Conference Sessions 

Welcome & Keynote  

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. EDT 

John Orr, Executive Director- Art-Reach 

Dr. Sachin Dev Pavithran, Executive Director- US Access Board 

The conference will open with remarks from John Orr that celebrate the Art-Reach Conference’s 5th year! What began as 75 people in-person among regional partners evolved into an online, disability centered, global, accessible, and affordable forum for people who are eager to learn and apply their passion for equity and belonging to their organizations. 

Dr. Sachin Dev Pavithra, the Executive Director of the United States Access Board will present the Keynote address. From research and training to the continued development of guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act, learn about Dr. Pavithran lifelong commitment to advocating for disabled people. What has been the focus of the Access Board during the Biden Administration? Where do we see the ADA headed in the next five years? And what excites Dr. Pavithran about arts and cultural engagement? This and more we will discuss with this dynamic leader.  

Call to Action!  

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT

Francisco Eraso, Access Consultant, Artist 

Fresh from receiving the Emerging Leader in the Field award from The Kennedy Center Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability, we are honored to present disabled, trans, Columbian-American artists, educator and access consultant, Francisco Eraso. Francisco will discuss his/their access practice rooted in disability justice, trans liberation, decolonization, and the creative redistribution of resources. This presentation invites attendees to consider grassroots, cross-disability approach to future access practice.  

Day 2: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 

Measuring the Accessibility Health of Your Brand & Digital Portfolio 

11:00 am. – 12:30 pm. EDT 

Emma Barker, CPACC- Data Team Lead- Tamman, Inc. 

Marty Molloy, President- Tamman, Inc.

Members of Tamman’s accessibility team will briefly present a number of tools that are available to review the accessibility health of an organization’s website and brand, providing a couple key takeaways on how to independently take action. This is an interactive session where attendees can share their websites’ homepage and/or specific brand palette and have the team provide feedback in real-time. 

Creating Joy at Work 

2:00 pm. – 3:00 p.m. EDT 

Jessica McCracken, Director- Creative Spark (Front Porch) 

Katie Wade, Director of Creative Engagement- Creative Spark (Front Porch) 

Apply a creative, joyful lens to the work you do. Through interactive exercises, Creative Spark will utilize the power of creative thinking to discover the role of joy in our work experience, helping us shift perspective and see our organizations and ourselves in a new way. 

Low Sensory-Not so Friendly

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. EDT 

Nell Krahnke, PhD Student- Indiana University 

This workshop will focus specifically on planning and implementing a sensory friendly program. Many organizations are now implementing some form of Sensory Friendly Morning or Day as a way to encourage visitors with sensory needs. This workshop will go through the steps of planning and implementing one of these experiences, with specific focus on common mistakes and challenges that emerge. 

Day 3: Thursday, October 5, 2023 

“Are We Part of the Same General Public?”: A History of Disability Advocacy and Inclusion in the Arts 

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. EDT 

Armani Wall, Freelance Access Consultant

This presentation delves into the history of museum professionals creating accessible spaces and programs in museums and other arts and culture institutions, and how these developments line up with major events in the Disability Civil Rights Movement. After an overview of the history, the presentation will address the state of accessibility in today's world and where we go from here. 

Access to Inclusion: New Tools for Accessibility Excellence 

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. EDT 

Jenny Angell, Project Manager- Accessibility Excellence 

(PA Museums) 

Janet Bowen, MLS, Museum Educator-Accessibility Excellence 

(PA Historical & Museum Commission) 

Janetta Green, Chief Executive Officer- Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania 

Heather Schoenwald, Independent Living Specialist- Liberty Resources, Inc