Featured image: Accessibility icon from the Accessible Icon Project of a person actively using a wheelchair.
Page Content:
- Commitment to Accessibility
- Access Coordinator & Contact
- Language Access
- Disability Access Services
- Online Grant Interface
- Virtual Programs Accessibility
- In-Person Access
- Accessibility Resources for Arts Organizations
Commitment to Accessibility
The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council is committed to expand our internal capacity, and the capacity of the artists and organizations we support, so that people of all abilities are assured access to the arts. MRAC does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. We at MRAC strive to exceed ADA guidelines by providing accessibility services and accommodations proactively, adapting our current processes and policies to remove barriers to equal access, and developing new activities with accessibility in mind at the outset.
Access Coordinator & Contact
All MRAC staff are trained in disability inclusion and accessibility best practices to ensure applicants with disabilities have equal access to grant opportunities and other services. If you are seeking information about a specific grant opportunity or event, please connect with the contact listed. If you are not sure where to start, please email Scott Artley at scott@mrac.org or call 651-523-6384 to connect about your needs. You may also contact the main administrative line at 651-645-0402 or mrac@mrac.org. Office hours are generally 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Language Access
Guidelines and other grant application materials are translated into Spanish and will be made available on the grant program page. MRAC’s website can also be translated into Spanish by clicking the language button in the top left corner. We request at least two weeks’ notice to translate materials into additional languages.
Applicants are encouraged to apply in their preferred language. With advance notice, MRAC can contract an interpreter and/or translator to assist during the application process.
Disability Access Services
Images: Disability access symbols for Braille, Large Print, American Sign Language, Open Captioning, and Audio Description
MRAC works to ensure that grant guidelines, workshop presentations, and any other written or audio/visual materials are created with accessibility principles in mind. Additionally, we are happy to provide materials in Braille, Large Print, or other formats with advanced notice that varies according to format, from one week to on-demand, but even if the published notice timeline has elapsed, we may still be able to accommodate the request.
The MRAC website uses an accessibility plug-in that allows the user to select various options to improve their experience, from increasing text size and contrast to changing font type. On each grant webpage there is a link to the guidelines in a text format that is friendly to screen readers. This text format also allows you to easily adjust the font size in your browser.
Online Grant Interface
MRAC uses an online grant-making platform designed and managed by Submittable. Comprehensive applicant support guidance is available to help you with technical aspects of managing your account and submitting an application.
Submittable is designed to be accessible to a wide range of submitters with disabilities. The Submittable platform has been certified to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) Level AA Accessibility to ensure people using assistive technologies can easily navigate Submittable’s pages and forms.
MRAC requests that all applicants apply online using the Submittable grant interface. Applicants with disabilities wishing to use other means to apply can work with MRAC staff to adapt our typical processes to ensure you have equal opportunity to submit an application. Solutions we have previously implemented include filling out an adapted form in Microsoft Word, and providing verbal responses that MRAC will share via audio recording or transcribe. To begin a conversation about how we can help, please contact the program director for the grant opportunity you wish to pursue (listed on each grant program page) at least one week prior to the deadline for assistance.
Virtual Programs Accessibility
Some MRAC activities are offered in virtual/online formats, typically using Zoom, a virtual conferencing software available for free download, or available (with limited functionality) in your browser. Participants may also call in via phone to participate. Visit zoom.us or find it on your device’s app store to download software before the meeting begins. Live automated captioning is always available: Learn how to enable captions on Zoom. Visit Zoom’s accessibility page for more information on additional accessibility settings. Zoom’s conferencing software has been certified to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) Level AA Accessibility.
Recorded events (like grant information workshops and panel orientations) are available on MRAC’s YouTube channel with English captions that can also be automatically translated into other languages. For activities led by MRAC staff, presenters will describe all visual elements of presentations verbally.
Upon request, live human-generated captions, live American Sign Language interpretation, and related written materials provided in advance are available for most activities.
MRAC staff use a scheduling application called OnceHub to facilitate meetings with applicants and other MRAC stakeholders. The public-facing scheduling platform has been certified to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) Level AA Accessibility.
In-Person Access
As of March 2020, MRAC does not have a physical office location. When activities are held in-person, event promotional materials will include all accessibility details. For relevant in-person events, we will make accommodations for dietary needs and fragrance sensitivity (two days’ advance notice requested).
Accessibility Resources for Arts Organizations
If you would like to learn more about making your organization accessible to people with disabilities, please visit Accessibility Resources for Arts Organizations.