“I have always been too disabled, too fat, too androgynous, and too unattractive. Those things have no place in DanceAbility. I felt welcomed to dance as I was with no qualifications. It was really a stunning thing to me, to have someone suggest that I could produce dance or beauty with my body; it was such a joy. Growing up as a gimp, I heard that beauty and dancing were not for those with disabilities. I was so happy to have that proved wrong. I felt like I discovered a quality within myself that has never had the chance to come up for air. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to experience this. It is such important work. I hope it will always be a part of my life.”

~Max McDonnell

Workshop participant who has a

genetic muscular disorder and

uses an electric wheelchair.

DanceAbility

DanceAbility Around the World

The home base of DanceAbility International is in Eugene, Oregon, USA. Artistic Director and founder, Alito Alessi, tours internationally about four months every year, teaching, performing, and choreographing for many groups.

Through experiencing movement together, misconceptions and/or prejudices that able-bodied or disabled people might have about themselves and each other are uprooted. DanceAbility workshops provide a supportive atmosphere for attitudes to change, and for people to learn about the beauty and joy of communicating through movement.

More than 250 people in twenty countries have participated in month-long DanceAbility Teacher Certification courses. Some teachers use DanceAbility as their main method; some combine DanceAbility with various other methods. These independent teachers are served by the informal networking umbrella that DanceAbility International provides.

Visit one of these region pages to learn more about activities around the world: USA», Latin America», Europe», Canada», or Asia».

In Mexico, Finland, Austria, and Uruguay, dance artists have asked to use DanceAbility in their organization names. These independent organizations consult with DanceAbility International for mentoring.

In Latin America, DanceAbility International co-sponsors projects by providing some funding. This funding has been made possible thanks to the endowment gift given by Marisa de Leon».