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 adults 18+ come together to create original one-act musicals.  We serve adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism.

​Our seasons are 7 months long and culminate with a performance at McDaniel Theater.
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Social

Barrier-Free offers a monthly social club outing for adults 18+ with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism.  Social club outings change each month and vary in cost.

These are staffed events with the goal of building  friendship and developing independent life skills.
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Self-Advocacy

Through our classes and workshops, adults 18+ with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism learn and practice self-advocacy skills.

Self-advocacy skills translate to all areas of life including the workplace, home, friendships, and more. 
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What's new at Barrier-Free?

Join Barrier-Free for Giving Tuesday

It's almost Giving Tuesday - December 1st!

#GivingTuesday is an opportunity to uplift non-profits and support their mission by committing a financial gift as part of the kick-off to the holiday season.

Will you commit a Giving Tuesday gift to Barrier-Free this year?

Yes, I'd like to donate now!

All week we'll be sharing testimonials on our social media from Barrier-Free participants about the personal impact of our programs and facts about what makes our organization a step above the rest.

Thank you for supporting Barrier-Free this holiday season!

Original Short Films Premiering Dec. 18th!

Our Art of Performing Companies have been hard at work creating, rehearsing, and filming their original short films!

These short films will premiere on Friday December 18th at 8pm live on Youtube!

Company A's film "Salty Seas" will be Act I & Company B's film "Family is Family will be Act II.

Tickets are $5 for the full length, two act film premiere.

New Class

Join us on Zoom for a class to spread holiday cheer!
Holidays plans get changed or cancelled?  Let’s get together weekly to foster friendships, enjoy Christmas songs, theater and more!
Details:
  • Adults (18+) with intellectual/developmental disabilities & autism
  • Thursday 6:30 - 7:30 pm
  • December 3 - 17 (3 weeks)
  • ​Tuition: $30 - covers cost of materials
  • Class held via Zoom
  • Instructors: Lauren Burr & Michael Eaton​

Original Short-Film "Muscle Beach"

On August 6th, our short-film "Muscle Beach" premiered via Youtube & Facebook live.  Thank you to our audience members for the outpouring of support and love for our actors!

International Collaboration

On July 25, 2020, Barrier-Free joined forces with Blue Apple Theatre to share a co-presented "hands across the ocean" workshop.  Blue Apple Theatre is a non-profit company in the UK that "produces high-quality theatre, dance and film to challenge prejudice and transform the lives of people with a learning disability."  Click here for the full story.

Check Out Our Work

Clip from Inclusive Theater Company A's show, A Spooktacular House Party (2019).  Written and directed by Britt Burr.
If my son is "off" or quiet, never once has Britt given up, or gotten discouraged. She is patient, and knows he'll find his words. She believes in him.... and continues to have an extraordinary impact on my sons world,

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

    Like what you see?  Fill out our form below to stay in touch.
Barrier-Free actors Mike Eaton and Alex White in What it Means to be Super (2019).

By the Numbers

​4:1

Average Actor-Staff Ratio

50+

Actors in our Programs

16+

Programs per Year

​96%

Participant Retention Rate