The main objective of THEAvios was to empower theatre professionals and adult educators to develop and implement more inclusive and accessible artistic practices, particularly for working with blind and visually impaired participants. The project aimed to raise awareness of existing barriers in the performing arts, introduce concrete tools and pedagogical strategies for inclusion, and build the confidence of professionals to engage with disability in creative ways. Specifically, the project sought to: (1) map needs and gaps in inclusive theatre practice, (2) identify and promote good practices and tools across Europe, (3) co-create an inclusive Training Guide for use in theatre education and rehearsal contexts, (4) test and validate this guide through real-life piloting workshops, and (5) share results widely to foster lasting change in cultural and educational settings. THEAvios ultimately aimed to contribute to more equitable participation in cultural life by supporting those who create, facilitate and lead inclusive theatre work.
THEAvios (www.theavios.eu) was initiated to address the exclusion and underrepresentation of blind and visually impaired adults in the field of theatre and performing arts. Despite increasing attention to accessibility, most theatrical productions remain largely inaccessible to performers with vision disabilities. The project responded to this gap by supporting theatre professionals and adult educators with inclusive methodologies, tools and strategies that enable them to work more effectively and confidently with blind and visually impaired participants. Rather than focusing on training blind individuals directly, THEAvios aimed to transform the practices of those who design, direct and deliver theatrical activities. It addressed barriers such as lack of awareness, inaccessible rehearsal environments, absence of adapted pedagogies, and limited visibility of blind artists. The project was designed to foster long-term change in how cultural professionals approach inclusion, while promoting more equitable participation in the creative process.