In recent years there have been calls for more pathways to the profession and means to progress in dance for young people with disabilities. A number of organisations have begun to respond to these calls and are considering how to provide more inclusive dance education. These organisations include Stopgap Dance Company, who we are working with to evaluate their new IRIS programme (for more details, see Evaluating Stopgap Dance Company's IRIS programme) and more recently the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD).

The ISTD are keen to make their work more accessible and have embarked on a project to translate three of their syllabi (ballet, modern, and a dancesport genre) for dancers with disabilities. In this action research project, three teachers with existing mixed ability group will be matched with three inclusive dance specialists, and the process will be documented and analysed by Dr Imogen Aujla over two terms. The findings will be used to enhance pathways into dance for young dancers with disabilities, increase accessibility to private dance studios, and advocate for further teacher training opportunities in this area.

The findings were launched at an event in February 2019 attended by over 100 delegates. The day included research presentations, practical demonstrations, workshops, panel discussions, and a celebratory performance.

Download the research report by Dr Imogen Aujla, Accessing Pathways to Training for Young Disabled Dancers - PDF 1.5 MB

Photo by Rachel Cherry.