About
Accessibility at CATA
Accessibility and inclusion is at the core of all that we do. We’re always working to expand resources and accommodations to make our programs and events accessible to everyone. We offer a variety of adaptive tools and resources in our workshops, including adaptive paint brushes and musical instruments, sensory friendly approaches, and more. Our public events include a wide range of accessibility features, including ASL interpretation, braille and large print materials. We also work with CATA artists as paid user experts to provide feedback to continually improve and grow our programs.
Read below for detailed information about Accessibility at CATA. For questions or feedback, please contact Jeff Gagnon (CATA’s Accessibility & ADA/504 Coordinator) at Jeff@CATAarts.org or (413) 528-5485.
CATA’s Building & Art Studios
Our building embraces the principles of Universal Design, with ample accessible parking, an accessible front entrance, an elevator to our second floor, automatic door actuators, accessible restrooms, and a sensory space for those who need a quiet and calming space.
Parking: Accessible parking is available at our office and studio spaces at 420 Stockbridge Road (in the Jenifer House Commons). Should you need assistance, please call the office at (413) 528-5485.
Entering the building: From the parking lot, follow the accessible bridge up to the front entrance and patio. On the ground floor you will find CATA’s Administrative Office and Visual Arts & Writing Studio. On the second floor (accessible by elevator or stairs) you will find our Performing Arts Studio, Lounge, and sensory space.
Restrooms: CATA has accessible, gender-neutral restrooms located on each floor. The second floor restroom includes a Hoyer lift and adult changing table.
Service dogs, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are welcome at CATA. Advance notice is requested in order to accommodate participants who may have a fear of animals.
Do you have questions or want to share feedback about accessibility at CATA? Contact our Accessibility and ADA/504 Coordinator Jeff Gagnon at Jeff@CATAarts.org or (413) 528-5485.
CATA Workshops
Every CATA workshop is designed with accessibility and inclusion at its core. CATA workshops are designed to be adaptive to meet the needs and abilities of every individual. Our Faculty Artists offer a variety of ways to engage in each artform. We also offer workshops with specific adaptive and sensory friendly elements.
Adaptive tools: We offer a variety of adaptive art-making tools, musical instruments, and other accommodations, including:
- Adaptive paint brushes, pens, scissors, and other tools
- Tables and easels with adjustable height
- Magnifying tools for artists with low vision
- Adaptive musical instruments
- iPads with adaptive music, photography, and art-making apps
- Tactile surfaces for dance and other art forms
- Adaptive tap shoes
- Volunteer scribes in our Writers’ Workshop
- Adaptive painting programs, including Artistic Realization Technologies (A.R.T.)
- Sensory-friendly approaches to dance and other art forms
- Adaptive, inclusive techniques and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) woven into all curriculum
- And more!
Sensory Space: CATA has a Sensory Space for those who wish to take a break in a calming environment, with a weighted blanket, Yogibo bean bag chairs, noise canceling headphones, fidget devices, a calming sound / light machine, and dimmable lights.
For questions about accessibility in CATA programs or to request specific accommodations, please contact Jeff Gagnon at Jeff@CATAarts.org or call (413) 528-5485.
Public Events
CATA partners with a wide range of cultural organizations, museums, theaters, and community-based partners to bring art exhibits, readings, and performances by CATA artists to the public. We provide Know-Before-You-Go information prior to all of our public events with Accessibility details related to each venue and program. We make every effort to provide an array of accessibility tools and resources at all of our events, including:
- ASL interpretation
- Braille, large print, and Spanish-language materials
- Captioning and audio description
- Adaptive art-making tools at public art-making programs
- Sensory tools (including noise canceling headphones and fidget devices)
- Assistive Listening Devices
Accessibility & ADA/504 Coordinator
If you have any questions about accessibility at CATA, please contact Jeff Gagnon, CATA’s Accessibility & ADA/504 Coordinator, at Jeff@CATAarts.org or call (413) 528-5485.
Feedback and Accommodation Requests
Do you know ways to make our programs or events more accessible? Are there accommodations you need that we are not providing? We’d love to hear from you and will do our best to accommodate you.
CATA invites CATA artists, families, caregivers, program partners, and visitors to share candid feedback on any challenges or barriers you encounter related to the accessibility of our building or programs. Please call or email our Accessibility Coordinator, Jeff Gagnon at (413) 528-5485 or Jeff@CATAarts.org. If you’d prefer, you can also provide feedback by filling out this form.
Website Accessibility
Community Access to the Arts is committed to providing a functional, accessible, and interactive web experience for all users. We welcome feedback on how to improve our site’s accessibility.
If, at any time, you have specific questions or concerns about the accessibility of any particular web page on CATAarts.org, please contact us at info@CATAarts.org or call us at (413) 528-5485.
CATA continues to be a proud member of the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Universal Participation (UP) Initiative.
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