All Kids Included – Accessible Arts Experiences for Kids (AKI) promotes inclusive arts and cultural programs in school settings and throughout the community so that kids of all abilities and their families can participate fully in the arts. The AKI Steering Group is comprised of over 50 expert individuals representing the interests of children with disabilities and helps guide the work of the AKI initiative.
AKI’s purpose is to increase the number of quality arts experiences accessible to children with disabilities and their families, and to promote the benefit and importance of inclusionary arts and cultural programs both in school settings and the community. This is done by making resources available to non-profit organizations, including funding, ideas, information, technical assistance and programs.
Currently, there are more than a dozen model demonstration projects being developed and/or implemented through the AKI initiative, including: the annual All Kids Included Family Arts Festival, the Going to the Show and Going to the Museum guides for new audiences and visitors, the Sensory-Friendly Access Symbol and Sensory-Friendly Toolkit for Cultural Organizations, the Shadow Interpreted Theater Program for Children and Families, and Youth Arts in the Parks.
The All Kids Included – Accessible Art Experiences for Kids (AKI) initiative was developed by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs in 2006 and is made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, and in part through grant funding provided by The Children’s Trust. The Children's Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.