Worcester Center for Crafts works to build community, develop relationships and create cultural and creative opportunities for all.

We promote an inclusive arts community, practice racial equity, and advocate for cultural empathy and competence while rejecting systems of oppression and cultural bias. WCC believes everyone, regardless of race, color, age, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, national origin, or citizenship status, is entitled to equal opportunities, fair, respectful experiences, and interpersonal engagement.

Accessibility at Worcester Center for Craft

Overview

Worcester Center for Crafts (WCC) is committed to ensuring a welcoming, navigable, and fully accessible space to all attendees including people with physical disabilities, Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, and anyone requiring additional support.

Accessibility is not an afterthought at WCC; it is embedded in our facility design, staff training, and community partnerships.

Physical Accessibility

WCC’s facility at 25 Sagamore Road is designed to accommodate attendees with mobility disabilities and physical access needs:

  • Accessible parking- Designated accessible parking spaces are available on site, located close to the main entrance
  • Entrance ramps- All building entrances are equipped with ramps providing step-free access
  • Accessible doorways- Doorways throughout the facility are ADA-width compliant to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility devices
  • Automatic door buttons-  push-open buttons are installed at key entry and transition points throughout the building, allowing hands-free access
  • Accessible restrooms-  The facility includes ADA-compliant restrooms as well as all-gender restroom options, ensuring dignified access for all attendees
  • Braille signage- Braille signage is installed at all rooms and key locations throughout the facility, supporting navigation for blind and low-vision visitors

During the events, WCC ensures that outdoor vendor and demonstration areas are arranged to maintain clear, navigable pathways for wheelchair users and attendees with mobility devices.

Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Access

WCC provides the following accommodations to ensure Deaf and hard-of-hearing attendees can fully participate in and enjoy the Craft Center:

  • Printed programs- Detailed printed programs are available to all visitors attendees at no cost, providing written descriptions offered classes. During events, we provide free printed programs of all festival activities, performance schedules, studio demonstrations, and gallery exhibitions, ensuring that attendees who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing have full information without relying on audio announcements
  • Visual announcements- At events, key announcements and schedule updates are communicated visually through signage displayed throughout the festival footprint, so no attendee must depend solely on verbal or amplified audio communication
Community Partnerships

WCC’s commitment to disability inclusion is strengthened through active community relationships:

  • Seven Hills Foundation- WCC maintains a partnership with Seven Hills Foundation, one of Central Massachusetts’ leading disability services organizations. This relationship informs WCC’s inclusive programming practices and helps connect the festival with participants and attendees across the disability community
  • Staff and volunteer training- WCC staff and volunteers receive overviews in disability awareness and inclusive service, ensuring that all attendees are met with knowledgeable, respectful support throughout the event
Financial Accessibility

WCC believes that cost should never be a barrier to participation:

  • Fee waivers- Financial accommodations, including fee waivers, are available for art vendors who require them. Those seeking support are encouraged to contact WCC in advance of the event.
  • Free admission- Our annual Hot Night in the City is free and open to the public, removing the most fundamental financial barrier to attendance
  • Scholarships & Awards- We believe that everyone can benefit from taking craft classes. The Worcester Center for Crafts Adult Artist Award is presented to an individual that exemplifies an appreciation for the arts and an interest in our creative community. The recipient of this award will receive a scholarship to attend a course at Worcester Center for Crafts. Click here for more information & the application.

Requesting Accommodations

WCC is committed to being accessible to everyone. Accessible parking, entrance ramps, push-open doors, accessible restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and Braille signage are available throughout our facility. Printed programs and visual announcements are provided at events.

To request a specific accommodation, inquire about a fee waiver for an event, or ask about access, please contact us at emckennayeaw@worcester.edu or 508-753-8183 (at least two weeks before a class or an event)