Government site with resources for opening your own business:
http://www.business.gov/start/disabled-people/
Edmonds Community College, located in Lynnwood, WA, offers on-campus and online learning opportunities in many areas, including the arts. For more information on their ArtsNow program, a noncredit program for individuals seeking diverse, lifelong learning opportunities, see: http://www.edcc.edu/artsnow/
For the Fall Schedule of ArtsNow classes see:
http://www.edcc.edu/artsnow/search.php?quarter=fall09
Write for the Teaching Artist Journal
Deadline: Rolling
The Teaching Artist Journal is a print and online quarterly that serves as a voice, forum and resource for Teaching Artists.
http://tajournal.com/taj-submissions/
New gallery space for artists and events available for rent at the Historic Bayview Cash Store
Contact: Sandra Whiting 360-321-3020 opendoorwhidbey@gmail.com
New gallery space for artists and events available for rent at Historic Bayview Cash Store
Langley, Whidbey Island, WA (March 17, 2009): Open Door Gallery + Coffee is pleased to announce that the retail space formerly occupied by the Fishmonger is now an open community gallery and event space. Artists can rent this space to install their own exhibitions and may show their work over a weekend or for up to one month. All proceeds from sales will go to the artist.
The space is also available to rent for lectures, classes, films and special events. “Whidbey artists and others lost an important exhibition and event venue when the Front Room space on the second floor of the Cash Store closed,” says Louise Long, Open Door owner.
Those interested in renting the gallery space should contact Sandra Whiting at opendoorwhidbey@gmail.com or 360-321-3020.
ART SUPPLIES & ADAPTIVE TOOLS
While some artist organizations are a resource for networks and information, these Web sites are places to get adaptive supplies. Please note that many of the vendors carry the same type of product at a different price, so it pays to shop around. Also, this is just the tip of the iceberg; many more art supply and adaptive tools resources exist on the Web, so when in doubt, Google! [NOTE: We have included resources of which we are aware, but we DO NOT endorse any specific product or company listed here! Clicking the links provided will take you away from our Site.]
Ability Hub www.abilityhub.com
Assistive Technology (AT) simplifies the lives of artists with disabilities, but AT is not necessarily simple. This Web site offers an easy and organized way to find adaptive equipment, answers to questions about AT you might already have, and features a host of resources for alternative solutions to using computers.
AbleNet, Inc. www.ablenetinc.com 800-322-0956
AbleNet worked in preschools and classrooms in Minnesota for many years. As teachers, they wanted products that were simple-to-use, colorful, reasonable prices, and reliable. They designed products that were specifically designed for people with the most severe disabilities, not only provide learning experiences at school, but could also help parents have fun with their children at home. Includes Art for Me, Too!, a book to include the use of assistive technology in your art activities.
Alimed www.alimed.com 800-225-2610
This site is predominantly medical and generalized orthopedic and rehabilitative supplies, but many of these adaptive tools could be useful to an artist with a disability.
Art Supply Warehouse www.aswexpress.com 800-995-6778
The Art Supply Warehouse has wrist-and-hand supporting bridges to give you control while you paint (the Tanner Watercolor Bridge, $19.99), adjustable-height drafting or drawing boards that can tilt your work surface (2001 Art Station by Studio RTA, $119.99), and other art supplies. The Web site can be complicated to navigate, so call the toll-free number for a catalog.
Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff www.cheapjoescatalog.com 800-227-2788
Cheap Joe’s is another art supply store with immense online offerings and a huge catalog. The Web site hosts an “artists’ community” and even has a magazine, cleverly named The Palette .
Dick Blick www.dickblick.com 800-828-4548
Dick Blick is a legend, with an extensive Web site, a catalog, and stores throughout the country.
Gold Violin www.goldviolin.com 877-648-8400
The target audience of this Web site and company is older Americans, but many of the adaptive tools and gadgets are useful for artists with disabilities too.
Independent Living Technologies (ILT) www.iltsource.com
ILT is dedicated to enable and transform everyday life by supplying quality assistive living products and technologies that meet their customer’s unique and special needs. They offer a range of products for communication, hearing, vision, mobility and an assortment other needs.
Pearl Paint Supplies www.pearlpaint.com 800-221-6845
Pearl Paint is a general art supply store with a big online shopping resource. Come here for any art supply, such as Winsor-Newton pots of paint (easier to manipulate if you have limited hand or arm control).
Madenta www.madentec.com
Madenta makes trackers for head pointing that work with a tiny dot taped to your forehead.
Mobility Store www.mobilitystore.com 800-603-9857
This Web site offers adaptive tools for every aspect of life, and many can be applied to your art, like the Gripcert reacher. It can allow you to grip many objects, from a single sheet of paper to a tiny tube of paint, water jars, canvasses, brushes, and even something as fine as a coin.
Northcoast Medical www.ncmedical.com 800-821-9319
While not specifically art-related, the online catalog features many tools and devices that can be used in a studio environment.
