Past Programs

Discover past program videos, handouts & resources.

A speaker holds a microphone. An ASL interpreter interprets. In the background is the audience, including a service animal.

Adapting and Advancing: Cultural Accessibility During the Pandemic and Beyond-Day One

April 22 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm CDT
Living during a pandemic has transformed the way we present cultural programming - revealing both limitations and limitless opportunities. Join us on Day One of a two-day series as we explore how cultural organizations have inventively adapted to incorporate accessibility into their work during the past year.

Ask About Access

March 25 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm CDT
We all want our programs, our spaces, and our online events to be accessible to as many folks as possible , but it’s easy to feel out of your depth, especially when you’re first starting to implement services such as captioning, sign language interpretation, or audio description into your programming. Here’s the time and space to ask accessibility providers and users where you can begin, wha...

CCAC Lunch and Learn: Disability in Children’s Literature

March 23 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm CDT
Children’s literature is a critical tool in helping children to understand the world around them. One perspective often not captured in children’s literature, or captured ineffectively, is that of the disability experience. Although diverse representation in children’s literature is an ongoing challenge to be addressed, we as consumers can take responsive action through a more mindful assess...

CCAC Lunch and Learn: Intro to CCAC Steering Committee

February 23 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm CST
In this “Ask Me Anything” Lunch and Learn, join current members of the CCAC Steering Committee to delve into the responsibilities of the Consortium. If you or someone you know in the Chicagoland area is interested in being involved on a leadership level with CCAC, then this is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about what the expectations are.

Accessibility Compliance for Grantees

January 26 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm CST
Accessibility Compliance is a big key when applying for grants in the arts and culture sector, but this work goes beyond just the ticking of boxes.  What are some of the tools and resources organizations can reference when working through ADA Checklists for grant funding? Join us for some expert guidance aimed at setting your organization up for success with approaching materials commonly asked f...

Discussion: Linking Inclusion and Anti-racism

January 21 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm CST
Anti-racism and disability inclusion is all of our responsibility. Join us for an interactive conversation to begin exploring how access is linked to anti-racism and needed in all cultural spaces. No prior experience or knowledge is required, but a commitment to watching a required video and being ready to actively participate in small group discussion is expected.

Access Book Club- What Can a Body Do? with Sara Hendren

December 4, 2020 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm CST
Join your CCAC friends for a special program with Sara Hendren, author of the new book What Can a Body Do? Hendren’s work explores the intersection of our physical abilities and the built environment. Close out 2020 with us by taking a step back to explore the nuances and opportunities inherent in the accessibility work we are all doing and reflect on how we can better serve our communities in 2...

Online Programming for All Learners

October 29, 2020 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm CDT
Learn how to integrate best practices for effectively engaging individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities through virtual programming.

PANEL: Intro to Cultural Accessibility

October 1, 2020 @ 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm CDT
Take the first (or second, third, or fourth!) steps toward creating a more inclusive experience at your organization, even if the pandemic has your organization working solely in virtual space.

Leading Accessible Virtual Programs

April 4, 2020 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm CDT
Successfully integrate accessibility, such as captioning, ASL interpreters, and audio description, into your next staff meeting or public program using the provided tools and strategies.

New Year Access Resolutions

January 23, 2020
Plan practical strategies to meet your goals, and leave with a network of professionals to support your next steps—whether it’s starting anew or building out your existing accessible offerings.

Serving Older Adults in Cultural Institutions

October 17, 2019
Hear from panelists representing cultural administrators and partner organizations about how they are better considering older adults in their programming and services.

A Showcase of Accessible Services for Theater

June 17, 2019 - September 20, 2020
Members of the creative, production, access and audience teams that performed “Project Potential” will discuss the fundamentals of each accessible service.

Intro to Cultural Accessibility for Visitors with Disabilities

May 20, 2019
Is your organization thinking about ways to engage more inclusive practices for visitors with disabilities, but you’re not sure where to begin?

Welcoming Veterans

March 21, 2019
Learn about some of the barriers that can prevent a Veteran from having an enjoyable experience.

Developing Accessible Museum Exhibitions

January 17, 2019
This workshop-style session will put the focus on exhibits, from space and flow, to interactives, to labels – and how to make them more accessible and inclusive.

Accessibility 101

January 17, 2018
This workshop will help you take the first steps toward creating a more inclusive experience at your organization.

Web and Technology Access: Top Tips

October 27, 2017
We will discuss best practices for online and digital accessibility, highlight innovative apps currently in use, and share top tips for tech accessibility

LEAD Conference Share-Out: 60 Ideas in 60 Minutes

September 14, 2017
Gain key takeaways from your Chicago colleagues who attended the LEAD conference.

Accessible Outdoor Events

April 20, 2017
Get ready for summer in Chicago with this session devoted to providing accessible events outside!

Creating a staff training plan for access and inclusion

February 22, 2017
Learn how to create a low-cost, ongoing staff training plan for access and inclusion for all staff and volunteers.

Visual Language, Verbal Description and Multisensory Strategies

December 1, 2016
Through presentation, exercises and discussion, participants will explore the benefits of descriptive language for all audiences, learn the purpose of more thorough description for visitors who are blind or have

Intro to Captioning

November 18, 2016
Captioning makes our art accessible to people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Open and Closed Captioning can be presented via a variety of platforms to offer a text

Sensory-Friendly Cultural Programming Summit

April 12, 2016
Visiting cultural organizations may be unsettling for visitors with sensory issues, including those on the Autism Spectrum and those with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). The bombardment of sensory information, a change

Creative Engagement in an Aging Society

March 9, 2016
Creative engagement programs invite elders to share their imagination – to help connect to and shape the world around them. Anne Basting will demonstrate how, rather than lamenting our aging

Is Your Cultural Organization Prepared for An Emergency?

February 25, 2016
Hear from experienced emergency planners on best practices to address the needs of staff and visitors with disabilities in your emergency plan.  Experts will present their planning process and practical

Getting Down to Business

October 29, 2015
Hear from cultural administrators in the midst of this process to learn about their successes, challenges, and how to move your own organization’s process forward.

Inclusive Programming for Children with Disabilities

May 14, 2015
Learn best practices for ensuring your programs are inclusive for the children with disabilities and their families who visit your cultural institution.

Funding Accessibility

April 15, 2015
A panel of professionals share the basics of development and discuss the increasing attention funders are paying to accessibility.

Accessible Seating and Ticketing

March 26, 2015
Join us as we explore this topic and others to learn how the recent changes to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations impact your seating and ticketing policies.