Diverse Abilities Dance

The following is a preliminary listing of barrier free venues and mixed abilities dance opportunities

Dance Ontario has recently conducted general accessibility updates on this website ensuring that it will function better for visitors with screen readers, alternate browsers, poor vision etc. Please advise us if you encounter issues so we can make adjustments to improve our services.

Barrier Free Venues (performances/workshops/classes)
Integrated and Disabled Dance Companies* & Performers (Ontario)

* Note: most listed companies are not led by Disabled Artists.

However to access Canada Council funding, it is a specific requirement.

Workshops/Classes/Consulting
  • Dancing with Parkinsons, Toronto   www.dancingwithparkinsons.com
  • Dancing with Parkinson’s at Quinte Ballet School of Canada, [email protected]
  • Miles Natal JCC/Jewish Community Centre, 750 Spadina Ave., Toronto www.mnjcc.org
  • EveryBody Dance! (workshop at JCC http://mnjcc.org)
  • Maxine Heppner classes at Intergalactic Arts Collective/Trinity St. Paul’s & Pia Bouman Studios  www.acrossoceans.org
  • The Dance Ability Movement  www.danceabilitymovement.com
    offering classes/workshops at the following studios:

    • Dance Elite Studio for the Arts – Milton
    • June Lawrence Sch. of Dance – Mississauga
    • The Dance Workshop – Alliston
    • Ballare Studio Dance – Hamilton/Ancaster
    • J’Danse Studio – Scarborough
    • Elite Dance Corps – Bradford
    • JCB Danceworks – Richmond Hill
  • The School of Toronto Dance Theatre  Creative Movement Made for Me with Michelle Silagy  www.schooloftdt.org
  • SICA Wheel Dance Hour long wheel dance latin class (see mnjcc,org) http://mnjcc.org
  • Dance Possibilities  [email protected]
  • Canada’s National Ballet School Adaptive Dance Program
  • A new DAEI  Dance Academy – FREE Adaptive Dance classes every Saturday www.anewdaei.com

Additional Information
Grants Available

The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has expanded the eligibility criteria for Deaf artists and artists with disabilities who require accessibility support to complete an OAC-funded project. These changes reflect OAC’s commitment to removing barriers to participating in and accessing the arts.

Individuals/groups already eligible

  • Individual applicants who identify as Deaf or as having a disability.
  • Ad hoc groups or collectives with one or more members who are Deaf or who have a disability.

Expanded eligibility criteria

  • Incorporated organizations that are Deaf or disability-led (e.g. board/staff who are Deaf or identify as having a disability) and have a mandate to serve and involve Deaf artists and artists with disabilities.
  • Eligible expenses can now include making a project accessible to audiences, participants or learners involved in the project.
  • Requests for these funds can now be made after the point of application by contacting program staff.

More about accessibility funds

  • Accessibility funds can be used to support activities that occur at any point in the project.
  • Applicants may request these funds in an application to any of OAC’s project programs.

Additional resources

Contacts

Janice Lambrakos, Information Services Coordinator
416-969-7429 | toll-free in Ontario 1-800-387-0058, ext. 7429
[email protected]

Angela Britto, Equity, Diversity and Accessibility Coordinator
416-961-1660 ext. 5171 | toll-free in Ontario 1-800-387-0058, ext. 5171
[email protected]

Positive Changes to Rules at ODSP & OW re Grants to Disabled Artists