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Eye on Accessibility and Internships!
Accessibility
Making sure your organization and activities are accessible goes beyond
ramps and interpreters. Does the language you use show that you are welcoming
to people of all abilities? A basic place to start is making sure all your
staff uses “People First” language: identify the person first,
then the disability. For instance –
• Say “Person who is deaf (or has a hearing impairment),”
not “Deaf person”
• Say “People with disabilities,” not “the handicapped,”
“the disabled,” “the blind,” “the deaf,”
etc.
• Say “Person who uses a wheelchair,” not “wheelchair-bound”
• Never use terms like “crippled,” “deaf and dumb,”
“retarded,” etc.
Find more information about language use and etiquette in the Accessibility
Guides section under “Publications & Resources” by clicking
here.
Internships!
As the end of the school year nears, college students are in the midst of seeking summer internships. If your cultural organization is seeking an intern, the Iowa Arts Council offers free listings of intern opportunities on its Web site, www.iowaartscouncil.org.
Listings can include opportunities in performing arts venues, cultural arts groups and event planning organizations.
Contact IAC’s Sarah Ekstrand at 515-281-4657 or
sarah.ekstrand@iowa.gov to submit information, which should include
the organization’s name; contact person; beginning and end dates of
internship; hours per day, week or month; whether the position is paid or
unpaid; a job description and other applicable information.
