A Message from the Chairman - Spring 2006

“The major issue is accessibility with dignity. It is not enough to get into the building any old way. I like to get into the building at the front like everybody else, where the rest of society gets in.” — Itzhak Perlman, violinist

John McEwen Dear Friends: Happy Spring!

On behalf of the members of the Cultural Access Network, I am happy to welcome you to another issue of Cultural Access News. Highlights of this issue include information on the wonderful accessible programs being offered at our state’s cultural venues, transportation tips to assist organizations on the transportation resources available to people with disabilities and the elderly, and the funding challenges facing one of our nation’s greatest cultural treasures, The National Theatre of the Deaf.

This year the Cultural Access Network has been busy reviewing the findings of our year-long series of focus groups and surveys as part of our collaboration with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Wallace Foundation. As a result of this collaboration, the Cultural Access Network learned that an accessible and easy to use website was needed to inform those with disabilities the accessible features of our state’s cultural venues as well as accessible programs and services offered. For the past couple of moths, the Cultural Access Network has been working with Sean Hennesy in the design of a cultural website that will not only be a resource for the public, but will serve the state’s cultural community as they move forward in their arts access plans. Role model ADA plans lists of resources, current and past issues of Cultural Access News and much more will be available. The site will be tested in the summer, 2006 and expected to go live in September, 2007. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting project. Since the Cultural Access Network is moving towards serving as a resource for the public as well as the cultural community, as of July, 2006 the Cultural Access Network will be re-named The Cultural Access Network of New Jersey.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Robert Carr, Manager of Programs and Services at the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and all the members of the Cultural Access Network for the time, energy, commitment and dedication they provide for all of the Cultural Access Network activities. I also want to thank New Jersey’s cultural organizations for the great strides they make each day to welcoming all audiences and visitors to their venues. In addition, we are grateful to the guidance and support of professionals that work with those who are Deaf, people with disabilities and the elderly, as well as the patrons who utilize the access services at our state’s cultural venues.

We are proud to live in a state that has a rich and diverse cultural community, as well as a State Arts Council who is dedicated to ensuring that all citizens and visitors can enjoy our state’s cultural treasures with dignity and independence.

Best wishes for a safe, happy and healthy summer.

Sincerely, John McEwen's Signature John McEwen

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The Cultural Access Network is a co-sponsored project of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.