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“ The ideal arts space is simple: it’s one in which art and culture are not sequestered from the lived experience of artists and their communities.”

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Accessibility in the Arts: A Promise and a Practice

PART I : What are Access Notes?

PART II : Window Room

PART III : Accomodations and Policy

PART IV: Using Window Room

PART V : Window Room TV

PART VI : Acknowledgements and Resources

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PART I

WHAT ARE

ACCESS

NOTES?

Accessibility covers a broad spectrum of actions and approaches that can make an environment or resource more engaging for everyone.

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These Access Notes are tool we use to publicize information about Window Room in order to break down any barriers keeping people for engaging with our resources.

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These notes include details about the physical space and materials, our procedures and policies, how to get in contact with us, and our virtual programming on Window Room TV

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Our approach to these Access Notes comes through a transformative Disability Justice framework.

What is Disability Justice?

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“Developed by queer and trans activists of color in the Bay area, Disability Justice (DJ) is the second wave of the disability rights movement, transforming it from a single issue approach to an intersectional, multisystemic way of looking at the world. Within this framework, disability is defined as an economic, cultural, and/or social exclusion based on a physical, psychological, sensory, or cognitive difference. Disability Justice movements understand disability to be unevenly distributed, primarily affecting black and indigenous communities, queer and trans communities, and low income communities. Disability is structurally reinforced by ableism, a system rooted in the supremacy of non-disabled people and the disenfranchisement of disabled people through the denial of access. Accessibility is the primary tool that organizations can engage to dismantle ableism and create a more inclusive space; it defines the degree to which all people can engage with certain resources and participate in cultural, social, political, and economic spheres.” Accessibility in the Arts: A promise and a Practice

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Live video streaming or documentation of an event can be made possible upon request and with permission from the artists. Please communicate with us any additional accommodations or questions 48 hours before anything in our physical or virtual spaces.

PART II

WINDOW ROOM

Window Room is an art space in Southwest Philadelphia.

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windowroom.org

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Instagram: @thewindowroom

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OUR PHYSICAL SPACE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO PUBLIC EVENTS DUE TO COVID-19.

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We are currently providing programming through Window Room TV

windowroomtv.org

Reach out to us for our exact address or with any questions, additional accommodations, or comments:

windowroomphilly@gmail.com

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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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Window Room acknowledges it occupies traditional lands of the Lenape people, more specifically the Lenape called this part of Southwest Philly “Chingsessing,” or “the place where there is a meadow.” We recognize we all have a responsibility to this land and the people who have lived and currently live here.

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PART III

ACCOMODATIONS

AND

POLICIES

ACCESS TEAM

• For all public events we will have a designated access-team member who is familiar with the space and will help you reach your access needs as best as we can.
• This person will be wearing a neon yellow signifier (scrunchie, wrist band, ect)

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BATHROOMS

• There are two all-gender bathrooms on the second floor.
• One bathroom has two stalls without handrails, and a large industrial sink.
• The other bathroom is a single room, no handrails, mirror, and sink.
• Low-scent soap, toilet paper, and hand towels are always available at Window Room if they are not readily available in the bathrooms.
• Signage to the bathrooms is within the studio marked and verbal directions can be given.

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CONSENT

• Our notes on consent are inspired from the ‘Art+Feminism Safe Space/ Brave Space Policy’

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• We are all responsible for making Window Room a safe and engaging space for every(body).

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• If you do not feel safe or have additional access needs while in the space please find our access-team member who will be wearing a neon-yellow signifer (scrunchie, wristband, ect) and we will direct you to resources we have that may aid you.

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CONSENT

Unacceptable behavior includes but is not limited to:

• making offensive comments related to any personal characteristic or identity.
• deliberate intimidation, stalking, following.
• harassing photography or recording; photographing and recording someone for any reason without first acquiring their consent.
• continued disruption of presenters, talks, or performances.
• disrespecting the physical, mental, and emotional space of others; touching a person, their hair, or their belongings without consent; not listening when boundaries are stated.
• unwelcome, deliberate physical contact or attention (including touching a person’s hair without consent);
• physical and/or verbal threats to any person or group

LIGHTING

• Lighting of the space may change according to a program’s needs. However, non-fluorescent lighting is available and often used in our lobby areas.
• Any program using strobe or intense lighting will be noted verbally before the event and in any program notes.

