the better together project

As our company evolves and grows, as does Solo Chicken’s commitment to becoming a truly authentic champion for inclusive and accessible arts at both the community and professional level.

Due to the overwhelming success that ‘letting inclusion lead” has had on the community wing of the company, we have embarked on a transformative initiative titled the “Better Together Project”. We plan to radically adapt our policies and structure with the goal of growing into a more resilient and relevant company that is stable, ready to face challenges, and champions unity between artists with and without intellectual and/or physical disabilities, Autism, or dual diagnosis.

The principle of “nothing about us, without us” recognizes that individuals with lived experience know what is best for themselves and their community and that their participation is integral to the success of the program. When the principle is used, the organization’s work is guided by the needs and aspirations of the people being served.

We hope to achieve the goals of the Better Together Project through:

• Diversify our board of directors to include individuals who identify as having an intellectual and/or physical disability, Autism, or dual diagnosis.

• Erecting and maintaining a subcommittee whose focus is holding Solo Chicken accountable to its promises of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• Research and integrate best practices for intentional accessibility in all company meetings and communication.

• Adapt existing policies and devise new company policies that reflect our evolution.

• Create an integrated employment pilot project for artists with and without disabilities to train, create, and learn from one another.

• Develop a financial plan focused on sustainable growth and consistent programming.

• Expand programming to better serve artists and community, including adapted training and performances.