Rise Up Chorus Inc. Access and Accessibility Policy Statement

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Rise Up Chorus Inc. (“RUC”) welcomes artists (including singers and guest performers), volunteers, staff, Board members, and audience members with disabilities. The policy of RUC is to ensure equal opportunity for all people to participate in, and benefit from, programs and activities of RUC, regardless of physical/mental ability, race, gender, national origin, color, age, religion, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, or marital status in accordance with Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
 

Background of Access and Accessibility Policy Statement and Implementation Plan

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This Access and Accessibility Plan was reviewed and approved by the RUC Board of Directors on March 30, 2023, is effective immediately thereafter, and will be in effect until future amendments are made.

 

RUC’s Board of Directors, consisting of members of the chorus along with other stakeholders, addresses ongoing accessibility issues for RUC members in reaching and attending performances and rehearsals. RUC’s current rehearsal, under-stage storage, and office space is fully accessible for RUC members. Attic storage space is accessible by stairs.

 

RUC's Board of Directors makes reasonable accommodations for audience members with disabilities so they are able to freely attend and enjoy RUC performances.

 

RUC’s Access and Accessibility Plan will be reviewed annually to update and assess its utility, in accordance with the organization’s policy review calendar, and amended and updated as needed. 

 

A copy of RUC’s Access and Accessibility Plan will be made available to all artists (including singers and guest performers), volunteers, staff, Board members, and audience members, and it will be published on RUC’s website. A print copy is available upon request.

 

RUC’s Access and Accessibility Plan will be reviewed and updated annually, as necessary. Currently, RUC is in compliance.

RUC’s Access Compliance Officer may be reached via email at Access@RiseUpChorus.org or by phone at (732) 662-4469.  All requests will be responded to promptly.

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Accessibility Implementation Plan and Status as of March, 2023

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Policies and Management

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

2. RUC shall not discriminate on the basis of disability against individuals with disabilities who desire to become members of RUC, its Board of Directors, or any subcommittees of these groups.

3. RUC will make reasonable efforts to assist participants who require additional, reasonable accommodations to perform on an as-needed basis. 

4. RUC will incorporate review of its Access and Accessibility Plan into its periodic strategic planning and will use its best efforts to ensure that Section 504 goals set forth in its strategic plan are met in a timely manner.

5. RUC shall post its Access and Accessibility Plan on its website, and will thus be available to all its members, and information regarding accessibility accommodations in programs, newsletters and other communications with the public.

6. RUC shall compile and maintain a file of accessibility resources to enable timely compliance with accessibility-related requests.

7. RUC shall review the contents of the Access and Accessibility Plan annually and shall revise it as deemed necessary by the organization to better meet its overall plan.
    

Programs and Activities

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1. If anyone has a reasonable accommodation request due to hearing, vision, or physical impairment, RUC will make best efforts to accommodate such requests, provided that these requests are made to RUC’s Access Compliance Officer at least 14 days in advance of an event, via email, phone, or in person.

   • A limited number of Large Print Format programs will be available for every performance and/or event.

   • Designated seating in the front row will be provided if requested in advance.

2. RUC shall provide seating for performers who are unable to stand for extended periods of time during performances.  Members of RUC who require additional reasonable accommodations to perform with RUC shall be accommodated.

3. RUC will educate its staff and concert 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, whether events are self-sponsored or held in spaces not controlled by RUC.

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Facilities

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Rise Up Chorus owns no real estate; as such, RUC does not own any of its rehearsal, regular meeting, or performance venues. Therefore;

1. RUC will make reasonable efforts to ensure that our rehearsal and regular meeting locations are compliant with The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as well as The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and will advocate for inclusive accessibility policies and measures at all performance and rehearsal venues with which it does business.
    

2. RUC will make reasonable efforts to ensure that its rehearsals and all self-sponsored performances are physically accessible to all individuals who desire to attend. Physical accessibility shall include parking, entrance areas, seating area, restroom areas, and all other common areas.
    

3. In discussions with promoters or hosts who contract with RUC to perform, RUC will make reasonable efforts to ensure that its performances in spaces not controlled by RUC shall be physically accessible to all who desire to attend. Physical accessibility shall include parking, entrance areas, seating area, restroom areas, and all other common areas.

 

Enacted: September 17, 2022

Revised: March 30, 2023