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LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION

• Window Room is studio #228 on the second floor of the Grays Ave Warehouse. Exact address of the space can be given upon request through email.
• The studio is in a multi-unit warehouse with multiple entrances. The main entrance is the black metal gate, facing the street, on the end of the building closest to 52nd st. Pictures of this doorway can be provided upon request through email.
• Warehouse is located off of SEPTA 36 trolley, 64 or 52 bus.
• Parking all around the warehouse
• All programs will have signage outside of the warehouse, in the stairwell, and in the hallways leading to the studio.
• If you are unable to get affordable, safe transportation to Window Room or need any additional assistance finding the studio please contact us!

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MOBILITY

• Leading up to entrances there is uneven ground/cracks in the pavement
• The space is not currently wheelchair accessible due to an out-of-order elevator.
• The stairway to the second floor has handrails, 24 steps, and 2 landings/turns.

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SCENTS AND CHEMICALS

• We try to be a low-scent space.
• We ask everyone that comes to Window Room come fragrance-free.
• Cleaning products used in our space are scent-free.
• Ventilation with fans and our window can be provided.
• Quick second-floor access to the outside can be pointed out on request.
• No smoking inside the building.
• The warehouse is well used and old.
• There can be dust and odors from art materials in the air.
• Darkroom chemicals give off orders when used.

SEATING

• 60+ chairs
• 1 cushioned loveseat with arms
• 6 wide, sturdy chairs without arms
• 100+ foam puzzle piece floor tiles for floor seating.

STIMMING

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• Window Room is pro-stim. Please feel free to stim as you please.
• A low-stimulation space can be found in our ‘office’ space. Please ask an access-team member (person wearing neon yellow signifer).
• Our low-stim space can be isolated from the general crowd, low -light, fan, blankets, music, drawing, water

TEMPERATURE

• Window Room does not have access to central temperature control.
• Heating/cooling can be supplied by a wood pellet furnace, space heaters, air conditioner, and 5 industrial fans.
• 3 blankets.
• Water is always available.
• Easy access to outside.

PART IV

USING

WINDOW

ROOM

TBA

What can I do to make Window Room more accessible?

• Use All-Gender inclusive language (no assumptions about gender/sexuality, use affirming pronouns)
• Honor everyone’s personal space and consent
• Help keep our space accessible to those with chemical sensitivities by keeping the space as scent-free as possible (ex: heavy cologne, smoking, oranges, etc).
• Wait for people to be done saying what they want to say before you begin speaking.
• Please set electronics to vibrate in order to not interrupt performances or conversations.
• If you are experiencing any form of harassment please find our access-team member and we will discuss what actions you would like us to take.

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**make this its own ‘chapter’**

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PART IV

WINDOW ROOM

TV

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windowroomtv.org

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Window Room TV makes virtual space for artists and activists to present work, experiment, organize, and converse. Through this project we explore virtual collectivity, open-curating models, and liveness/aliveness. The project is set up to continually morph as we reflect, learn, and break the platform.

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If you want to get involved in any way please email us at windowroomtv@gmail.com

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PART VI ACKNOWLEDGE-

MENTS

AND

RESOURCES

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The following accessibility notes are always evolving and guided by the experience and knowledge of disabled humans everywhere, and the additional resources listed below.

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• SinsInvalid’s recently released Second Edition of Skin, Tooth, and Bone: The Basis of Movement is Our People is a Disability Justice Primer
• Accessibility in the Arts: A promise and a Practice
• Cripping the Arts Access Notes
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Meetup/ArtandFeminism/Safespacepolicy

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and RESOURCES