An exploration of how inclusive practice is realised through community dance and professional performance

Abstract

People with disabilities are marginalised within society and labelled as being different from the norm due to physical appearance (Gould, 2002). The study explores what is inclusive practice and how it is realised through community dance and professional performance. To gain an insight into how inclusive practice is realised, a qualitative study, exploratory in nature has been carried out. Two organisations and personnel were purposefully selected, the Mentoring, Training and Development Officer from Rubicon Dance and the Head of Learning and Development from CandoCo Dance Company. One participant completed a semi structured interview and the other a questionnaire due to geographical location, both tailored to their organisation. The data collected and presented accordingly drew upon three areas that provided a theoretical underpinning and framework for the majority of the study; inclusion and integration, perception and accessibility. Further consideration was made of the underlying principles and policies selected by each organisation to inform their practice. The study found that there is still a confusion of dance terminology regarding the terms integration and inclusion and perception of the body still affects access for people with disabilities. The main issue preventing disability being common place in professional performance is training. Professional performance does share common place with community dance; highlighted through the appropriateness of providing separate learning opportunities for people with disabilities as well as integrated practice is recognised, therefore exclusive and inclusive practice has a place.