Inclusion Services & Financial Aid

Our Application is a Two-Step Process:

1. CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FORM
   
2. SEND DOCUMENTATION OF FINANCIAL NEED: Please note that documentation of financial need is required with all applications. Acceptable documentation includes: Free/Reduced Lunch Letter; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefit Letter; IRS Tax Return; SSDI Benefit Letter; WIC Benefit Letter; or TANF Benefit Letter.

You can mail or drop off documentation at:

Echo Theater Company
1515 SE 37th Ave
Portland, OR 97214

You can also email us the documentation:

school@echotheaterpdx.org

If your family does not participate in any such programs, please write a brief paragraph describing your circumstances.

Inclusion Services

Echo Theater Company has 20+ years of experience meeting each student where they are and including them in our classes. Our curriculum is adaptable and accessible to students of diverse mental and physical characteristics.
In the past we have successfully integrated students identifying as on the autism spectrum, Deaf, ADHD, non-verbal and ESL students, as well as students with limb loss, sensory integration challenges, and more.  While no class is ideal for every learner, we are ready to meet the needs of a wide variety of students within the context of our classes.
If you or a member of your family would like to explore accessibility in our classes, please contact us at 971-267-ECHO (3246), or hello [at] echotheaterpdx.org. We are happy to discuss your specific circumstances and strategies to make your experience at Echo a positive one! 

Inclusion specialist:

Sometimes, students benefit from having one-on-one assistance in class. An inclusion specialist may be a family member, a member of your support team, or a member of our staff who provides assistance with communication, participation, using the restroom, etc.
Hiring an inclusion specialist from our staff entails an additional tuition of $6-$12/hour. We are creative problem-solvers and will do our best to accommodate your financial situation.  We have a sliding scale financial aid program, work trade opportunities, and other sources of funding that can be used to assist with tuition. We strive to offer class options that are accessible to all. Please talk to us about your budget and we will create a plan that will work for your family.

DanceAbility, Inclusive Dance:

DanceAbility uses improvisational dance to promote artistic expression and exploration between people with and without disabilities. This class cultivates a common ground for creative expression of all people. The material is drawn from the group present in a given situation and isolates no one. The method supports self-empowerment by offering ways that all individuals can participate fully in expressing their creative choices, including respecting one’s own limits.
DanceAbility International’s mission is to create opportunities for people with and without disabilities to dance and move together. Our vision is that through dance and movement, people from very diverse backgrounds experience the art of being together.

We do not currently have a class in DanceAbility running at Echo. However, we are happy to bring DanceAbility to you or schedule a private workshop at Echo Theater. If you need accommodations, please contact us at 971-267-ECHO (3246), or hello [at] echotheaterpdx.org.

Instructor: Aaron Wheeler-Kay (certified DanceAbility instructor)