Tour Breaks Down Barriers: sharing disability culture in rural saskatchewan BY SABRINA CATALDO
A udiences tapped their toes, laughed out loud and even shed tears during the Listen to Dis’ Community Arts Organization’s (LTD) recent rural Saskatchewan tour. With musicians and actors with disabilities at its heart, the performance proved that art is for everyone, while also challenging perspectives on disability. Aileen Martin, community consultant, Prairie Central District for Sport, Culture and Recreation, one of the partners in the tour, says that, “a lot of people felt seen” at the tour. Local residents of care homes were invited, including some who have similar disabilities to the performers.
Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) that he returned for the community session later that day. “He came back to say, ‘thank you’ because he didn’t realize before that what was going on in his head may be ADHD,” Martin says. “This was the first time he had heard about it. It was so brave for him to share that with us.” “When you see Listen to Dis’ on stage, it hits home that art is for everyone.” – AILEEN MARTIN
“They realized that they could do this, too,” she says. “When you see Listen to Dis’ on stage, it hits home that art is for everyone.” Traci Foster, artistic director, LTD, adds, “It gave them hope that they can realize their dream relative to their art form — a dream that they haven’t been able to find their way into due to inaccessible programming or direction.” The response of one audience member in Humboldt stands out for Martin. A young boy was so moved by LTD performer Nathan Coppens’ monologue about people living with Attention-Deficit/
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SPRING 2025
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