A Vision for Access

Thirty years ago, Betty Siegel had a simple vision. She wanted to see more accessible cultural spaces in Austin, Texas. From that vision grew a movement to support accessibility in the arts for everyone.

It started with the idea to introduce audio description in theaters. Audio description is a narrative service that provides verbal descriptions of key visual elements in media and live performances, making them accessible to individuals who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired. Betty and Audley Blackburn, who was involved with the American Council of the Blind, understood the power of audio description to break down barriers in arts, film, and educational materials. Their organization was initially called Access Art Austin. The work was exciting and challenging. With the help of a small group of volunteers, it kept growing.

Growing Into Something Bigger

Betty never dreamed that it would transform her into a role as an arts advocate and leader in the field of accessibility. She simply loved the opportunity to get to know so many people in both the theatre and disability community. In the process, she learned three things: 

• The arts contribute to the wholeness of our communities
• Everyone has an obligation to ensure that people with disabilities can contribute to the wholeness of the arts
• Building community - and including community - are essential to the process of creating access to the arts.

Where It All Begins

Access Art Austin morphed into VSA Arts Texas. In 1999, Betty left the organization and Central Texas to pursue a leadership role at the Kennedy Center. 

Today, as Art Spark Texas, the organization still provides audio description for performances, musicals, operas, theater productions, and film screenings in the Austin and San Antonio area. Additional services include trainings, presentations, and consultation for museums, web designers and community organizations who want to ensure their offerings are accessible to everyone. 

This is the first in our series of 30 Stories for 30 Years, a celebration of the history, mission, vision, and impact of Art Spark Texas across the Central Texas region. We start with Betty to mark the path forward, centering artists with disabilities, building community together, and, ultimately, using art as a claim on public space for the purpose of broad, accessible social, cultural, and civic engagement. 

Learn more about the evolution of our Audio Description program here.