The Access Playbook is a foundational, disability-led program for arts presenters and organizations who want to increase the representation of Deaf and Disabled artists on their stages.

This introductory cohort supports you to build stronger, more sustainable collaborations with Deaf and Disabled artists — so access is built into how work is programmed, supported, and presented.

Developed with support from the Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF), Government of Canada

The Access Playbook is intentionally designed as an introductory, foundational program.

This program is for:
People working in presenting or producing roles who help inform decisions about what work gets programmed or put on stage.
Organizations that are early in their access journey, rebuilding after change, or seeking a clearer starting point
Organizations that want to strengthen how they collaborate with Deaf and Disabled artists

This program is NOT for:
Artists, performers, creators looking for opportunities to present work. If you are an artist with tour-ready work, please reach out to Lindsay at lindsay@creativeconnector.art to be included in our Tour-Ready Catalogue.

What you need:
A willingness to reflect on how your organization works with artists
Openness to learning and adjusting practices over time
Some capacity to engage at cohort sessions

This program may not be the right fit if you’re looking for:
Advanced technical accessibility training
A checklist-style compliance based training course.
This is a learning space, not an audit or compliance process.

The program runs over 12 weeks (with three weeks of independent work) and blends short, self-paced learning with live, facilitated cohort sessions. You’ll connect with peers, reflect together, and apply what you’re learning to your own context.

Self-paced learning
You’ll move through a series of short online modules at your own pace. Each module includes short videos, plain-language tools, and experiments designed to help you apply learning directly to your work.

Live cohort sessions
You’ll join a small peer cohort for three live sessions focused on discussion, shared problem-solving, and learning from one another. These sessions are facilitated by disability-led practitioners and are designed to be supportive, and non-judgemental.

Optional partner work sessions
Throughout the program, we offer optional work sessions for anyone who wants dedicated time to work through materials, ask questions, or think things through with a partner.

Real-world application
Rather than assignments or assessments, the program centres on experimenting in real situations — trying things out, reflecting on what works, and adjusting as you go.

What you’ll learn
Over 12 weeks, the program is structured around six foundational modules
Start with Purpose– Connect disability arts history and culture to your organization’s mission
Diagnose Your Access – Identify what’s working — and where artists face barriers
Build Strong Working Relationships – Strengthen collaboration and trust with Deaf and Disabled artists
Design Accessible Outreach – Reach audiences without adding extra burden
Plan and Budget for Access – Make realistic choices within real constraints
Learn, Reflect and Adjust – Grow your approach through community feedback