA and Equity do have an ongoing new project.

I AM PWD - Inclusion in the Arts & Media of People with Disabilities.

It's a tri-union effort, so if your child is a member of any of the three theatrical unions, you might be interested in keeping up with the developments.

http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/autism/index.html

MISSION STATEMENT FOR PERFORMERS WITH DISABILITIES

"The mission of the Tri-Union Performers with Disabilities Committee shall be to serve as the means to enhance the status and promote the advancement of performers with disabilities; nurture members knowledge and skills; improve members professional careers through the sharing and dispersing of information; promote the profession as a whole; further the understanding of the profession and foster understanding and respect for the disabled performers within; develop and improve working standards and assist in the continuing development of ethical standards for practitioners in the industry."

Some of my favorite articles:

Special Needs Inclusion Extends to Hollywood.

http://www.eduguide.org/Parent...h-for-the-Stars.aspx

Gail Williamson is a wonderful mom and advocate if you can find other articles written by her or about her. She is the Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/48379

Down Syndrome and the Acting Gene (also some resources at the end of the article

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art34198.asp

Organizations that Assist Artists with Disabilities.

http://www.nea.gov/resources/A...ArtistsResource.html

I will add on - just wanted to get this out there now, something I've promised parents for some time now and just haven't had the time to put it all together.

Most links include all actors, young and adults!

Alliance for Inclusion In the Arts - Good resource!

http://www.inclusioninthearts.org/

i don't really have anything to add, but i just wanna say how great i think this is!

quote:

Originally posted by aquajules:
i don't really have anything to add, but i just wanna say how great i think this is!

Thank you!

There is one family who I will never forget who contacted me. They had a young boy with Down Syndrome, replied to an open call for a Indie movie, never did anything before in his life, nor did his parents know anything about the biz world and what to expect. They had to hop on a plane and landed in NY, no agent, totally green!However, his love for what he was doing overshadowed everything that was thrown their way. Mom and Dad may have been overwhelmed trying to take in everything they could and learn from scratch the biz but their son couldn't wait to wake up and start shooting again and was even up for an award for the movie! That's what it's all about - letting the kids have fun and finding the resources to allow them to do so.

I think this biz has been overshadowed by those trying to find quick fame and with reality TV and we have to find our way back to the real art of acting and find a way for everyone who has their heart in this to partipate.

Visually impaired performers.

http://www.tbtb.org/

THEATER BREAKING THROUGH BARRIERS - Formally, Theater By The Blind

"Theater Breaking Through Barriers, formerly Theater By The Blind, has been working for 29 years to develop blind and low vision talent for the theater, television and film. With great pride, the company has just changed its name to reflect its commitment to include all artists with disabilities in its work, onstage, backstage, in the office and in the audience"


http://www.backstage.com/bso/n...ontent_id=1003711445

Theater Breaks Barriers for Disabled Actors

http://www.padnfb.org/

NFB - National Federation of the Blind- Performing Arts Division

There is a National Convention this Summer in July!

Just an aside.. there are also rewarding careers behind the scenes working in the performing arts as you search through these resources.

Hopefully we can find some resources for scholarships as well.

Here's a theatre/performing arts group for developmentally disabled performers:

http://www.dreamstreetinc.org/

I was so excited to see this thread! Here are a few resources I have (they are mainly geared towards those with Autism)

1. Sense Theatre
A new program in Davis, CA, this theatrical program is for both children on the Autism spectrum & neurotypical performers. The program was created by a Doctor at the M.I.N.D center and there are therapists, counselors, etc with theater degrees on staff. They stage full productions with another local theatre company.

2. Actors for Autism
(from their site) Actors for Autism is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2004. We are dedicated to the advancement, education and training of people on the autistic spectrum. We fulfill this mission by developing and implementing new and innovative programs to fill a void in the services offered to individuals with autism. These programs include acting classes, animation, claymation, film making, social skills, support groups, and social activities. Programs are vendored as Social Skills and/or Creative Arts by the California Regional Centers.
- on a personal note, this program has some great classes aviable for all ages and they are vendorized by the Regional center!

3. The Miracle Project
(from their site) The Miracle Project™ is a theatre and film arts program for children with special needs and their typically developing siblings and peers. Our mission is to provide a loving, accepting nurturing environment which celebrates and honors the unique and often unrecognized talents of these young people by guiding them through creative workshops and artistic program

4. Joey Travolta's Film Inclusion Camp
Joey Travolta started Actors for Autism and then branched out into film making workshops, which he now offers all around the US. My son attended his film workshop last year and had a great time! It was a safe environment where they improvised, developed a script and filmed and edited their own movie. The best part was the red carpet film screening a few months after the camp ended, all the camp participants walked away with an award. I know my son learned a lot about the business in this camp.. it is a really great program and Joey Travolta and his staff are amazing!

I know there are a lot of other programs out there, but these are the ones I am more familiar with. Thank you for starting this thread!

