Accessibility Gym 2026/2027
The Accessibility Gym is a training programme by České Budějovice – European Capital of Culture 2028, created for cultural organisations and individuals who want their events, communication and environments to be more accessible and open to everyone.
We believe accessibility isn't something extra. It's a natural part of how we communicate, plan cultural events and build relationships with our audiences. And it rarely requires complicated solutions. Clearer communication, better information or more carefully considered events can meaningfully improve the experience for many people.
From autumn 2026 to spring 2027, the Accessibility Gym will offer 6 hands-on workshops. We'll explore practical accessibility tools, draw on real-life examples and work through challenges you actually face in your own organisations and projects.
The programme is being developed in collaboration with Agata Etmanowicz from Impact Foundation, who has long been helping us advance accessibility in culture. Individual sessions will also involve people with their own lived experience of disability, members of the Accessibility Alliance, and other experts. They will share their professional knowledge and personal experience, offer a different perspective and work with you to find solutions to real situations from practice.
The aim of the programme is not to have all the answers or to become an accessibility expert overnight. We want to explore together how to better understand the needs of different people, ask better questions and gradually build a culture that is more open to everyone.
We believe you will leave the programme not only with new knowledge and practical tools, but also with greater confidence in using them. Accessibility may then stop feeling like yet another requirement and start becoming a natural part of your work.
How the programme works
The programme combines in-person workshops, practical assignments and shorter online working sessions. During the workshops, we will explore new approaches together – and between modules, you will try them out in your own organisations. In the online sessions, we will then share what worked, what was more challenging and what we would do differently next time.
Accessibility will not remain just a workshop topic – it will become part of your everyday practice.
Programme language
The programme will be delivered in English and Czech. Some sessions will be led in English, others will combine both languages.
Don't worry – we don't expect perfect English! Some of the facilitators will communicate in English, so a communicative level and a willingness to take part in discussions is helpful.
Programme modules
Module 1: Accessibility, audiences and cultural experiences (1 October 2026)
We often associate accessibility with specific measures or legal requirements. In the first module, we will look at how it connects to audience work and the way we create cultural experiences. We will explore how accessibility and audience development can support each other – and why even small changes can significantly affect the visitor experience.
Module 2: Visual accessibility and different ways of experiencing art and culture (5 November 2026)
What changes when we stop assuming that everyone experiences culture primarily through sight?
We will look at tools such as audio description, tactile models and accessible spatial orientation. We will also learn directly from people with experience of visual impairment. Together, we will explore ways to open up art to more people – and enrich the experience for all of us.
Module 3: Physical accessibility and mobility (3 December 2026)
How do people move through our spaces and cultural events?
We will follow the visitor journey from the first information about an event through spatial orientation to seating options and temporary infrastructure. We will look for simple changes that make participation easier and support people's comfort and independence.
The next three modules in 2027 will focus on further areas of accessibility and inclusive cultural practice.
Module 4: Communication, comprehension and sensory accessibility (21 January 2027)
Not everyone processes information in the same way. In this module, we will focus on how to make cultural events clearer and more comfortable for people with different cognitive and sensory needs.
We will work with plain language, simplified formats, visual support and other approaches that help people navigate more easily and feel more confident.
Module 5: Accessibility for Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences and inclusive communication (11 February 2027)
How can we make cultural events accessible to Deaf and hard-of-hearing people?
We will look at subtitles, Czech Sign Language interpretation, hearing support technology, visual communication and other solutions that help people engage more fully. We will also explore why many of these benefit a much wider audience.
Module 6: From ideas to action (16 March 2027)
In the final module, we will look back at what we have tried out during the programme. We will share experiences from our own organisations and projects, explore further possibilities for development and map out concrete next steps you can take in your organisation after the programme ends.
How to apply
We want to create a comfortable environment with plenty of space for collaborative work and discussion, so places on the programme are limited.
If you would like to take part, please fill in the online application and tell us a little about yourself, your organisation and why the programme caught your interest. We are particularly curious about how you would like to apply what you learn in your own work.
Applications are open until 10 September 2026.
All applicants will be informed of the outcome by 15 September 2026.
We are looking for people who are curious, open to trying new things, eager to learn from others and motivated to bring new ideas into their everyday work.
What to expect and when
The Accessibility Gym is built on shared learning and the exchange of experience. To get the most out of the programme, we ask participants to attend all modules, online sessions and complete the practical assignments between them.
We are publishing the dates of the in-person workshops in České Budějovice well in advance so you can plan ahead.
We will do our best to keep the schedule unchanged. Should anything need to shift, we will let you know in good time.
2026
Module 1: Accessibility, audiences and cultural experiences – 1 October 2026
Module 2: Visual accessibility and different ways of experiencing art and culture – 5 November 2026
Module 3: Physical accessibility and mobility – 3 December 2026
2027
Module 4: Communication, comprehension and sensory accessibility – 21 January 2027
Module 5: Accessibility for Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences and inclusive communication – 11 February 2027
Module 6: From ideas to action – 25 March 2027
Any questions?
You can find out more about how we approach accessibility.
If you have any questions about the programme, registration or accessibility, or are unsure whether the Accessibility Gym is right for you, don't hesitate to get in touch. We're happy to help.
Contact: sarlota.polaskova@budejovice2028.cz
