By Danielle Strnad, June 15 2026
As we prepare to join the InclusiV community this year, we are filled with gratitude for the connections that brought us here. Our relationship with InclusiV began through Ambassador Jessica Rotolo and her mom Dorlean, who have been part of our DramaWay family for many years. Their enthusiasm for this event and their belief in the power of inclusive spaces made this partnership feel natural. We are excited to support InclusiV with performances that reflect the creativity, confidence, and community spirit that guide our work.
As the Founder and Executive Director of DramaWay, I have had the privilege of spending more than twenty-five years working alongside an extraordinary team of arts and education specialists who support individuals of all ages and abilities. Whether creating through a class, a performance, or a community partnership event, one lesson has remained constant. Inclusion is not only about making space. It is about understanding each person’s needs and taking the steps required to ensure they feel a true sense of belonging and connection.
At DramaWay we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to express themselves, connect with others, and experience the joy of creativity. We have seen that the arts can build confidence, foster friendships, and create a sense of community. These outcomes are only possible when accessibility and inclusion are intentionally woven into every part of our programming.
Over the years we have implemented countless accommodations to ensure meaningful participation. Through individualized intake, assessing required supports, providing accessible venues, offering sensory accommodations, and adapting lesson plans, we work to meet each performer’s unique needs. This year grant funding allowed us to purchase a portable accessibility ramp, which gave our performers the opportunity to access a stage independently with ease. We also secured funding for technical equipment which included microphones for every performer in our annual showcase, ensuring all voices can be heard. Knowing that everyone learns in different ways, our team creates accessible tutorials for choreography, stage blocking, and character development so performers can practice, build skills, and gain confidence at home.
Our team continually adapts down to the smallest details for performers who may require support with fine motor skills. This can include thoughtful blocking that accommodates seated performers and those with varying ranges of motion. It can also mean adding predesigned pieces to a performer’s wheelchair or walker to help them transform into their character. At DramaWay these accommodations are not extras. They are essential components of creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
What we have learned over the past twenty-five years is that inclusion is not a checklist. It is an ongoing commitment to listening, learning, and adapting. It requires creativity, empathy, and a willingness to challenge traditional ways of thinking. By including performers and their support teams in our process, we continue to evolve and create spaces where people feel supported to express their talents and creativity to their fullest potential.
The creative arts should never be reserved for a select few. At DramaWay we believe the arts can and should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, background, or circumstance. When we make the arts more inclusive, we strengthen communities, enrich experiences, and open doors for individuals to discover skills that have always been there waiting to be encouraged.
As we continue to celebrate inclusion, we encourage organizations, educators, artists, community leaders, and individuals to take action. Look at the spaces you create and ask yourself who is missing, what barriers still exist, and what can be done differently.
This year we are proud to bring our work to InclusiV, an event that shares our belief in belonging and community. We look forward to contributing to a celebration where every person has the opportunity to participate, be seen, be heard, and feel valued. Our performers are excited to share their talents, and we are grateful to Jessica and Dorlean for opening the door to this meaningful partnership. InclusiV reminds us that when we come together with intention and care, inclusion becomes something we can all experience in action.
BIO
Danielle Strnad began creating and working with the All Abilities community since the young age of 16. As a Theatre Artist and Arts Educator, Strnad is considered one of the leading providers of inclusive arts programs across the GTA.
She founded DramaWay back in 1999 when she saw an opportunity in the community to provide creative-arts programs, emphasizing a uniquely compassionate, process-oriented approach to educational arts programming for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Danielle’s philosophy of putting participants’ needs first, remains the backbone of DramaWay.
Due to Danielle’s vision and leadership, DramaWay has grown from running one small drama program with 5 participants, to hosting 15 arts-based programs and engaging over 450 individuals across the GTA.
