Today we’d like to introduce you to Cara Jean Hall.
Hi Cara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Art Access is the leader for accessibility and equity in the arts in Salt Lake City. For 36 years, Art Access has helped build a diverse and inclusive arts community by providing creative opportunities for people with disabilities and other marginalized communities through education and advocacy.
We provide high-quality arts education for adults with disabilities through our Partners Professional Artist Mentorship program and working artists program. We also host a workshop series in partnership with the Utah Department of Arts and Museums, called Breaking Barriers, that educates professionals and cultural institutions on how to make their programs and physical spaces more accessible to artists and patrons with disabilities.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Disability Law and public priority for Disability Justice, Accessibility, and Inclusivity have been a struggle for decades. Persons with disability have experienced discrimination and setbacks like many minority groups, particularly in the areas of healthcare, employment, recreation, and housing.
However, as businesses and organizations are now shifting their focus toward diversity, equity, and inclusivity, we are particularly equipped to offer resources for disabled artists and education for organizations that would like to improve accessibility within their sector.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
We are excited and heartened to see businesses and organizations shift their focus toward diversity, equity, and inclusivity.
As the workforce, in general, has begun to work from home and the internet net has improved communications across language and cultural barriers we’ve seen increased usage from all people with tools that have historically been used among the visual and hearing impaired. Like text-to-speech, closed captioning, and language translation software. These resources are now being used in most households which are making them more readily accessible to persons with disabilities, and widely accepted.
We hope in the next few years that all organizations and businesses will prioritize accessibility and product makers will adopt a universal design approach in industry and economy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artaccessutah.org
- Instagram: @artaccessutah
- Facebook: @artaccessutah
