Shape

Shape is a disability-led arts organisation which for over 30 years has been working to improve access to the arts and culture for disabled people. Two of our aims are:
1) To see more disabled people employed in and leading the arts
2) To see more disabled people participating in arts activities

Programmes to meet these aims include:
• Creative Steps - employment support and job brokerage to 750 disabled adults (aged 25-60+) wanting to work in the Creative Industries.
• Shape Training, providing disability equality training and access consultancy to arts organisations through in-house training services, and access audits.

Shape works with disabled people of all ages, but we specifically offer a programme of work for young disabled people up to the age of 25:
- Big Lottery Funded (BLF) ‘Articulate’, a 3-day event which uses creative techniques to explore training and employment routes for young learning disabled people, and support for education & learning providers on accessible employment practice
-‘Read Aloud’, a literacy project engaging disabled and non-disabled young people in 2 London Boroughs, in partnership with The Reader Organisation.