Release Date: Wednesday – March 5, 2025
Archive, Bios, Description, Transcripts for Episode 139: Omnium Circus Creates a Show for Everyone
Guest: Lisa Lewis – Founder & Executive Director, Omnium Circus
Moderator & Host: Barry Whaley, Project Director at the Southeast ADA Center
Recording: adalive.org/episodes/episode-139
Disclaimer: Accessibility cannot be guaranteed for external websites. The Southeast ADA Center provides these resources as a courtesy and does not endorse, take responsibility for, exercise control of the organization, or monitor its website content.
Contents
- About Omnium Circus
- ADA Live Podcasts and Resources on Accessible Events
- ADA Accessibility and the Arts
- Kennedy Center for the Arts Accessibility Resources
- Planning Accessible Conferences and Events
About Omnium Circus
- Lisa B. Lewis
Founder and Executive Director, Omnium Circus
Contact Form and Information
Form: omniumcircus.org/contact
Website: omniumcircus.org
Email: info@omniumcircus.org - Virtual and In-Person Education Programs
Inclusive programs created for schools, camps and communities.
Link: omniumcircus.org/virtual-show - Video: Omnium Circus Reimagines the Circus for Everyone [7:36 minutes, captioned]
Source: WETA PBS YouTube Channel
Link: youtube.com/watch?v=qrv9SDczYKU - Virtual Show: Omnium Circus Presents: A Celebration of Diversity
Watch a virtual (online) performance of the Omnium Circus – A family-friendly spectacular featuring generations of multi-talented, multi-abled and culturally diverse performers that provides a truly one-of-a-kind, amazing experience for all audiences. At the time of broadcast, audience members may select their preferred experience: Typical/American Sign Language Video, Plain Language Video, Audio Description, or Spanish Language Video. All shows are captioned. Cost: $25.00 per ticket. Time: Approximately one hour.
Link: omniumcircus.org/virtual-show - Omnium Circus Tour Schedule
Link: omniumcircus.org/events
All Omnium Circus Performances Include:
- Audio Description
- Tactile Experiences
- Integrated American Sign Language (ASL)
- Assisted Listening Devices
- Closed Captions (wherever possible)
- Relaxed Performances – All forms of self-expression are welcome!
- Calming Area in Lobby
- ADA Seating
- Group Ticket Rates Available
ADA Live Podcasts and Resources on Accessible Events
You can access all ADA Live! episodes with archived audio, accessible transcripts, and resources at ADAlive.org. Most episode transcripts are also available in Spanish. (Transcripciones de los episodios en español.) Listen on the SoundCloud ADA Live! channel at soundcloud.com/adalive.
- Episode 138: The 2025 National ADA Symposium and Accessible Event Planning | Episode 138 Resources
Episodes 137 and 138 use the same list of resources.
Podcast: adalive.org/episodes/episode-138/
Resources: adalive.org/resources/episode-138-resources/ - Episode 137: Celebrate 35 Years of Progress at the 2025 National ADA Symposium | Episode 137 Resources
Episodes 137 and 138 use the same list of resources.
Podcast: adalive.org/episodes/episode-137/
Resources: adalive.org/resources/episode-138-resources/
ADA Accessibility and the Arts
- Arts and Recreation (Arts-N-Rec) Webinar Series
An archived webinar series hosted by the ADA National Network.
Link: accessibilityonline.org/arts-n-rec.aspx - International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP)
Omnium Circus belongs to this association.
Link: accessibilityassociation.org/s - Accessibility and the Arts
Source: National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Link: arts.gov/impact/accessibility - Challenging Notions: Accessibility and the Arts
Source: National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Link: arts.gov/stories/magazine/2015/1/challenging-notions-accessibility-and-arts - Frist Art Museum Accessibility
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the Frist Art Museum is committed to accessibility and is an example of ADA best practices.
