ACCESSIBILITY PLAN

It is the policy of the Transcend Choral & Community Music Foundation and its choral ensembles (hereafter, “TRANScend”) to welcome artists, volunteers and audience members of all abilities to take part in its programs and activities.  The following Accessibility Plan was approved by TRANScend Board of Directors on August 1, 2023.

This plan shall be in effect until future amendments are made. A copy of TRANScend’s Accessibility Plan shall be distributed to all performers in the Member Guidelines.  

POLICIES

1. TRANScend shall post its Accessibility Plan on its website and shall periodically provide information regarding accessibility accommodations in concert programs and email newsletters. 

2. TRANScend shall advocate for inclusive accessibility policies and measures at all performance and rehearsal venues with which it does business.  

3. TRANScend is committed to providing individuals with disabilities with an equal opportunity to participate in, benefit from, and volunteer for or be employed by a choral organization. 

• An individual with a disability is someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such impairment, or a person who is regarded as having such an impairment.

4. TRANScend shall reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Special arrangements shall be made on an as-needed basis to ensure that this policy goal is met.

5. TRANScend shall not discriminate on the basis of disability against individuals who desire to become members of its performing ensemble, Board of Directors, staff, volunteer force, or any subcommittees of these groups

6. Qualified individuals with disabilities shall be provided an equal opportunity to audition or interview for, participate in or benefit from the full range of volunteer and employment opportunities provided by TRANScend. 

• A qualified individual is someone who meets the definition of a person with a disability under the ADA and meets the legitimate skill, experience, education, or other requirements of an employment or volunteer position that they hold or seek and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. 

• A reasonable accommodation is any modification or adjustment to the work environment that shall enable a qualified person with a disability to participate in the job application process or to perform essential job functions provided that the accommodation does not create an undue hardship.

7. General accessibility concerns should be directed to the organization’s Executive Director or Administrative Assistants at director@tccmf.org; accessibility concerns for members of the Community Chorale may also reach out to the TRANScend Member Elective Committee at tmbre@transcendsings.org.  

FACILITIES

TRANScend owns no real estate; as such, TRANScend does not own any of its rehearsal, regular meeting or performance spaces. Therefore:

1. For New York City concerts, rehearsals, and meetings, TRANScend will make reasonable efforts to ensure that the spaces we use are accessible and comfortable for people with physical disabilities. Physical accessibility shall include entrance, seating, common and restroom areas.  

2. Outside of New York City, TRANScend shall make reasonable efforts to ensure our performances are held in accessible spaces by screening prospective concert venues for their ability to comfortably and respectfully accommodate people of varying physical abilities. 

• Screening activities may include but are not limited to consulting the venue website or publicity materials for ADA compliance, speaking with venue or booking representatives at private venues to determine accessibility challenges, and assessing venue locations or images of venue locations for potential challenges.

PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES

Audience Members

1. TRANScend shall educate its staff and volunteers on best practices for welcoming and providing hospitality and assistance to persons with disabilities, including those in wheelchairs, using walkers, or with other mobility concerns.

2. Upon request with two weeks' notice, TRANScend shall make its printed information (concert programs, etc.) available in alternate/large format. 

3. Program texts and translations shall be provided online when there is no physical program.

4. Designated seating shall be provided, if requested in advance. 

5. TRANScend shall ensure that venues have a first-aid emergency kit available at self-sponsored performances and rehearsals.

Ensemble Members & Volunteers

1. TRANScend is cognizant of the need for performers and volunteers to take public transportation to rehearsals and events, and shall strive to hold rehearsals and performances at times and in venues that are accessible by safe public transportation. 

2. For performances outside the New York City metropolitan area, TRANScend shall strive to provide accessible transportation for performers.

3. TRANScend shall provide seating for performers who are unable to stand for extended periods of time during performances. Members of TRANScend who require additional reasonable accommodations to perform with TRANScend shall be accommodated. Such requests shall be made with reasonable notice (typically two weeks) prior to the performance. 

4. TRANScend recognizes that members may have conflicts with the rehearsal and performance schedules due to religious observance. These conflicts will be accommodated; however, reasonable notice (two weeks prior) should be given to the Artistic Director so that the ensemble may make appropriate arrangements for their absence.

LIMITATIONS

1. TRANScend is composed of two ensembles, the Community Chorale and the Ambassadors. While the Community Chorale is open to everyone and performs solely in New York City, the Ambassadors are an auditioned, traveling ensemble. 

2. All qualified individuals are invited to audition, however, not all individuals that audition are invited to participate in the ensemble. The invitation to participate is based on the vocal and performance ability of the individual, as well as the needs of the ensemble.

3. The Ambassadors perform in a variety of settings to a variety of audiences. While TRANScend shall advocate with venues for the broadest accommodations possible, the travel and/or physical settings in which the Ambassadors perform may limit participation by individuals with disabilities or limit the benefits individuals with disabilities may receive from the performances of the ensemble. Inability to perform because of these limitations shall never adversely effect members of the ensemble. 

4. From time to time, the Ambassadors perform in historic structures with limited physical access. To the extent possible, reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities. 

• Reasonable accommodations for attendees may include reserving accessible seating for individuals with disabilities, permit service animals at performances and provide alternative formats for programs, when requests are made with reasonable notice prior to the performance. 

• For ensemble members with disabilities, TRANScend will endeavor to negotiate alternative access or other accommodations where adjustments may be reasonably made. TRANScend will negotiate with venues prior to bookings to determine what accommodations may be available and will take these issues into consideration when booking performances that are not self-produced. Inability to perform because of these limitations shall never adversely effect members of the ensemble. 

5. Where time and resources permit, TRANScend endeavors to collaborate with our chosen venues to remotely stream performances to ensure that our concerts are available to everyone.