Shape's Disability Equality Training (sometimes referred to as Disability Awareness or Disability Confidence Training) is designed to provide arts organisations and professionals with the knowledge and tools required to help build a more diverse, equal and inclusive cultural sector for disabled people as artists, audiences and workers.

In this page you can find:

• An overview of our training and consultancy services
• List of training topics and areas that we cover
• PDF version of our full training prospectus
• Frequently asked questions
• How to contact us about training services

Disability Equality Training with Shape Arts

Delivered in your workplace by expert trainers, our Disability Equality Training is suitable for people working at all levels, and is designed to keep participants engaged and stimulated, gaining insight in the processes into addressing access issues in a variety of areas, as tailored to your business needs. Use it as a stand alone exercise, or as part of a strategic move to becoming more diverse and inclusive. Find out how working to the social model of disability can help to remove barriers to engagement in a variety of ways, promoting positive change.

If you are an Arts Council England funded organisation, we can support you in making your contribution to the Creative Case for diversity.

We work both nationally and internationally with professional disabled trainers who have particular expertise in areas such as venue assessments, disability equality, accessible marketing and events, employment, action planning, equality duties, website and online access, and the Equality Act 2010. 

All training has been designed to be delivered in a way that ensures social distancing requirements can be maintained where required. Virtual training can be delivered and supported by best practice in access and inclusion. Where face-to-face training can be delivered, it will be designed to create an environment in which participants feel safe and comfortable.

Benefits of Training with Shape

• Develop your audience and diversify your income
• Tailor your own training and support package for your organisation
• Gain and demonstrate skills and confidence in addressing access issues
• Learn from real-life case studies chosen for your training session
• Achieve and demonstrate inclusive customer service excellence
• Improve how you work with all diverse groups

Our Disability Equality Training courses include the following areas:

Training FAQs

What can I expect?

Shape provides a certified training programme and access support packages to keep participants engaged and stimulated to gain confidence in addressing access issues. Our training programme is designed to provide regular and ongoing support to organisations of any scale, to ensure they are achieving their goals, and are able to achieve and demonstrate inclusive customer service excellence. We build close relationships with our clients and focus on long-term collaborative action, so that we can work together in building a more inclusive arts and cultural sector.

What happens next?

After you train with Shape, we will work with you to identify any further training or access support you may require to help you develop your audience, diversify your income and improve your overall access, to ensure that everyone will be able to access your facilities and activities safely, comfortably and confidently. This may include providing a rolling programme of annual training services, inclusion action planning, telephone advice surgeries, email support and access consultancy.

Shape trainer profiles

Looking for more information about the training team and what they can offer?

Learn about each of our trainers

What will the training cover?

To make sure your staff receive training in the areas most relevant to them, training may include:

• Equality Training
• Disability Equality
• Neurodiversity 101
• Working with Disabled Staff and Volunteers
• Accessible Events Management
• Audience Development Training
• Achieving Customer Service Excellence
  
  ….or a combination of all of the above, plus access or equality related inspired issues that you talk to us about during the initial consultation. Your Shape trainer will contact you directly to discuss the content, schedule and any specific requirements. We’re always happy to discuss any options or ideas you may have about delivery and content.

How long are the training sessions?

We always recommend one full day (up to 7 hours) for each training module, particularly if you are new to the subject. We occasionally do half days (up to 3.5 hours) but these are generally best for refresher sessions only. Training generally runs from 10am. Timings are flexible and are usually agreed betweenyou and your Shape contact. Where possible, we also provide training on weekends and in the evenings ifrequired (where and when a trainer is available).

Wanting more information?

Find out what our clients are saying about Shape Training. Much of our work is done in partnership with Nick Goss Consultancy Ltd (NGL). NGL trainers are ISO 9001 Quality Assured and CPD accredited.

We also deliver training for overseas organisations. For all enquiries please contact: [email protected]

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