Our Story
Barrier-Free began with a desire to serve our community with excellence. A desire to provide high-quality programming to individuals of all abilities - built on the values of respect, transparency, and equity. A desire to take the inclusive theater model to a new level of excellence. A desire for change.
Having worked for various disability organizations in Maryland, Britt and Lauren identified common challenges or "loose threads" within the system. These challenges created disruptions and discord, hindering the organizations' ability to fulfill their intended missions and deliver promised programming.
In 2017, Britt, Lauren, & Mike took a leap of faith and became catalysts for change, founding Barrier-Free as an independent venture. Founding team members Gary & Jen joined them in this mission. Leveraging their extensive experience and established relationships, they successfully established two Inclusive Theater Companies where individuals of diverse abilities could come together to unleash their creativity and achieve their potential.
The journey wasn't without its challenges, and those who were present in the early days of Barrier-Free may remember the humble beginnings, with ticket-sale transactions occurring out of a plastic purple bucket. However, the dedication of our actors and their families, who returned season after season, spoke volumes about the joy and quality of our programming. Their belief in us even led them to invite friends to become part of the Barrier-Free family.
In 2019, Barrier-Free underwent a transformative "makeover" by becoming an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. With renewed energy, Britt and Lauren revamped our website, enhanced our social media presence, expanded our programming, fostered new community partnerships, and welcomed new staff members. Finally, Barrier-Free began to embody the premier organization it had always aspired to be.
Fast forward to 2021, and the doors of The Life Skills & Social Studio swung open. Located in the heart of Downtown Historic Sykesville, our studio's prime location was chosen deliberately to ensure our participants would be fully integrated into the community fabric.
The Life Skills & Social Studio has become a haven for neurodiverse adults, offering daily skill-based programming. Welcoming over 50 new participants from eight different counties across Maryland, our reach and impact have expanded significantly. Within the Studio's nurturing environment, participants are encouraged to take risks, enabling neurodivergent adults to unleash their creative talents, express themselves, and achieve their fullest potential.
For all those who have yearned to make a genuine impact in their community, for everyone longing for an inclusive environment, for those who see untapped potential in an organization but felt powerless to effect change—this is the place for you.
Welcome to Barrier-Free, where we believe in doing and being better, together.
Having worked for various disability organizations in Maryland, Britt and Lauren identified common challenges or "loose threads" within the system. These challenges created disruptions and discord, hindering the organizations' ability to fulfill their intended missions and deliver promised programming.
In 2017, Britt, Lauren, & Mike took a leap of faith and became catalysts for change, founding Barrier-Free as an independent venture. Founding team members Gary & Jen joined them in this mission. Leveraging their extensive experience and established relationships, they successfully established two Inclusive Theater Companies where individuals of diverse abilities could come together to unleash their creativity and achieve their potential.
The journey wasn't without its challenges, and those who were present in the early days of Barrier-Free may remember the humble beginnings, with ticket-sale transactions occurring out of a plastic purple bucket. However, the dedication of our actors and their families, who returned season after season, spoke volumes about the joy and quality of our programming. Their belief in us even led them to invite friends to become part of the Barrier-Free family.
In 2019, Barrier-Free underwent a transformative "makeover" by becoming an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. With renewed energy, Britt and Lauren revamped our website, enhanced our social media presence, expanded our programming, fostered new community partnerships, and welcomed new staff members. Finally, Barrier-Free began to embody the premier organization it had always aspired to be.
Fast forward to 2021, and the doors of The Life Skills & Social Studio swung open. Located in the heart of Downtown Historic Sykesville, our studio's prime location was chosen deliberately to ensure our participants would be fully integrated into the community fabric.
The Life Skills & Social Studio has become a haven for neurodiverse adults, offering daily skill-based programming. Welcoming over 50 new participants from eight different counties across Maryland, our reach and impact have expanded significantly. Within the Studio's nurturing environment, participants are encouraged to take risks, enabling neurodivergent adults to unleash their creative talents, express themselves, and achieve their fullest potential.
For all those who have yearned to make a genuine impact in their community, for everyone longing for an inclusive environment, for those who see untapped potential in an organization but felt powerless to effect change—this is the place for you.
Welcome to Barrier-Free, where we believe in doing and being better, together.
*You may need a purple bucket.
Core Values
Our core values are the fundamental beliefs and principles upheld within our organization. These values guide our every interaction, and decision made at Barrier-Free.
RespectWe welcome each individual's unique talents, personality, and diverse background. We come together to encourage, support, and value one another in a collective and creative environment. We uplift one another and value human dignity. |
TransparencyWe produce our programming with the highest ethical standards and integrity. At Barrier-Free we are transparent, honest, and consistent in our communication and decisions as we understand how each action we take impacts all those connected to Barrier-Free. We are committed to full transparency and welcome feedback - even when it's tough. |
EquityWe embrace the varying abilities that make up the Barrier-Free family. We understand and value that each actor has distinctive needs and strive to provide differentiated supports. Our programs are designed with equity in mind to incorporate our actors strengths and talents in an environment and group that meets their needs. |
CreativityNo idea is turned away at Barrier-Free. whether large, small, wacky, or anything in-between. Barrier-Free shows are one-of-a-kind and born from the ideas of our actors. Our inclusive theater companies, classes, and programs provide an environment where actors and participants are encouraged to be their most creative, unique selves. We welcome it all at Barrier-Free! |
Core Values in Action
Meet the team that brings our Core Values to life across all of our Inclusive programming.
