iDANCE Edmonton Integrated Dance
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
iDANCE Edmonton Integrated Dance is an accessible dance program for individuals both with and without impairments. A richly artistic and collaborative experience, we consider physical, organizational, social and cultural aspects of accessibility. Our combination of dance technique and performance promotes the unique strengths of each dancer and fosters a genuinely inclusive group dynamic.
iDANCE is a collaboration of The Steadward Centre for Personal & Physical Achievement, the University of Alberta’s Orchesis Dance Group in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, and the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and created in response to a need expressed by the disability community.
iDANCE creates new aesthetics in dance and offers new and important ways to understand dance and dancers.
WHO THE PROGRAM IS FOR
iDANCE is open to people of all abilities to
- Learn a new skill for fun
- Explore various dance forms
- Increase strength, flexibility, coordination and independence of movement
- Build confidence through the experience of performance
- Join a great social network in partnership with the larger dance community; and
- Find peer support in a culture of celebration!
COST
Our Foundation
The expertise for the program comes from the impairment and dance communities in Edmonton. iDANCE is aligned with The Steadward Centre's strategic initiatives to:
- Optimize programs to maximize access and independence of persons with impairments through physical activity
- iDANCE's executive committee comprises
- members of the local dance and disability communities
- TSC staff
- iDANCE Edmonton is an adapted fitness and physical activity program at the The Steadward Centre
- The aesthetic and artistic qualities of iDANCE are reflected in the credo of the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, “Where the Art and Science of Human Movement Come Alive!”
iDANCE Objectives
To create an accessible dance environment
- Physically,organizationally, socially and culturally
- To explore various dance forms
- To educate through infor-mances (e.g., lectures, workshops, demonstrations) and other educational outlets
- To build confidence through performances
- To be sustainable
- To work in partnership with the larger dance community
iDANCE Guiding Principles
- Excellence in all aspects of iDance Edmonton
- Inclusive of dancers (e.g., dance experience, functional participation abilities)
- Supportive of dancers to acquire personal dance needs (equipment, funding, professional dance development, etc.)
- Communicate with honesty, respecting each person’s unique contribution
- Honour our past as it is upon the past we build and grow
- Welcome the support of others through partnerships
- Seek accountability
- Create a culture of celebration
iDANCE CV (PDF)