Adaptive Dance
Louisville Ballet believes that dance is for everyBODY. It is our mission to provide high quality dance education and training that is accessible to ALL. Our Adaptive Dance Programs serve participants with a wide variety of physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities or differences. We provide in-school residencies, performance opportunities, after-school classes, specialized movement programs and audience engagement initiatives to best serve each partner’s needs.
Louisville Ballet’s commitment to providing the highest quality dance education to participants extends to our Adaptive Dance Programs. Our Teaching Artists participate in annual professional development opportunities to ensure we are building program curriculum that supports up-to-date adaptive practices for the dance classroom.
Through our Adaptive Programs, we serve participants who may be deaf or blind, have hearing and / or vision loss, participants with Down Syndrome, those who have autism or identify as neurodivergent, participants who use wheelchairs or walking aids, as well as Seniors who may or may not have limited mobility.
Louisville Ballet’s Adaptive Dance programs serve participants as young as three years old through senior citizens, creating a life cycle of dance to benefit all ages. From the theater to the studio, we work to ensure our programs are engaging and accommodating for all.
“We love the Louisville Ballet. It has helped my daughter talk more through movement. They have also helped her find something she enjoys: dance class. We now have her enrolled in a dance program!” – Parent of student from Heuser Hearing and Language Academy
GENTLE MOVEMENT FOR SENIORS
Gentle Movement, a movement class designed by Louisville Ballet staff, serves the aging population and adults with movement disorders in the Louisville community. This program encourages lifelong learning and promotes healthy habits through movement, exercise, and social activity. Classes are tailored to support participants with limited mobility and other physical or cognitive disorders. Content explores basic and gentle ballet concepts with a focus on flexibility and strength training. Weekly classes operate at ElderServe Senior Center and The Altenheim Senior Living and Care Community.
Louisville Ballet is excited to announce a new pilot program with Norton Neuroscience Institute and Bellarmine University, designed for adults with movement disorders.
SENSORY FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES
In collaboration with several community partners, Louisville Ballet has made appropriate accommodations to select performances and the theater going experience to make individuals with sensory sensitivities and disabilities feel welcome.
ADAPTIVE DANCE PROGRAMS AND PARTNERS
Heuser Hearing and Language Academy
Vision Interventions and Parental Support
Down Syndrome of Louisville
Dreams With Wings
Summit Academy
Home of the Innocents
Berrytown Community Center
ElderServe Senior Center
The Altenheim Senior Living and Care Community
Ahren’s Educational Resource Center
Norton Neuroscience Institute
Bellarmine University
FEAT of Louisville
Please contact Louisville Ballet’s Chief Development Officer at [email protected] for more information about program sponsorship.