Sensory Theatre for All: DEAP Transnational Training in Poland

In November 2025, the DEAP project continued its capacity-building journey with a transnational training course in Łódź and Kraków, Poland, titled “Inclusive Vision – Sensory Theatre for All”.
Organised by FRAME Foundation within Work Package 3, the training focused on theatre, sensory experience and inclusive artistic methodologies for working with young people with visual impairments

The six-day programme gathered youth workers, educators and trainers from five European countries, combining theoretical input with intensive hands-on practice. The first part of the training took place at the Special Educational Centre No. 6 in Łódź, where participants explored accessible learning environments, adapted classrooms and specialised educational tools for visually impaired learners.

Participants deepened their understanding of visual impairment, inclusive communication and safety in arts education. Theatre-based sessions focused on voice, movement, rhythm, breath and emotion as accessible forms of expression beyond visual perception.

A particularly powerful experience was the visit to the Invisible Exhibition (Black World) in Łódź. Guided by blind educators, participants navigated a completely dark environment, relying solely on non-visual senses. This immersive experience significantly strengthened empathy, awareness and understanding of accessibility and inclusion.

The second part of the training took place at EXIT Theatre in Kraków, a professional inclusive theatre known for working with actors with disabilities. Participants engaged in practical theatre workshops, observed artistic processes and met actors who shared their lived experiences on stage. These encounters highlighted the transformative potential of inclusive theatre as a tool for empowerment, authenticity and social change.

Feedback from participants confirmed the strong pedagogical value and emotional impact of the training. Many emphasised that the experience reshaped their approach to accessibility in the arts and inspired concrete ideas for developing inclusive theatre activities at local level.