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Accessibility Matters

Making the arts accessible to Nevadans of all cultures and abilities, without prejudice to geographic or economic status, is a priority for the Nevada Arts Council (NAC). Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act states, in part, that “no otherwise qualified person with a disability… shall solely by reason of their disability be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” The NAC encourages its grantees and partners to view accessibility as both a philosophic commitment and a business practice. Methods to address diversity in your community include involving individuals from diverse populations and/or organizations in the planning, implementation, evaluation and follow-up of a program. By making Nevada’s arts and cultural programs, activities, information, and facilities accessible and usable to all people, with and without disabilities, we open the door to a new and expanded audience of participants, patrons and advocates.

For information on requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or how to make your programs and facilities more accessible, download the Design for Accessibility Handbook along with an Arts Accessibility Checklist on the National Endowment for the Arts’ Accessibility homepage. This website provides information and links to Leadership Initiatives in Arts and Aging, Arts in Healthcare, Arts in Corrections, Universal Design and Careers in the Arts. It also features award-winning accessibility programs implemented across the nation.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION FOR NAC GRANTEES

Grant recipients must comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

  • The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 mandates that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Per NEA regulations, grantees shall administer programs and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified persons with a disability. Additionally, grantees shall operate each program or activity so that the program or activity, when viewed in its entirety, is readily accessible to and usable by persons with a disability.
  • The ADA requires that all arts organizations make their programs, services and activities, including employment, accessible to qualified persons with disabilities. The ADA applies whether or not an arts organization receives federal funds.
  • Organizations and public institutions that receive NAC grant funds must have a current Organization Accessibility Checklist, Self-Evaluation, or Plan on file during the grant period. The organization must review and update this document every three years to be current. For information on requirements of the ADA or how to make your programs and facilities more accessible, download the Design for Accessibility Handbook along with an Arts Accessibility Checklist on the National Endowment for the Arts’ Accessibility Resources homepage at: https://www.arts.gov/accessibility/accessibility-resources
  • FY23 grant applications for organizations and public institutions require a Plan for Accessibility. Accessibility programming accommodations may include ASL interpretation, Audio Description services, Assisted Listening Devices, Sound Amplification Equipment, CART or open captioning services, Large Print Materials, Braille Materials, Service Animal Policy and Practices, Sensory Friendly Programming, Quiet Places/Fidgets, Social Story materials (i.e. “Your Trip to the Museum” video), Digital/web materials that are screen reader compliant, Programming that actively includes/engages those with physical and/or developmental disabilities, Military Programming (Active Duty/Veteran/Families), Creative Aging Programs, Special Arts Education Programs, Pay-what-you-can or free admission programs/mechanisms, Incarcerated Populations Programming, ESL Programming and/or materials, Employ artists or staff with disabilities, Engage Board members with disabilities, and Arts Therapy Programming.

ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES

For more information contact the Nevada Arts Council