Link: fristartmuseum.org/accessibility
Kennedy Center for the Arts Accessibility Resources
- Kennedy Center Office of Accessibility
Email: access@kennedy-center.org
Link: kennedy-center.org/visit/accessibility - Access/VSA International Network
Link: kennedy-center.org/education/networks-conferences-and-research/networks-and-strategic-leadership/vsa-international-network - Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD)
Link: kennedy-center.org/education/networks-conferences-and-research/conferences-and-events/lead-conference - LEAD Cultural Access Group
This e-mail listserv group for the arts community is focused on ADA and accessibility issues. For more information and to join the listserv, contact the Kennedy Center at vsainfo@kennedy-center.org. - VSA Playwright Discovery Program
Link: kennedy-center.org/education/opportunities-for-artists/competitions-and-commissions/access-vsa-playwright-discovery-program - VSA International Young Musicians Award Program
Link: kennedy-center.org/education/opportunities-for-artists/competitions-and-commissions/vsa-international-young-musicians - VSA Emerging Young Artists Program
Link: kennedy-center.org/education/opportunities-for-artists/competitions-and-commissions/vsa-emerging-young-artists - Office of Accessibility and VSA
Link: kennedy-center.org/education/vsa
Planning Accessible Conferences and Events
- Accessible Meetings, Events & Conferences Guide
Link: adainfo.org/hospitality/accessible-meetings-events-conferences-guide - Event Accessibility Considerations
Source: Disability Belongs
Link: respectability.org/resources/events - Accessible Event Resource Guide Checklist
Source: University of Chicago
Link: equalopportunityprograms.uchicago.edu/accessibility/event-checklist - WebAIM Tips for PowerPoint Accessibility
Source: WebAIM
Link: webaim.org/techniques/powerpoint - Create Accessible PowerPoint Presentations
Source: University of Washington
Link: washington.edu/accesstech/documents/powerpoint - AI-Media for Qualified ASL Interpreters and Captioners
Contact: Cassie Wellman, Premium Events Manager
Phone: 800-335-0911, ext. 712
Email: cassie.wellman@ai-media.tv
Link: ai-media.tv - BrailleWorks for Braille, Large Print, Audio
Phone: 813-654-4050
Email: info@brailleworks.com
Link: brailleworks.com - A Planning Guide for Making Temporary Events Accessible to People with Disabilities (PDF)
Link: adata.org/publication/temporary-events-guide - ADA & Hospitality Initiative
This national initiative promotes accessibility and best practices for people with disabilities within the hospitality industry. Materials and services are also designed to assist lodging and food service employers to recruit, hire, and retain qualified workers with disabilities.
Link: adainfo.org/hospitality - ADA & Hospitality Initiative Training Materials
These materials can be used by individuals or groups, including an accessible PowerPoint, handouts, video, factsheets, and more in English and Spanish.
Link: adainfo.org/hospitality/training - 2025 At Your Service: Welcoming Customers with Disabilities
Revised in January 2025, this self-paced web course explains how to provide good customer service to people with disabilities. (Cost: $5.00)
Link: bit.ly/at-your-service-course - ADA Live! Podcast Episode 96: Accessible Inclusive Virtual Meetings and the ADA | Episode 96 Resources
Podcast: adalive.org/episodes/episode-96
Resources: adalive.org/resources/episode-96-resources - ADA Live! Podcasts and Resource Lists on Recreation and Hospitality
Link: adasoutheast.org/links-by-topic/#recreation - ADA Quick Tips – Tax Incentives
Tax incentives are available to encourage ADA compliance.
Link: adata.org/factsheet/quicktips-tax - What funding assistance is available for removing barriers and accommodating customers with disabilities?
Link: adata.org/faq/what-funding-assistance-available-removing-barriers-and-accommodating- customers-disabilities - What Types of Services Can the ADA National Network Offer You?
Link: adata.org/factsheet/ADANNservices - Open Doors Organization (ODO)
Educates travel and tourism businesses worldwide about the rights and needs of travelers with disabilities through educational seminars, diversity programs, market research, and training events.
Link: opendoorsnfp.org
Email: info@opendoorsnfp.org
Phone: 1-773-388-8839 - ODO Training Academy
Online training portal with registration required, costs vary.
Link: opendoorsnfp.org/training - ODO Resources for Business
Link: opendoorsnfp.org/business - ODO Resources for Consumers
Link: opendoorsnfp.org/consumers