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By : Abilities Dance Boston
4 min read
Abilities Dance Boston seeks to disrupt antiquated ableist beliefs and disseminate the value of intersectional disability rights in Greater Boston and beyond. Our organizational goals are to build a better Boston by thinking of intersectional equity through a disabled lens. We realize there is no such thing as a hierarchy of oppression, and that all forms of discrimination must be eliminated to work towards a truly equitable future. This foundation has inspired our Intersections Series, V2. This show was created by Founder, Executive Director, and Artistic Director Ellice Patterson and Director of Music, Andrew Choe, who both identify as disabled, neurodivergent, and QTBIPOC. Patterson especially felt that disability work can be really white and racial equity work can be ableist, leaving out those who identify as both. This show honors people living at said intersections, past and present, while interviewing them and researching their journeys to bring it all to life on stage. This production truly showcases what advocacy in the arts is when disabled folks are in positions of leadership to create their own and others' stories. We also partner with the Disability Policy Consortium to highlight current bills that are on the state floor and work to match these bills to the honorees' life journeys and humanize these bills. We hope that with a deeper intersectional disability cultural competency, the audience will take away that not only can they advocate for more access in their communities, but with their legislators to get these bills passed. In an effort to be as accessible as possible, Abilities Dance Boston provides unlimited free tickets for live and live streamed audiences who can't afford to see our work, including that of the deaf and disabled community. Accessibility is important to us—and to all who want to see our work.
—Abilities Dance Boston
Originally published in-print in Boston Compass Newspaper #155 March 2023
Check out all the art and columns of March's Boston Compass at www.issuu.com/bostoncccompass
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