Arts for All

Exploring Behavior to Increase Accessibility in Visual Art Classrooms

Accessibility requires an individualized approach. It means that we are proactive in removing barriers so that all students can engage equally. In arts classrooms there are different types of barriers than in academic classrooms. In this workshop, I was introduced to the ABC’s of Behavior and how it can help account for the unique environmental variables, classroom behavior systems, and curriculum and instruction occurring in arts classrooms. I was introduced to strategies, resources, and a process so that I can develop multi-tiered systems of support that integrate prevention, teaching, and reinforcement strategies that align to UDL guidelines and increase accessibility for all.

Presenter:

Dr. Helene Robinson has been an educator and advocate of accessibility and inclusion all her life. First as a public-school teacher in Miami Dade County Public Schools and Indian River Public Schools and then at other universities before joining USF Sarasota Manatee campus in 2013. Dr. Robinson is the Director for Critical & Creative Design Thinking, an Associate Professor of Instruction in the College of Education, the Arts Integration Coordinator, and an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Women & Gender Studies. Her work focuses on creating inclusive environments using multi-tiered systems of support, arts integration, UDL guidelines, self-regulation strategies, critical thinking, creativity, and design thinking to remove barriers to learning so that all diverse learners can thrive, with an emphasis on learners who experience disability. In all her work, she emphasizes the intersectionality of cultural identities and builds a posture of cultural reciprocity to empathize with the needs and values of others to design effective solutions. She was awarded the 2023 USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy award for her work to combat ableism and increase accessibility for women breast cancer survivors. She has conducted numerous professional development workshops, created innovative undergraduate and interdisciplinary graduate degree programs, presented at many international and national conferences, and led and collaborated on multiple grants.

Aspiro and SAGE are pleased to showcase the original works by Aspiro artists under the instruction of local artist Gregory Frederic.

In February 2024, Gregory Frederic assisted Aspiro artists in the creation of various works as part of Arts for All Wisconsin. This completed collection will be showcased during this exhibit as the culmination of Disabilities Awareness Month.

Founded in 1974 in Washington, D.C., the non-profit now known by Arts for All held its first exhibit in Wisconsin in 1977. The mission of ARTS for ALL Wisconsin is to expand the capabilities, confidence, and quality of life for children and adults with disabilities throughout Wisconsin by providing programs in the arts.

Gregory Frederic is a Haitian-born artist who relocated to Green Bay in 2013. Together with his wife, Amy, they juggle raising their family while managing the business, CrewlArt, named after his childhood nickname, Crewl. He teaches various art classes to aspiring artists with disabilities as an instructor for ARTS For ALL Wisconsin and often teaches from his own studio in Suamico.

Tag

Always a Student

My Client’s Exhibition on March 30th