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The Online special developed by

Keith Mckenzie with Plus Value Awareness

Presented theme: Open Mind

For Autism Dance Day, International Dance Day and beyond

Everyone

Everyone should be able to have the freedom to dance it is expressive, active and a lot more. For some, dancing can be very therapeutic and can add positive energy. 

It does matter if you are at a music concert, festival, a party or involved with dancing as an activity or as an ambition.

Must not leave anyone out

In addition, we must include hidden differences (Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Social Anxiety) to be able to dance without barriers. Their difficulties should not be used to prevent or to exclude from dancing and music environments.

Encouragement with patience

With activity and passion-related dancing, we need to make sure that a person with hidden differences is not disadvantaged in classes and workshops. For certain activities, this should apply to parties, festivals and dancing conventions. For example in learning environments (classes & workshops) it can be excessive which not only affects a person's learning but could lead to prejudice and exclusion. It is important to cause shame and embarrassment due to a person's difficulties. How a person is judged by and treated can affect their learning, dancing confidence and social presence. This is not just about understanding a person's difficulties but also about monitoring a person's progress to be aware of scenarios and situations which cannot affect a person's hidden differences in presence. Also adjusting to challenging situations and surroundings could affect a person with hidden differences presence.

Adjustments and Accomodating

To enable this to happen, we need to be accommodating and make reasonable adjustments. This includes not creating situations in which a person with differences is wrongly discouraged and inclusive. 

This means stamping out any kind of discrimination and prejudice including ableism and hatred.

Change how we judge and treat hidden differences

As well as enabling encouragement and support it is also important to prevent and challenge prejudiced, ableism and discriminatory attitudes and behaviours which could affect dancing motivation and social presence of certain people with hidden differences

Summary

Dancing is for everyone and to be inclusive for a person with hidden differences.

Be constantly supportive and encouraging without affecting a person's presence. Be available for support and guidance constantly. Make sure reasonable allowances are made to make sure a person is not compromised due to their difficulties. Embrace a person with hidden differences due to their strengths and attributes.

Events information

Autism Dance Day 

Anna Kennedy Online presents a special annual online and social media event which has existed for the past 13 years since 2011 by the Award-winning awareness campaigner Anna Kennedy OBE. The day demonstrates how dancing is inspiring and can be beneficial for autistic people. This event also showcases talents from the autistic spectrum of all ages and all types of backgrounds.

International Dance Day 

The worldwide annual event has been developed and promoted by the France and China-based organisation "The Dance Committee of ITI (International Theatre Institute)" since 1982.

The 29th of April marks the birthday of iconic modern ballet dancer Jean-Georges Noverne (1727-1810). To celebrate dancing regardless of political culture ethnic and other backgrounds. Reminding everyone that dancing is a universal communication regardless of language and abilities.

Highlights on supporting Autism Dance Day and International Dance Day



Blog: Open mind, patience and encouragement 

An article summary of positive encouragement

Read the article on WordPress

Blog: Ableism in dancing

An article on the project director's personal perspective on the challenges of passionate dancing environments

Read the article on Keith Mckenzie's website

Inclusivity pledge and encouragement 

As part of the project "Includive to Dance" which features a family fo downloadable pledges to improve dancing inclusiveness

Coming Soon

A Special event page on Facebook

Explore on how can improve inclusive dancing

Some information projects which can help make some steps to improve inclusivity.

Inclusive to dance

The information project explores different factors to encourage inclusivity for dancers with neurodiversity, Invisible disabilities and those who experience anxiety.i

Beyond understanding 

The suggestions publications which provide many possibilities for dancers with selected neurodiverse individuals. Availaible to view and download.

Visit the inclusive dancing features to explore especially related dancing inclusivity developments and the project director's dancing-related developments.

The information for this page will change annually with the information transferred to the insight blog after 12 months.

Return to the index page of the Embrace Dancing specially developed by the project director with special projects and developments all year round