Planning for Access: Announcing Our d/Deaf & Disability Equity Plan

Charles G. Baldwin, Program Officer

Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Mass Cultural Council’s first-ever d/Deaf & Disability Equity Plan (FY25-28) went into effect on July 1. This marks the culmination of an inclusive planning process leading us to this key moment in the Agency’s work.

Endorsed by a vote of our governing Council, the d/Deaf and Disability Equity Plan joins a suite of plans developed by the Agency and its stakeholders to center equity as a guiding principle and a strategic practice; directing Agency advancement and investment.

Rooted not only in compliance, the plan incorporates the experiences, responses, and perspectives of people with disabilities. It has been developed in response to the recommendations of people with disabilities at every juncture. People with disabilities were leaders in the research and development of surveys, evaluations, audits, and site visits. People with disabilities were on both sides of the data gathering process.

To develop the plan and its recommendations, consultants from Open Door Arts and Art-Reach engaged a team of 13 expert advisors with professional expertise and experience – as well as lived experience – to inform the process and ensure a multitude of perspectives contributed to overall findings and subsequent recommendations. Specific data collection and review included:

• 3 surveys designed and distributed in collaboration with expert advisors
• 6 focus group sessions with expert advisors
• 123 respondents from UP Designated Organizations
• 147 respondents from Organizations funded by Mass Cultural Council (Not UP Designated)
• 254 individuals with disabilities (including artists with disabilities and/or family members or caregivers of individuals with disabilities)

People with disabilities will continue to advise the Agency on plan impact and modifications.

The new plan also complements existing federal government compliance as required by the National Endowment for the Arts:

• Our Partnership Agreement, which includes a responsibility to steward compliance to the Americans with Disabilities Act at the institutions receiving our federal/state funds.
• The Design for Accessibility: A Cultural Administrator’s Handbook, which is meant to guide State Arts Agencies in helping organizations not only comply with Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, but to assist in making access an integral part of their planning, mission, programs, outreach, meetings, budget and staffing.

There are two primary focuses to the plan:

1. External – to support and encourage an accessible and inclusive creative sector throughout the Commonwealth with investments and support for creative individuals within the d/Deaf and Disability communities and the resources and opportunities for cultural destinations to be accessible.
2. Internal – to strengthen Mass Cultural Council’s operational, programming, and governance practices, policies, and procedures by leveraging the knowledge and experience of individuals from the d/Deaf and Disability communities, ensuring their perspectives and needs are integral to the Council’s framework and approach.

Our d/Deaf & Disability Equity Plan considers Access as both iterative and responsive and outlines a conservative, attainable timeline to support staff and governing Council member engagement. It also marks a distinctive shift in how we support the cultural sector; both the individual creatives seeking funds as well as the organizations and projects that generate healthy, inclusive communities. A directive within reach.

Track our progress on this work using our equity journey map.

Download the Plan

Diversity Equity and Inclusion