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.

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.

Barrier-Free Artwork on Display at Make Studio

It's official, Make Studio's exhibit, Cordially Invited IV, is now live online and open in-person!

We are so thankful to have been invited in June to submit art pieces created by Barrier-Free"ers" for this exhibition.
Congratulations to Alexander, Amanda, Coy, Emily, Ian, Jared, Jenny, Michael E., and Rosemary!

From Make Studio:
"Make Studio is pleased to present the 4th installment of Cordially Invited, our invitational exhibition, and events featuring art created in innovative U.S. and international studios that serve artists with disabilities. Cordially Invited celebrates the exciting and thought-provoking art produced in progressive art studios as a way to better understand and appreciate our neuro-diverse world."
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Pictured Above: Make Studio's In-Person Exhibit

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.

Now Enrolling

Join us for a one-day online workshop, participants will learn and engage in the basics of HALLOWEEN THEMED character-based improv and comedy! 🎭

Join us Thursday, November 4 for our November Social Club to Sakura!

Front Page Feature

Did you catch us on the front page of the Hampstead/Manchester Merchandiser on September 29. 2021?

If you missed the article CLICK HERE to read the digital version!

Barrier-Free's Impact
If my son is "off" or quiet, never once have Barrier-Free staff given up, or gotten discouraged. They are patient, and know he'll find his words. Barrier-Free believes in him.... and continues to have an extraordinary impact on my sons world.

- Melanie Rawlings, mother of Alex White, Barrier-Free actor

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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