2023 IL Awards Winner – Social Inclusion Award

December 14, 2023

The recipient of the 2023 Social Inclusion Award for Independent Living is Paul Power from Power Productions.

Power Productions is primarily focused on representing, teaching and expanding the overall disability, Deaf and MAD Arts culture. The company achieves this by producing and presenting theatre works devoted to disability themes and/or casting persons who self-identify as living with a disability, who are Deaf or hard of hearing or live with mental health disabilities.

Power Productions is committed to creating diverse and accessible theatre projects, professional development opportunities and community collaborations with a focus on strengthening the disabled, Deaf and MAD arts sector in Atlantic Canada.

They are a community catalyst and resource for sustainable change in the areas of accessibility, inclusion and diversity within the community.

Their shows like “Crippled”, bring more awareness to the talents and abilities of the community. Power Productions also raises its voice and creates relationships with municipal, provincial and federal stakeholders to increase opportunities, accessibility, inclusion and funding for the arts, especially as it relates to making theatre more accessible for everyone.

In 2022 Power Productions embarked on a mission to make local theatre more accessible for individuals with sight loss. Four individuals underwent a two-week intensive training for Live Audio Description, and Power Productions is now able to offer this service province wide through Power UP. This service has been offered for a number of shows in the province, including Don’t Give Up On Me Dad by Andy Jones and Come From Away in Gander.

Congratulations Paul!