Accessible Arts Program

The Accessible Arts Program is housed on the campus of the Kansas School for the Blind.

MISSION: To foster creativity and provide educational opportunities for people with disabilities while hosting an inclusive environment for all to engage, explore and enjoy the arts.
CREATIVITY: To form mental or physical images that are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others.
INCLUSIVITY: An inclusive community that is responsive and accessible providing all the arts, to all the people, all the time.
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES: Classrooms with art based curriculum, resourceful instructors and adaptations for people of all abilities.
Creating art in accessible format is not only tactual and fun but also beautiful. A group of volunteers provides art activities for students on campus. In addition, they create tactual bulletin boards in the academic building throughout the year. The artwork presented was created by students who have a visual impairment. Enjoy the art and the tactual bulletin boards created for students at KSSB.

Man Pointing

Origami Diorama

A student’s impression of the sculpture created by Alberto Giacometti called the “Man Pointing”. The student formed the sculpture to show a man using a cane.

a thin paper mache sculpture painted in gold, using a cane.

The image below is of a cardboard box diorama with many yellow origami cranes hung from top of by clear string to create the look of a flock of birds in flight. Several origami flowers created with light green, navy blue, bright red and bright yellow paper and placed lightly on top of green paper cut into strips to create a grass look on the bottom of the box.

Origami diorama of flowers, grass and cranes.

Replica Cranmer Abacus

The image on the left is of a Cranmer abacus created out of black Styrofoam for the frame, silver wire pulled through white Styrofoam balls for the beads. The letters APH are made out of red wiki sticks and placed in the middle of the top frame.

APH Cranmer Abacus

The image on the right is of a typical Cranmer Abacus distributed by APH. An Abacus is used frequently by students who have a visual impairment to create mathematical calculations. The Abacus can be used to add, subtract, multiply, divide, use fractions, decimals, percent’s and square roots.

A Cranmer Abacus set to zero with black frame, red felt behind the white beads.

Example Bulletin Boards

Warm Up with a Good Book

Hello 2019!

White Cane Day

Bulletin board witth cut out snowflakes with glitter and tactual elements. Two 3 dimensional penguins using books as if they are sliding in the snow.

Bulletin board with stars cut out and placed in a circle. Brightly colored pointed birthday type hats pinned to the board and an image of Snoopy.

Bulletin board with words: White cane day and a small kiddie cane attached.