Ability Visible

Context

This project was developed in collaboration with Visability Society Sri Lanka to empower individuals with vision impairments through inclusive choreographic practices. It focused on creating a dance experience that was accessible and meaningful for visually impaired participants, using movement improvisation, audio narration, and collaborative performance.

The choreography was developed with volunteer dancers and designed to be interpreted through sound. High quality studio recordings of narrated movement instructions were played during performances, allowing participants to engage with the dance through auditory visualization. The project emphasized accessibility, inclusion, and creative expression in public spaces.

Methodology

The project used improvisational movement techniques, audio based choreography, and collaborative workshops. Participants with vision impairments were invited to interpret and respond to narrated movements, culminating in a public performance. The approach fostered sensory engagement, embodied interpretation, and community participation.

Objectives

Accessibility in Dance:

To create an inclusive choreographic experience for individuals with vision impairments using audio narration and improvisation.

Public Interaction

To present inclusive performances in public spaces, raising awareness about disability and accessibility in the arts.

Collaborative Contributions

Department of Fine Arts, University Of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

Milinda Thennakoon, Dulanga Gunaratne

Production

Visability Society Sri Lanka, Mahesh Umagiliya

Dance Collaborators

Dhanushka Seneviratne,

M.D.P. Nishani, Kaushalya Ranashingha,

Pushpika Dissanayaka,

Collaborative Creation

To develop choreography in partnership with volunteer dancers and community members, promoting shared ownership and artistic dialogue.

Cross-cultural Exchange

To connect practices and perspectives from Sri Lanka and the UK, fostering international collaboration in inclusive arts.

Direction & choreography

Dhanushka Seneviratne

Empowerment Through Movement

To encourage self expression, confidence, and creativity among disabled participants through embodied exploration.

Music Composition & Cheloiest

Hirunika Rajapaksha

Outputs

Inclusive Dance Workshops:

Conducted movement improvisation sessions with visually impaired participants and volunteer dancers, focusing on sensory interpretation and embodied expression.

Audio Narrated Choreography:

Produced high quality studio recordings of narrated movement instructions, used during performances via stereo sound systems and headphones to guide participants through the choreography.

Public Performance:

Presented a five minute choreographic piece developed during the workshops in a selected public space, engaging both participants and audiences in an inclusive artistic experience.

Dance Film Creation:

Created a dance film capturing the choreographic process and performance, highlighting the collaboration between visually impaired participants and volunteer dancers. The film serves as both a creative output and a documentation of inclusive practice.