Linked with
For supporting
Autism Dance Day
and
World Dance Day
INTRODUCTION
One of the most open and expressive activities is dancing.
BACKGROUND
Dancing can be fun, fulfilling and in some cases liberating. Also, there are many health benefits when we can dance regularly.
PASSIONATE DANCING
This can be challenging for some people with hidden differences, this can be a barrier due to learning environments which might not be accommodating. Also, prejudice and vanity perceptions can be divided and exclude a person unfairly.
It shouldn’t have to be like this. If more people can dance with confidence then it benefits everyone which means more people have a strong chance to have a good time and to have a positive experience.
To reach we need to move away from unrealistic expectations and not use anything else to divide and exclude a person. Also not to interfere with those who dance passionately.
MUSIC EVENTS
Many different challenges can occur in these environments with crowds of people in tight spaces. It can be a nightmare for some people with hidden differences in the fast-moving environments of the short patient and tolerant levels
I’ve experienced aggressive intimidation and ableism at music including when by certain men who were irritated just because I am expressive & passionate with my dancing and when dancing certain people try to distract me with ableist hand gestures attempting to shame my presence.
We are not robots we should respect how unique we are so it is not for anyone to control and interfere in how anyone dances.
COMBINED ENVIRONMENTS
One factor will determine the positive experiences for some people with hidden differences, it is related to how supportive their surroundings are. This is vital because it can prevent certain negative experiences such as bullying, prejudice and ableism. Some people, don’t need any surroundings to navigate and manage at variations levels. For those who do require surroundings is a way of not being held back or being taken advantage of the social and learning environments are highly competitive.
WHAT WE SHOULD AVOID
Regardless of the environment and atmosphere, no one use prevent a person with hidden differences from dancing and having a good time. This includes not to single out a person with hidden differences just because of how different they appear due to their difficulties and misperceptions. Also, we must not see a person with hidden differences as a nuisance when dancing it is never an excuse to bully or physically abuse them. Not use vanity taste to exclude and reject a person with hidden differences when dancing and socialising.
A lot to think about and consider but it can be achieved and everyone can do their part to make sure a person with hidden differences can be able to dance without barriers.
Written by Keith Mckenzie
Project Director Plus Value Awareness
Click here to discover more about the Project Director
RECOMMENDED PROJECTS
From the Plus Value Awareness family
The information with suggestions and downloadable suggestions to improve inclusivity for passionate dancers with neurodiversity, Invisible disabilities and those experiencing anxiety.
Dancing inclusivity publications
A series of suggestions publications (available to download) to encourage to be accommodating and more inclusive for selected neurodiverse dancers in latin dancing environments.
USEFUL LINKS
The specially themed information project to open mind to embrace inclusivity towards neurodiverse dancers Launched during International Dance Day & Autism Dance Day and is available Mid April 2025
Also available on the Keith Mckenzie website
The online special is available all year round with links to dancing-related projects, information and publications
Also available on the Keith Mckenzie website
INFORMATION
Hidden differences are used as a collective description of independent and articulate young people and adults who live with types of difficulties that are not visually obvious
Visit the Understanding series index to explore
Keith Mckenzie
For Plus Value Awareness
valueawareinsight.wordpress.com 
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