Sammons Preston www.sammonspreston.com 800-323-5547
The equipment and adaptive resources available from this site and catalog are general, but include tools specifically for arts and crafts as well. Call the toll-free number for a catalog.
S&S Healthcare www.snswwide.com 800-566-6678
In the late 1960′s, Stephen became president of S&S and has continued the mail order approach developed by his father, but expanded the company’s product line, which now includes games, therapy products, early learning materials and products for movement, motion and balance. An entire section of arts and crafts materials, most of the adaptive supplies are under the “therapy” sections.
FOR MUSIC
Arts4All, Ltd. www.arts4all.com
A provider of digital arts, arts education, and entertainment content for students, teachers, and audiences around the world. This was created to pioneer the future of the digital arts industry.
Coalition for Disabled Musicians www.disabled-musicians.org Phone: (631) 586-0366 e-mail CDMNews@aol.com
Click on “adaptive gear” for information about modified instruments and check out their national referral service.
Dancing Dots Phone: (610) 783-6692 email: info@dancingdots.com http://www.dancingdots.com
In 1997 Dancing Dots released its first product, the GOODFEEL Braille Music Translator. The company has expanded its focus to enabling blind musicians to independently record, edit and print out their musical ideas. In 2001, Dancing Dots published a new curriculum for Braille music entitled: “An Introduction to Music for the Blind Student, A Course in Braille Music Reading”, by Richard Taesch. Soon after introducing this new curriculum, the company released Taesch’s “Introduction to the Piano for the Blind Student.” Although the company specializes in the integration of assistive technology and music, it also provides sales, support and training for more conventional assistive technology and music supplies. Consultation and training services are available.
National Resource Center for Blind Musicians www.blindmusicstudent.org
On the home page, click on the link to the table of contents for connections to education information, like the Summer Institute, and perspectives from professional musicians.
Super Switch Ensemble www.switchintime.com
Imagine using a switch to conduct a symphony orchestra, sing a nursery rhyme, improvise a heavy-metal guitar solo, call a western square dance or belt out a smoky blues song! This software enables students with mixed abilities to actively participate in musical activities using existing adaptive computer equipment and a music synthesizer built into your computer.
[Note: The following 4 resources were extracted from B-Sharp News , a newsletter from the Coalition for Disabled Musicians] Phone: 1-800-462-5917, or 918-426-3656
A device that clips onto the neck of the guitar and makes it easier to play chords.
E-Z chord – Graywood Mailbox Music
Mouth Activated Controllers for Piano & Keyboards – Digital Music Network Email: pierrej@earthlink.net
Equipment that enables people with limited or no use of their lower extremities to use the sustain pedal on pianos and keyboards.
Backsaver Drum Practice Pad – KayJae Manufacturing Co., Inc. 1-888-4-KAYJAE, (804)725-9664 www.kayjae.com email: sales@kayjae.com
The KayJae Backsaver Drum Practice Pad was invented to make it easier, more comfortable and less painful to practice rudiments or to warm up before a performance. It is light weight and portable, and can be used on almost any chair, even a drum stool.
MUSICOR 10 rue Joseph Liouville 75015 Paris – France Tel: 33 1 56 36 00 32
contact: Maria Saboia email: marie-claude.dagens@caes.cnrs.fr
Experimental invention that provides support for the arms and hands while playing piano or keyboards. Inventor claims that the Musicor user will feel more confident and more relaxed, and can guide and control their movements with ease.
FOR PERFORMERS
Damon Brooks Associates www.damonbrooks.com
Damon Brooks is a talent agency that specifically represents performers and speakers who have disabilities. The Web site includes a list of the performers they represent as well as their clientele. Contact them directly for information about joining their roster.
Media Access Office www.disabilityemployment.org/med_acc.htm
Primarily West coast-based, the Media Access Office “promotes the employment and accurate portrayal of persons with disabilities in all areas of the media and entertainment industry.” The Web site includes links to job and networking opportunities, news, and other resources.
Mixed Ability Dance Resource Directory http://www.wac.ucla.edu/cip/dancemedia/index.htm
Mixed Ability Dance Resource Directory includes dance companies and groups are comprised of dancers with and without disabilities. In addition to performance work many of the dance companies also provide dance instruction, workshops or training.
The Non-Traditional Casting Project (NTCP) www.ntcp.org
NTCP is a not-for-profit advocacy organization established in 1986 to address and seek solutions to the problems of racism and exclusion in theater, film and television. They offer a resource guide that includes information on working with actors with disabilities, as well as a consulting and information program that consults to a variety of organizations, institutions and individuals regarding diversity and inclusion, covering a range of professional needs. Also check out their roundtable and resource evenings, which bring together actors, directors, casting directors, producers, writers, agents and designers to deepen the dialogue regarding inclusion through the candid exchange of personal views.
Professional Enrichment Program (PEP) http://www.culturedisabilitytalent.org
PEP is a coalition of partners (in the San Francisco Bay area) sponsoring activities to build bridges, enabling and supporting people from non-traditional groups, especially people with disabilities, to engage in professional theatre work. The website has a list of writings about adapting theatre.