Accessibility
The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation are committed to the inclusivity of Poetry Out Loud. Accessibility is considered at all levels, from the development of program materials to the planning of competitions.
Poetry Out Loud must not exclude or limit student participation based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or disability in compliance with federal law and regulations, in terms of both facilities and programs. For more information, please contact the NEA and see the NEA website.
Accessibility Accommodations at State and National Finals
A school champion who requires any accommodations in order to compete at the regional or state finals should notify the state Poetry Out Loud coordinator immediately upon being selected as school champion.
A state champion who requires any accommodations in order to compete in the National Finals should notify the National Endowment for the Arts Poetry Out Loud Program Manager immediately upon being selected as state champion.
American Sign Language (ASL) and Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud was piloted at a school for the deaf during the 2008-09 school year, providing us the framework to create a national model for including deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Poetry Out Loud. The following materials will help you include deaf and hard-of-hearing students in your own school.