Access to Theater (ATT) Receives Global Recognition

Participants performing

After hosting our Access to Theater (ATT) program virtually throughout the pandemic, we were thrilled to bring our performance back in-person this past August for our Summer Showcase! With a focus on developing communication, artistic, and leadership skills and lasting professional and personal friendships, it’s a joy to watch our youth get involved in all aspects of theater.

Throughout the past several months, we’ve put a lot of hard work into growing ATT even more, which includes serving more youth in the program this year compared to last. We’re excited to see all of our effort paying off by receiving the 2023 Zero Project Award and having ATT featured on Discovery Education’s website!

2023 Zero Project Awardee

The Zero Project is an organization based in Vienna, Austria that engages a worldwide network of innovators, decision-makers, and opinion leaders to select, communicate, and share innovative solutions that support the rights and lives of persons with disabilities. Each year, they host the Zero Project Conference in Vienna that discusses a particular topic, with this year’s being independent living and political participation, and honor organizations throughout the world who are helping to make the world a more inclusive place with a focus on that theme.

We’re pleased to share that we’re a 2023 Zero Project Awardee for ATT! Our Executive Director, Tere Ramos, will be accepting the award at #ZeroCon23 on February 22-24, 2023. We’re honored to receive this global recognition for the work that we’re doing to build confidence in youth with disabilities through our theater program and look forward to meeting with other organizations who also support the rights of people with disabilities.

Discovery Education Feature

Discovery Education created the Social-Emotional Learning Coalition, which provides educators nationwide with timely content to help them incorporate SEL into their teachings and give students the framework to use it in their everyday life.

We’re honored to have a spotlight on ATT under their Student Stories video topic series, which gives real-world examples of how students can use social-emotional learning to make intelligent decisions and develop positive relationships. In our “Seen and Heard” video feature, we show how the sense of belonging within a group boosts happiness, supports wellbeing, and inspires others.

As we continue our work to support youth with disabilities to lead self-determined lives with dignity, pride, and purpose, we’re grateful that Discovery Education and the Social-Emotional Learning Coalition chose our program to highlight as a key resource for students and youth.

With the generous support of friends like you, our important work through ATT will continue to thrive and grow. Please consider donating to help us keep making strides.