In February, I was invited to present our activities to the Accessibility Service in Ghent and their regular meeting of experts with disabilities. A month later, we were invited again for a first meeting concerning the accessibility of the Gentse Feesten.
Following these meetings, we share some recent figures. The 2023/2024 school year concluded with a total of 70 G-sport participants, including 24 individuals with visual impairments, spread across the cities of Brussels and Ghent. In addition to individuals with visual impairments, our dance school also welcomes people with intellectual disabilities (this group is exclusive to our school), hearing or physical impairments, autism, chronic fatigue syndrome, and psychological/emotional vulnerabilities.
Observing all our dancers together, it becomes clear that we reflect the diverse society we live in. We aim to make our inclusive operations as accessible as possible for everyone by implementing additional measures. That is why we always provide a special brochure for people with disabilities, emphasizing that all our dance workshops are inclusive, making our classes accessible to a wide audience regardless of any physical limitations.
How?
1. Our group of volunteers is ready to provide the necessary support safely during the workshops.
2. Years of experience with our unique teaching methodology ensure that the didactics are clear and structured for all participants.
3. We use dance tools for the blind and visually impaired, as well as auditory adjustments for the deaf and hard of hearing.
4. Your target group becomes a part of our dance DNA.
5. We prepare for your wheelchair accessibility, visual or other physical limitations through a personal conversation and introduction.
Before COVID-19, the dance school had over 700 members. After the pandemic, the number dropped by more than half, partly due to the new direction the school has taken. Expanding our welcome to people with disabilities also meant losing some members. But at all levels, inclusion is the new path, and we as a dance school are very happy to be part of it.
With the city of Ghent as a pioneer in accessibility and the appointment of two accessibility officers, efforts are made daily to improve the quality of life for all residents.
The recent opening ceremony of the Paralympics also clearly reflects the changing world we live in.
During the introduction, President Macron (France) spoke about the essence of inclusion, followed by an impressive performance by "Christine & The Queens" (for those who didn’t see it, an incredible dance choreography with non-disabled dancers on the right and dancers with disabilities on the left, all dancing together at the end). This underscores society's commitment to bringing about change.
The importance of inclusion as added value for humanity cannot be overlooked and cannot be emphasized enough.
On July 18, 2024, we were invited to a press event in Baudelopark, where the city aimed to highlight the vision of "inclusion."
An article appeared in HLN Regionaal with the title: From dance lessons for the blind to Het Zesde Metaal with a sign language interpreter: this is how the Gentse Feesten are becoming more accessible.
Gentse Feesten: The Gentse Feesten are for everyone.
It is a beautiful principle, but it is certainly not an empty slogan. Considerable efforts are made to make the events as comfortable as possible for everyone, including those with mobility, hearing, or visual impairments. This year, 21 activities are fully accessible, and efforts have also been made for the others, according to Alderman for Festivities Bram Van Braeckeveldt (Groen).
Now that the Gentse Feesten are over, Ghent has certainly delivered on its promise.
Photo 1: Photo of the article in HLN
Photo 2: From left to right: Alderman Astrid De Bruycker (Welfare), Bart Vermandere (Accessibility), Michèle Martens (DanceOrientation), Alderman Bram Van Braeckeveldt (Festivities), Jan Hozée (Trefpunt)
Photo 3: Jade De Baere (OCMW Ghent), Alderman Astrid De Bruycker (Welfare), Bart Vermandere (Accessibility), Michèle Martens (DanceOrientation), Steven Pauwels (Accessibility), Alderman Bram Van Braeckeveldt (Festivities), Jan Hozée (Trefpunt)
Photo 4: Accessibility Sounding Board Group in Ghent with accessibility officers Bart Vermandere, Ricke Jacobs, Herman Caulier (Blindenzorg Licht en Liefde), Pierre Corin (Vebes), a delegation from the deaf community, a delegation for Parkinson’s disease, …
Photo 5: Flyer for the Son workshop featuring the following dance couples from left to right: Laure and Lee, Rik and Annelien, Youri and Jeanne, Manuel and Michèle, logos of Sport Vlaanderen, King Baudouin Foundation, City of Ghent, Trefpunt vzw, and DanceOrientation’s logo.