Oh, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I'm so excited too! These are wonderful resources and I'm so happy that you shared them with us!

interesting thread. I don't have much to add, but did want to say that the group my daughter performs with (www.redmountaintheatre.org) includes a boy who's in a wheel chair. I believe he has muscular dystrophy. The director and choreographer have done an incredibly creative job working him into the dance routines. It's been an inspiration to all the kids in the group.

don't know if it's helpful, but i thought of one thing... the Montana Rep does some touring shows with signers onstage that share roles with the actors. really interesting shows. or at least they used to- don't know if they still do it. prolly worth looking into though!

Thank you all for contributing! Love to hear personal experiences, that's the best resources to share.

Some great info here! Links to Articles and many different resources both for performing and audience participation in the arts. Some of these sites use the word "disability" which I prefer to use the word "special needs" as I believe everyone has the ability to perform, given the proper resources to do so!

http://www.culturedisabilityta....html#representation

"ABOUT PEP

Mission

"The mission of PEP is to increase the participation and professional development of performance artists and theatre workers from under-represented groups, especially those with disabilities. PEP promotes integrated, accessible, and affordable classes, programs, training materials and other opportunities to improve the skill level of participants and to facilitate productive, collaborative working relationships with theatre workers from all experience levels, both disabled and non-disabled. PEP strongly emphasizes the need to promote accessibility for both artists and audience members."

Adding on...


IMPORTANT RESOURCE!

Friends of Californians with Disabilities

Media Access Office

http://www.disabilityemployment.org/med_acc.htm

"Disability Resource to the Entertainment Industry

The purpose of the Media Access Office is to actively promote the employment and accurate portrayal of persons with disabilities in all areas of the media and entertainment industry, ensuring that the industry recognizes people with disabilities as part of cultural diversity.

BACKGROUND

The Media Access Office was established in 1980 by the California Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and entertainment and media industry professionals. They recognized the need to provide a liaison between performers with disabilities and the media and entertainment industry. The Media Access Office is currently administered with assistance from the State Employment Development Department and is guided by a Subcommittee comprised of professionals representing all facets of the entertainment and media industry. The office is also supported in part by the Friends of the California Governor's Committee on Employment of People With Disabilities, Inc., a private, non-profit (501) c(3) organization."

Media Access Office
Gloria M. Castañeda

Ms. Gloria Castaneda I know does wonderful work with this program.

You have a very nice team of support in California between Gail Williamson, Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles, who I've meantioned above and this program as well.

Please search around for articles which I know both have written. As I find them I will post them here too, VERY inspirational!


OOPS - DEFINITELY WANT TO ADD THIS TOO!

A VERY IMPORTANT ADVOCATE FOR ACTORS WITH DISABILITIES - Mr. Robert David Hall.

Actor and advocate who is working very closely with the tri-union effort for the inclusion of performers with special needs!

http://www.disabilityrightsca....Times-2008-10-07.htm


http://www.cbs.com/primetime/c...t_david_hall/bio.php

Again, if you search around I'm sure you'll find many inspiration essays, info from Mr. Robert David Hall as well.

Please check out this program:

www.toemusical.org

My teen has learned so much from working with this special group of people. For anyone who doubts that anyone with special needs can't act or dance or sing, well...you couldn't be more wrong.

Through Our Eyes debuted in 2006 as a musical theater production about how life is seen through the eyes of special needs individuals. Their stories, told in a series of vignettes and original songs, are at times poignant, humorous, and moving. The cast of 70 is split evenly between those with disabilities and healthy teens and adults who cared to share the stage and help tell their stories.

Yeah! Keep it going!!

Thank you!

A parent sent this to me to share.

http://www.disabilitynewsradio.com/about_us.html

Disability News Radio

There are some interesting podcasts to listen to from previous shows.

I've found so many of these resources inspiring.

IF THERE IS ANYONE who does hold workshops for children with special needs and the arts..any type, dance, theater...I'd love to know of any and/or summer camps as well that are reputable and people have had very good experiences with.

Enjoy!

Bumping this up...got distracted for awhile but hope to add some more resources and also try and find some coaches who may offer classes or if anyone knows of any workshops for dance, singing, movement, improv, theater groups, please contribute to this thread.

LOVED this!

This is so inspirational and proof of why we should all support the performing arts and the kids!

Click here: 'Silent Gina' Wows Crowds with Song - CBS Evening News - CBS News



http://www.cbsnews.com/stories...ws/main5301616.shtml



"CBS) It's only a few steps to center court at the U.S. Open. But getting here has been a long, incredible journey for 7-year-old Gina Incandela, as CBS News Correspondent Michelle Miller reports.

Gina's trials began at age 2, when she still wasn't talking. Her parents got a disturbing prognosis. The doctor told Gina's mom, Michelle, "I don't know if she is ever going to speak."

Diagnosed with a form of autism, Gina began intensive speech therapy. Progress was slow, until music unlocked the development door.

Gina's schoolwork and social skills improved. It turns out, this challenged child has a remarkable gift."

Use link above for full article.