The Accessible Arts program aims to create, deliver, and support educational programming for students allowing them to take part in rich artistic experiences in the least restrictive environment so that all students may learn and love music for life. Accessible arts is the integration of therapeutic techniques, psychological approaches and educational adaptations in order to create the conditions whereby an individual who might be challenged by socioeconomic status, physical disability, mental illness or developmental delay can fully participate in the creative process.
ITA therapists provide:
- Assessment
- Professional Consultation
- Training
- Inclusion Support
- Self-contained and Mainstream Creative Arts groups and ensembles
Often times individuals are interested in pursuing arts education, but might have limitations which impact their ability to learn or function in a typical educational environment. For this reason, ITA therapists are available to conduct an assessment of “readiness” identifying the level of support one may need in order to recieve arts instruction and the most appropirate enviornment for learning.
For Educators
The job of the arts educator has always been multi-faceted, but it is becoming even more complex with the demands of today’s challenging education environment. For this reason, ITA offers informational workshops and trainings shaped to meet the needs of the school district, the special educator, the arts educator, or all of the above. Therapists are available to observe classes and offer recommendations for accomodating special learners, adapting arts-based curriculums and can provide individual consultation. Training topics include:
- Identifying Special Learning Needs: Beginning the Dialogue with Parents
- An Overview of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Special Education System
- Exceptions or Exceptional: Teaching Children with Special Needs
- Teaching the Arts with Intention in the Early Childhood Classroom