Barrier-Free Theatre: Including Everyone in Theatre Arts- in Schools, Recreation, and Arts Programs-- Regardless of (Dis)ability

Barrier-Free Theatre is a nuts-and-bolts, hands-on, comprehensive guide for making drama accessible to children and adults with disabilities.Why drama? Drama can "level the playing field" and empower participants of all ages. Dramatic interaction creates relationships that last long after a performance is over. Written for drama teachers, recreation leaders, special educators, therapists, and other group leaders, this book explains in simple, non-technical language how to make accommodations for successful participation in creative drama, improvisation, puppetry, rehearsals for traditional plays, and development of new plays geared to participants' strengths. Actors will gain self-confidence, improve their communication skills, find new ways to express themselves, and work more effectively and creatively with others.Ways to use drama as a tool to teach traditional classroom subjects, such as science, social studies, and language arts, are highlighted, as well as using it for inst

Sally Bailey, MFA, MSW, RDT/BCT is associate professor of theater at Kansas State University where she directs the drama therapy program. In her drama therapy practice she has worked extensively with people with disabilities and people recovering from substance abuse. She is the author of Wings to Fly: Bringing Theatre Arts to Students with Special Needs, and Dreams to Sign. She is a past president of the National Association for Drama Therapy and recipient of NADT's 2006 Gertrud Schattner Award, given for distinguished contributions to the field of drama therapy in education, publication, practice, and service.