Accessibility at Queer Joy Chorus

Physical Accessibility

We strive to secure rehearsal and performance locations that are fully accessible to individuals with mobility issues. This includes:

• Wheelchair Access: All our venues are wheelchair accessible, with ramps or elevators as needed.

• Seating Options: We provide chairs for those who need to sit during rehearsals and performances.

• Rideshare: We do our best to connect members to transportation support to events and rehearsals

• Remote Rehearsal Attendance: Singers can attend rehearsals remotely via a video call (with option for CC) which is made available every rehearsal. This allows singers who get sick or are positive for COVID to stay home while still participating in rehearsal, keeping our immunocompromised singers more safe. It also allows those with chronic conditions which intermittently limit their energy or mobility to participate from home during symptom flares

Sensory Accessibility

We recognize the diverse sensory needs of our members and take steps to accommodate them:

• Large Print Materials: We provide large print lyrics and sheet music for members with vision impairments.

• Proximity for Hearing Impairments: Members who are hard of hearing are welcome to sit close to the front, near the director, and even touch the piano for better resonance and understanding.

• Quiet Rehearsal Spaces: We ensure that our rehearsal spaces are conducive to focus and learning, minimizing background noise and distractions.

Learning Accessibility

Our music director employs a variety of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles:

• Sight Reading: For those who read music, we provide clear and easy-to-follow sheet music.

• Repetition: We frequently repeat sections of music to reinforce learning and ensure everyone feels confident.

• Breakout Groups: Skilled leaders facilitate smaller breakout groups to provide focused assistance and support.

• Adaptable Instruction: Our director is adept at adapting teaching methods on the spot to meet the diverse needs of our members.

Financial Accessibility

We are committed to making our programs financially accessible to all:

• Sliding Scale Fees: We offer sliding scale registration fees to accommodate different financial situations.

• Scholarships: Scholarships are available for members who cannot afford the registration fees, ensuring that no one is turned away due to lack of funds.

• Donations: We welcome donations of food, money, and clothing to support our members who may need these resources.

COVID-19 Policy

The Queer Joy Chorus does not require masking or any other COVID precautions to prevent community spread. However, as part of our mission to collectively build a community rooted in mutual aid, we strongly recommend our members take the following precautions in order to protect our community from serious illness and long term disability caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus:

• Testing and isolation: If you feel unwell on the day of a rehearsal, we strongly recommend that you do not come in person and instead join rehearsal via our Google Meet. If you test positive for COVID we recommend you do not come back to in-person rehearsal until you have 2 negative COVID tests, 48 hours apart, even if you do not feel sick. The current dominant variants of COVID are often spread by people who are asymptomatic. If you need help accessing COVID tests, please reach out to the Accessibility Committee at access@queerjoycollaborative.org

• Masking: We strongly recommend that everyone who can mask while singing without significant difficulty wear an N95 or KN95 mask during rehearsal. Some members of the chorus cannot sing in masks due to the increased strain on their respiratory systems or for other health or disability-related reasons. Wearing a mask, even part of the time, reduces the amount of viral load in the air, and could be the difference between the person next to you getting seriously ill or not. It is the definition of community care. A limited number of masks will be available at rehearsals for those with difficulty accessing  masks or who forget to bring one.

• Ventilation: Our rehearsal is the Northampton Center For The Arts at 33 Hawley Street. From their website: 

  “The three spaces that the Center stewards (The Flex, Eli’s Room, and Carole’s Dance Studio) have HEPA filters running 24/7, in addition to the building's state of the art HVAC system.”

Inclusive Participation

Inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do:

• No Auditions: There are no auditions to join the Queer Joy Chorus. If you show up, you are in. We believe everyone has a place in our chorus.

• Gender-Affirming Voice Parts: All singers are given the autonomy to choose which voice part they want to sing, and are encouraged to sing in a higher or lower octave if it is more comfortable

• Welcoming Environment: We foster a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusivity, ensuring that all members feel safe and valued.

• Supportive Community: Our community is here to support each other. We encourage members to voice their needs and provide feedback so we can continue to improve our accessibility efforts.

Accessibility Committee

To further enhance our commitment to accessibility, we have established an Accessibility Committee:

• Understanding Needs: The Accessibility Committee works to understand the accessibility needs of our members in a confidential manner.

• Resource Allocation: The committee ensures we have the resources in place to meet everyone's needs and provide comfort.

• Continuous Improvement: The committee regularly reviews and updates our accessibility practices to adapt to the evolving needs of our community.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

We are always looking for ways to enhance our accessibility:

• Member Feedback: We regularly gather feedback from our members through surveys and conversations to understand their needs and make necessary adjustments.

• Accessibility Training: Our staff and volunteers receive ongoing training in accessibility best practices to ensure we are meeting the needs of all our members.

• Collaborative Solutions: We work collaboratively with our members to find creative solutions to accessibility challenges, ensuring that everyone can participate fully and joyfully.

Join us at Queer Joy Chorus, where every voice is heard, every person is valued, and everyone is welcome. Together, we create a space of joy, healing, and community for all.

For more information on our accessibility efforts or to discuss your specific needs, please contact us at.