Let's talk about cake.
You wouldn’t bake a cake and remember the butter at the end. But that’s exactly what happens when access is tacked on after everything else has been planned. That’s when it feels too expensive, too confusing, and too last-minute to be meaningful.
This week, we’re shifting our mindset: instead of thinking of access as an add-on, we’re learning how to build it into the recipe from the beginning. That’s what a solid access action plan does—it brings your mission, community, and goals together into one clear and practical plan.
What are 3 principles that make a good plan?
Watch this 3 minute video with access coach, Rachel sharing what goes into making a strong access action plan.
The 6 Core Principles of a Strong Access Action Plan
- Start with values
Your plan needs to start with your ‘why’. Start with a clear statement that shows how access fits into your organization’s overall mission. It shows your community that you’ve thought about access not only as a compliance issue, but as part of your purpose. This will also help inform decisions in the rest of your plan.
- Set Clear Goals
Set specific goals based on the resources you have and, your community needs. Look back at your access audit—what’s working? What’s not working? Choose one or two things you can realistically focus on this year.
- Know What’s Feasible
Do some research. What does ASL interpretation actually cost? How much would it cost to bring that artist you’re thinking of presenting? How much is it install a ramp? This helps you budget with real numbers, not guesswork.
- Build in Buffers
Things change. People cancel. Access needs room to pivot and evolve. So build in extra time where you can, and a plan B. That’s not anticipating failure—that’s good planning.
- Community Input
As our motto goes: “Nothing about us without us.”Ask artists and audiences what they need. Send out a survey, talk to people. Share your plan and invite feedback. This helps you create a plan that’s grounded in lived experience—not assumptions.
- Make It Public
Once you’ve got your plan, share it. Put a public version on your website or social media. And make sure it’s enacted—by adding it to internal docs, onboarding processes, and team training so its part of every conversation.
Step 1: Brainstorm
Write down your responses to the following two questions. Your ideas will be the "butter" that goes into your Access Action Plan.
- Have you thought about a Deaf or Disabled artist you might want to present in your next show/program/festival? Who and how will you reach out to them?
- What are your overall access goals? Go back to your Access Snapshot from Lesson #2 to help guide your thinking!
Tip: If you're having a hard time thinking of artists, check out our tour-ready catalogue!
Step 2: Build your plan
Download our Access Action Plan Template to help guide you through the steps of building your own access plan. Think of it as a supportive tool—not a one-size-fits-all solution. Your plan should reflect your unique goals and context.
Included in the download is a Budget Template and Access Cost Guide to help you budget effectively. You’ve got $10,000 to work with—how will you allocate it? This budget will form a core part of your final Access Action Plan submission.
Creative Connector
Step 3: Get Feedback From Your Peers
Take a few weeks to do some research and refine your Access Action Plan. In September, come prepared to share your plan with the cohort and get feedback.
