Who We Are

Barrier-Free is a non-profit, disability service organization that provides inclusive art, self-advocacy, and social programming to the community for adults with disabilities.

Theater

We offer two inclusive theater companies where neurodiverse adults ages 18+ come together to create original full-production musicals.  Our shows are full-scale productions at McDaniel College's Theater with costumes, tech, music, and more!

We also offer expressive arts classes covering a variety of themes including improvisational acting, dance, and more!

Social

Barrier-Free offers social club outings for adults 18+ with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism. 

These are staffed events with the goal of building friendships, integrating into society, and developing independent life skills.
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We also offer social-skill based classes that provide intentional focus on developing our social skills.

Life Skills

At our Life Skills & Social Studio in Downtown Sykesville, we support the development of life skills and social skills for neurodiverse adults through an integrated-arts model with a focus on interpersonal interaction, authentic practice, and group collaboration.
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​A key component of The Studio is going out into the community to implement our improved life and social skills.
Beginning January 2022, Barrier-Free is requiring all actors and staff to wear masks for Inclusive Theater Company rehearsals and Studio sessions.

Attend our LIVE Performances - March 2022

Barrier-Free's inclusive theater companies are BACK ON STAGE in March of 2022!

Performances are held at McDaniel College's Alumni Hall.

Learn more about our inclusive approach to theater where neurodiverse actors with disabilities & mentors follow a multi-step process to create original shows.
Advance tickets are eligible to be used at any show date.
Please save your email receipt as confirmation of purchase. Your tickets will be available day-of, at the Ticket Booth.

Giant Community Bags

Reduce single-use plastic in the environment and give back to those in need in the local community, all while running routine weekly errands at the local Giant Food. Barrier-Free has been selected by local Giant Food store leadership as the benefiting non-profit in the Community Bag Program for the month of January! 

Barrier-Free will receive a $1 donation for every $2.50 reusable Community Bag purchased at the Westminster Giant in January. 

Our supporting store is Giant Food at 405 N. Center St Westminster, MD 21157.

Great news!! If you aren't local to Westminster, you can purchase a Community Bag at ANY Giant location and follow the easy 4-steps on the tag to have your donation directed to Barrier-Free.

Dine Out and Support Barrier-Free

  Join us for an upcoming restaurant fundraiser for a quick and easy way to support Barrier-Free!

Tuesday, January 18 - Chipotle in Westminster, MD will be donating 33% of total sales from 4 - 8pm. Order in store and mention "Barrier-Free" or use code J8L9Z2Y for online ordering.

February 13 - 19 - Glory Days in Sykesville, MD will donate 10% of the WHOLE week's sales (alcohol included).  Make sure to ask your server for a copy of the ITEMIZED RECEIPT (not the charge card receipt) to bring back to Barrier-Free.

Thank you for your continued support!

Hey Westminster Grant Award

BIG NEWS! We are thrilled to share that Barrier-Free is the October recipient of the Hey, Westminster grant award for being AWESOME! 🌟
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We want to share a big thank you to the Hey, Westminster Board of Trustees for coming together to generously create this grant opportunity for our town. Also, a big thank you to GLBAL media for this incredible grant award video. You all are equally as awesome! ❤️

​The Hey Westminster Grant is a chapter of the Awesome Foundation, a global community advancing the interest of awesome in the universe, $1000 at a time.
Each fully autonomous chapter supports awesome projects through micro-grants, usually given out monthly. These micro-grants, $1000 or the local equivalent, come out of pockets of the chapter's "trustees" and are given on a no-strings-attached basis to people and groups working on awesome projects.

Community Arts Development Grant Award

MORE BIG NEWS! We are thrilled to share that Barrier-Free is the recipient of a Community Arts Development Grant from the Carroll County Arts Council! 🌟
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We want to thank the Arts Council Board for recognizing the incredible work Barrier-Free is doing to help neurodiverse individuals create, express, and achieve! ❤️

Life Skills & Social Studio - Now Open!

Barrier-Free proudly presents, The Life Skills & Social Studio, located in Historic Downtown Sykesville!

The mission of Barrier-Free's Studio is to support the development of life skills and social skills through an integrated-arts model with a focus on interpersonal interaction, authentic practice, and group collaboration.

Barrier-Free's Impact
"My favorite part of Barrier-Free is that it is an inclusive and supportive environment that allows me to learn new skills interactively with peers and in my community. Barrier-Free also encourage me to form natural, authentic relationship with my peers."

- Emma Leonard, Barrier-Free Studio member, actor, and social clubber

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Barrier-Free participants Lauren, Sam, & Ian at "Spring Social Series," April 2021.

By the Numbers

​4:1

Inclusion
​Ratio

2650

Hours of Programming Per Year

​96%

Participant Retention Rate

75+

Participants in our Programs