SMAC is working on expanding our network of resources for access. Please contact us if there is a resource or accommodation that would be of use to you in any of our services (for example, but not limited to, in-person or virtual events or services, or the grant applications process). Please also contact us if you offer local access resources that would be available to us or if you wish to collaborate with us on accessibility services. info@swmnarts.org, 800-622-5284.
The SMAC Board of Directors continually seeks panels of artists, arts administrators, arts volunteers, and arts appreciators representing multiple artistic disciplines from throughout the SMAC geographic region and from all our communities including BIPOC, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. Learn more about becoming a SMAC panelist.
Accessibility Policy & Commitment to Accessibility
The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. We at SMAC strive to exceed ADA guidelines by providing accessibility services and accommodations proactively, adapting our current processes and policies to remove barriers to equal access, and developing new activities with accessibility in mind at the outset. We are committed to expand our internal capacity, and the capacity of the artists and organizations we support, so that people of all abilities are assured access to the arts. See also: SMAC’s Mission, Vision, Values and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement
Accessibility Grievance Policy
Accessibility Coordinator & Contact
Krystl Louwagie, schedule a meeting or email krystl@swmnarts.org
You may also contact SMAC’s main email at info@swmnarts.org or call, Toll Free: 800-622-5284 or local: 507-537-1471
The Access Coordinator is a specific person appointed to coordinate the administrative requirements of ADA compliance, such as documenting and developing transition plans for barriers identified for people with disabilities, and to respond to complaints filed by the public. The name and contact information for the responsible person is required to be publicly advertised. Especially in a small organization, the Access Coordinator should not be considered responsible for executing all activities identified in the ADA Access Plan, but instead that their role is to encourage the organization to revisit this plan frequently, and steward action.
Staff roles as related to Accessibility
Building & Facilities
**Before visiting our office*, please contact us. Our normal business hours are M-F 9 am-12 pm & 1 pm-4 pm, but we are a small staff and occasionally have to close the office to run business errands or take out-of-office meetings. Email info@swmnarts.org or call, Toll Free: 800-622-5284 or local: 507-537-1471.**
SMAC recently moved locations and is now located at 509 W Main Street in Marshall, MN. Our new location needs work to meet our accessibility standards and we are in the process to make these changes. Budget has been assigned, but we need to secure a contractor to do physical changes.
Parking & Entrances:
Front entrance: There is street parking on Main Street, our front facing street of the building. We are working with the city to designate an accessible spot, but currently none are designated. From the cross-streets of 5th and Main Street, the Fifth Street parking space is next to a curb cut that connects to the sidewalk. The door is not currently automated to open accessibly; SMAC has installed a doorbell to the right of the door (at door handle height) that if pushed, staff will come to open the door. The opening width of the door is 41 inches. It is a heavy door that is pushed in to open (no handles or knobs to turn). The opening into SMAC after the door entrance has a width frame of 36 inches.
Back entrance: We have a small “open” parking lot behind our building, with an entrance off of 5th Street. We have plans in place with our new landlord to assign and paint parking lines and to add an accessible parking space. The door is not currently automated to open accessibly; SMAC has installed a doorbell to the left of the door handle that if pushed, staff will come to open the door. The back door is lighter to open than the front door, and the width of the entrance is 36 inches. The door handle must be grasped and turned downward to push the door inwards to open.
Restroom facilities
SMAC has a bathroom that can be used by the public, but it is small and does not have accessible handles. We are in the process of building the bathroom out to be accessible, but currently it is not. We are in talks with local businesses to see if they would be willing to let our patrons use their accessible restroom facilities, and what hours they are open.
Signage
SMAC is in the process of getting tactile signage made for our building, but they are not installed yet.
If you would like to meet in-person with SMAC staff at a location that is currently more accessible, we can arrange a meeting at the Marshall-Lyon County Library. The library building has accessible parking, as well as being an accessible building and space. If you have questions about the location, please contact the facility at 507-537-7003 or library@marshalllyonlibrary.org.
When activities are held off-site, SMAC will do their best to include all accessibility details about that space in the event description. Please contact us with specific concerns not addressed.
Access Services
SMAC is striving to ensure that grant guidelines, workshop presentations, and any other written materials are created with accessibility principles in mind. Additionally, we are happy to provide materials in Braille, Large Print, or other formats with advanced notice that varies according to format, from one week to on-demand, but even if the published notice timeline has elapsed, we may still be able to accommodate the request.
The SMAC website uses an accessibility plug-in that allows the user to select various options to improve their experience, from increasing text size and contrast to changing font type. On each grant webpage there is a link to the guidelines in a text format that is friendly to screen readers. This text format also allows you to easily adjust the font size in your browser.
For in-person events, we will make accommodations for dietary needs (two days’ advance notice requested).
Virtual Programs Accessibility
Some SMAC activities are offered in virtual/online formats, typically using Zoom, a virtual conferencing software available for free download, or available (with limited functionality) in your browser. Participants may also call in via phone to participate. Visit zoom.us or find it on your device’s app store to download and make your account before the meeting begins.
Live automated captioning is always available: Learn how to enable captions on Zoom. Live human-generated captions, live American Sign Language interpretation, and related written materials provided in advance are available for most activities upon request. Recorded events (like Grant Webinars and Virtual Artist Talks) are available on SMAC’s website and YouTube channel with captions.
Application Assistance
SMAC prefers that all applicants apply online unless a disability prevents them from doing so. The company that makes the online application software SMAC uses, Foundant Technologies, suggests using NVDA, a screen reader software compatible with Windows available for free download.
Applicants with disabilities wishing to use other means to apply can work with SMAC staff to adapt our typical processes to ensure you have equal opportunity to submit an application. Example solutions include filling out an adapted form in Microsoft Word, filling out a printed out application that SMAC will enter into our online system, and providing verbal responses that SMAC will share via audio recording or transcribe. To begin a conversation about how we can help, please contact our grants administrator Caroline at Caroline@swmnarts.org or schedule a meeting with Caroline, or connect with Krystl Louwagie (Accessibility Coordinator) by scheduling a meeting or email: krystl@swmnarts.org.
Accessibility Resources
Accessibility Resources for Organizations
Federal ADA Website
Minnesota State Arts Board
Minnesota State Council on Disability
Springboard for the Arts Accessibility for Artists & Arts Organizations
VSA’s Checkpoints for Access Questionnaire
