All Abilities Expertise
At DramaWay, we’ve enabled participants with a wide range of developmental and physical disabilities as well as those needing mental health support to fully participate in our programs with confidence and pride. We work from a person-centered approach, where our creativity and flexibility allow us to organically create and adapt our programming around our participants’ interests, strengths and abilities.
Participants with a wide variety of disabilities including people on the autism spectrum, people with Down syndrome, learning disabilities, brain injuries, and generalized anxiety disorders, as well as those with behavioural and mental health concerns have all successfully participated in our programs year after year.
Through creativity, we all have a voice. At DramaWay we help you find that voice. Participants, both verbal and non-speaking, fully participate. A key benefit of creative movement and the fine arts is that communication delves much deeper, and we can communicate with and without words.
We know that personal attention is instrumental in the success of each and every participant, so our staff-to-student ratio is 1 to 5. Our programs are further enhanced by volunteer support who carry a wealth of experience. Providing a safe and nurturing environment is of utmost importance, both emotionally and physically. There is always at least one Arts Facilitator trained in first aid at all of our programs.
“My name is Jessica Rotolo. I am 20 years old and I was born with Down syndrome. I have been a performer at DramaWay for six years. I love going to DramaWay. They are my second family. I have met so many friends there. I am enormously proud to be a DramaWay Ambassador. I have become the performer I am today thanks to Danielle Strnad and her amazing facilitators.
At DramaWay Productions I receive acting, performance and presentation training, which has led me to paying jobs. Danielle has introduced me to so many opportunities.I appeared on an AMI TV documentary called Employable Me, Season 2, Episode 3. I have been on Breakfast Television, CBC’s The Goods, CBC radio and AMI radio, among many others.
DramaWay has also helped me with my confidence to become a leader and an advocate in the Down syndrome community. With the support of my family, my friends and DramaWay I am a confident woman who is rockin’ life.”
— Jessica Rotolo, Performer & Self-Advocate