An accessible "Gentse Feesten" 2024
The 2024 edition was inclusive, and we contributed to it!
On February 19, 2024, I was invited by the advisory group of the accessibility service of the city of Ghent to present our inclusive initiatives. This group, consisting of a diverse set of people with and without disabilities, represents the needs of people with disabilities in the city. I enjoyed meeting new people and introducing them to our goal: “dance for the blind and visually impaired.”
Shortly afterward, we were invited again to the building at Woodrow Wilson Square (De Zuid) to brainstorm about an “accessible Gentse Feesten.” Together with vzw Trefpunt, we met with the accessibility service to discuss possibilities. The result was that DanceOrientation realized 7 of the 21 accessible activities, in addition to organizing significant exposure with numerous performances by our #danceisblind formation.
The G-salsa girls (girls with intellectual disabilities) shone on the beautiful stage at Sint-Jacobs. Together with the city, vzw Trefpunt, and us, they sent a clear signal: “The Gentse Feesten are for everyone.”
With #danceisblind, we won the hearts of people on the grand stages of Sint-Jacobs and the Korenmarkt.
We conducted 7 inclusive dance workshops, including one specifically for people with hearing impairments. The city of Ghent provided a Flemish Sign Language interpreter and a mobile hearing loop for this.
We offered dance workshops in salsa, bachata, kizomba, quickstep, and son, featuring a rotating group of protagonists and filled with joy and fun. This was made possible with support from the city of Ghent. The Gentse Feesten have never been so perfect, so inclusive, and so kind for us.
Besides our enjoyment, we were recognized on all levels. We received a chic podcast on Buck.fm (available on our YouTube channel DanceOrientation) and on Spotify. We gained national recognition through a radio interview on Joe.fm (also available on our YouTube channel). We became a prominent social media item for the city of Ghent, and we also received a sum of €250 from VDK Bank.
For this, we were crowned laureates of the 2nd edition of the VDK Grand Prix. Of the 5 most accessible and inclusive organizations at the Gentse Feesten 2024, we were unanimously chosen by the jury as the winner. This joyful recognition is also featured on our YouTube channel, along with a complete photo report of our exceptional 10 days at the Gentse Feesten.
What was so rewarding is that the first six months of the year, we worked tirelessly on preparations for the shows, training for our trainers, animations, interviews, reports, and countless meetings. It all turned out to be worth it.
The most wonderful part of the 10 days at the Gentse Feesten was that the festival served as an example of how inclusive events and inclusive societies can be. It is an example that I, along with the entire team, am incredibly proud of, and I am deeply thankful to everyone who believed in us.
With nothing but a positive outlook, we are already looking forward to the 2025 edition, where we will once again give our 100% to provide an inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Image Description
Photo 1: Atmosphere photo of Accessibility Ghent together with the G-salsa girls
Photo 2: #danceisblind on the grand stage at the Korenmarkt
Photo 3: Nadine Pollet (retinitis pigmentosa) dances bachata during the bachata workshop
Photo 4: The entire son group is present to support the “son” dance workshop (alternating outfits in red and blue)
Photo 5: Salsa for the deaf and hard of hearing is highlighted by the regional TV station AVS
Photo 6: Flyer of the quickstep workshop with logos of the partners: City of Ghent, King Baudouin Foundation, Trefpunt, Sport Vlaanderen, and our own logos
Photo 7: Flyer of the salsa workshop for the deaf and hard of hearing with logos of the partners: City of Ghent, King Baudouin Foundation, Trefpunt, Sport Vlaanderen, and our own logos
