Supported by the national nursing directorate at NHS England and Improvement, DanceSyndrome has created a series of six informational videos which aim to demonstrate to healthcare professionals, including Midwives and Learning Disability Nurses, the many ways in which individuals with learning disabilities can live fulfilled lives, contributing to society and becoming visible leaders, performers and advocates.
The videos combine evidence of the health and wellbeing benefits of dancing with information about the services that DanceSyndrome offers and how individuals with learning disabilities contribute to those services, as well as benefiting from them by being included, empowered, respected, connected and enabled to be creative.
There are inspiring case studies of people with learning disabilities who are pursuing careers in dance, as well as demonstrations of dance which are co-led by people with learning disabilities in line with DanceSyndrome's unique co-delivery model which puts people with learning disabilities in visible leadership roles.
Learn about the importance of adaptations in making activities truly inclusive and accessible. Find out why inclusive activities are important for people with and without disabilities to make connections, build friendships and learn transferrable skills which can be used in all aspects of life. Discover the power of creativity and why it is important to see people with and without disabilities collaborating to choreograph and perform high quality dance pieces.
Video 1 - Everybody Dance
Video 2 - Dance By Example
Video 3 - The Importance of the Individual
Video 4 - Adaptation
Video 5 - Connection
Video 6 - Creativity
You and your team are encouraged to actively take part in the dance activities that are demonstrated and see for yourself how even short dance activities can significantly impact both physical and mental health. We hope that after watching the videos you will also see what can be achieved when society values people with learning disabilities for their talents, skills and abilities, instead of just seeing their disability or diagnosis.
Dance Leader Team Biography
DanceSyndrome was founded by Jen Blackwell who has Down's syndrome. She found it difficult to find opportunities to train and work in dance because of her learning disability. With the help of her parents the charity was set up to support people with and without disabilities to work together to follow their dreams in dance.
Since 2009, the Dance Leader team has grown to become a group of individuals with a range of disabilities including Down's syndrome, quadriplegia cerebral palsy, non-verbal communication, speech impairments and mental health conditions. They work hard to prove to everyone in society that people with learning disabilities have strengths, talents and abilities and can be successful in a career of their choice regardless of whether they have a disability or not. They are all visible members of their communities who can regularly be seen leading workshops, dance performances and community dance activities. Some of them given speeches at high profile conferences and special events.
Every member of the team is an inspiring leader in their own right and they have all completed DanceSyndrome's unique Dance By Example leadership training. This qualifies them to co-lead inclusive dance workshops; each Dancer Leader works together with a Dance Artist to provide high quality inclusive dance sessions for people with and without disabilities to enjoy together.