Three community cultural leaders were honored recently by the Lehigh Valley Arts Council for their efforts to provide access to the performing and visual arts for persons with hearing, visual and physical disabilities. During the annual Arts Council membership reception at the Good Shepherd Health and Technology Center, Executive Director Randall Forte praised the work that is being done, and then presented certificates of congratulation to the honorees from the Pa. Senate.

Ricardo Viera, director of Lehigh University's Art Galleries and Museum, and his staff were recognized for providing a rich exhibition experience for those with vision loss. In partnership with LVAC, the LU Galleries and Museum co-hosted an audio description training for the visual arts two years ago and soon afterwards began to audio describe works of art in their teaching gallery. Currently, the staff is developing a tactile description program, which uses technology to create a three-dimensional relief of a portion of the image for the person to explore through touch.

Nora Suggs, flautist and executive director of SATORI, was cited for bringing musical experiences to underserved communities in the Lehigh Valley for more than two decades. Since 2000, she has provided musical opportunities for Good Shepherd rehabilitation patients and alums with an annual chamber music concert. She also has partnered to present a classical concert for deaf or hard-of-hearing students.

During the nine years Jessica Bien has been general manager of the Muhlenberg College's department of theatre and dance, she has implemented several programs designed to broaden the accessibility of Muhlenberg's performing arts programs to audience members with disabilities. Initiatives have included open-caption performances for patrons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, audio-described performances for patrons with visual impairments, and improved front-of-house procedures for patrons who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids.

Last summer, at Bien's initiative, Muhlenberg presented a sensory-friendly performance of the Summer Music Theatre children's production "Gruff!" for children with autism and other sensory challenges. Sensory-friendly performances will continue this summer with SMT's "Grimm!"

As part of the recognition ceremony, Forte announced that the arts council and the Partnership for a Disability-Friendly Community is launching Arts & Access, a year-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"I am proud to report that we have currently more than 35 events representing various arts disciplines," she said, "and that number is growing as we continue to book events through June 2016."

Forte noted, however, that Arts & Access "would not be happening without the pioneering work of the individuals we recognize here tonight, as well as the organizational leadership that supported their zeal for greater inclusion. Tonight, we also congratulate their cultural organizations for recognizing accessibility as an asset and core value of their business."