Mission 

ACCESS ATL empowers the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and DeafBlind community by breaking down communication barriers and fostering inclusivity through accessible arts, education, and community connection. We enrich lives by ensuring equal access and promoting understanding.

Purpose: To support the community by providing services, education, and referrals to enhance accessibility at venues and community events for individuals with sensory or dual sensory loss.

Values

At ACCESS ATL, we are committed to:

• Accessibility: Providing comprehensive accessibility solutions across the arts, education, and community spaces, ensuring equal access and inclusion for all individuals, regardless of their needs.

• Excellence: Elevating standards across accessibility services through professional development, advanced training, collaboration with industry leaders, and staying on the cutting edge of emerging accessibility trends.

• Community: Building inclusive communities by bridging communication gaps, hosting Deaf-led events in safe spaces, and empowering the Deaf community through education and linguistic and cultural fluency. By enhancing accessibility, we enable the Deaf community to contribute back, creating a positive, cyclical impact.

• Education: Empowering K-12 students and interpreters through targeted training, enhancing fluency and educational access.

• Collaboration: Fostering culturally appropriate partnerships among entities, stakeholders, and service providers to create sustainable and impactful programs.

• Integrity: Maintaining the highest ethical standards in all our endeavors, respecting the language, culture, and rights of the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, DeafBlind, and CODA communities.

• Growth: Continuously striving to improve and expand our services, adapting to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

Our Three Pillars:

ACCESS ATL focuses its efforts on three key pillars:

1. Arts Accessibility:

We empower the Deaf community's full participation in the arts by partnering with venues, providing accessibility education, enhancing interpreter skills, and creating inclusive performance experiences.

1. • We partner with theaters, museums, and arts organizations to provide accessible performances and exhibitions.

   • We educate venues on Deaf culture and accessibility best practices.

   • We work with interpreters to enhance their skills in language fluency and interpretation.

   • We create opportunities for the Deaf community to fully experience and participate in the local arts scene.

2. K-12 Education:

We advance educational equity for Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and DeafBlind students by providing specialized training, addressing accessibility gaps, fostering inclusive school environments, and offering comprehensive resources.

2. • We provide targeted training for K-12 students and interpreters, improving fluency and educational access.

   • We identify and address gaps in educational accessibility for Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and DeafBlind students.

   • We collaborate with schools to create inclusive learning environments.

   • We provide resources and support to students and educators.

3. Sobriety and Support:

We ensure accessible recovery and well-being for Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals through safe spaces, supportive communities, cultural education for recovery programs, and dedicated interpreting services.

3. • We create safe and accessible spaces for Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals in recovery.

   • We facilitate support groups and community meetings, fostering connection and well-being.

   • We work to educate recovery programs and facilities on deaf culture and accessibility.

   • We provide interpreting services for recovery-related meetings.

   • We collaborate on education and prevention programs. 

Our Approach:

ACCESS ATL believes in a collaborative approach that uplifts and educates the community, interpreters, and stakeholders. We:

• Identify Gaps and Insensitivity: We actively seek to understand and address barriers to accessibility and communication.

• Provide Educational Learning Opportunities: We develop and deliver targeted training and workshops to enhance fluency, cultural competency, and sensitivity.

• Foster Community Engagement: We create opportunities for meaningful interaction and connection between Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, DeafBlind, and hearing individuals.

• Empower Through Partnership: We work closely with venues, schools, organizations, and interpreters to create sustainable and impactful programs.