Photo of two musicians in a home studio with small multicoloured lights reflecting on the ceiling. Meghan, a mixed-race woman with light-medium skin tone plays a keyboard and sings into a microphone in the foreground, wearing headphones and a black long-sleeved top with checkered pants. Her hair is tied up in a bun and she is focused on performing. In the background, an African Nova Scotian musician with curly hair and a moustache plays violin while wearing a bright green Adidas t-shirt. Recording equipment and soundproofing panels are visible around them.

Image Description: Photo of two musicians in a home studio with small multicoloured lights reflecting on the ceiling. Meghan, a mixed-race woman with light-medium skin tone plays a keyboard and sings into a microphone in the foreground, wearing headphones and a black long-sleeved top with checkered pants. Her hair is tied up in a bun and she is focused on performing. In the background, an African Nova Scotian musician with curly hair and a moustache plays violin while wearing a bright green Adidas t-shirt. Recording equipment and soundproofing panels are visible around them.

Meghan Sivani-Merrigan (she/her) is the founder of Halifax-based Apex Arts Access Consulting and the creator of the Better Backstages Accessibility toolkit. With nearly two decades of experience as a touring musician, live sound engineer, and former venue owner-operator combined with her personal experience with disability, she provides a ground-level, expert understanding of accessibility barriers within arts spaces. Her work is dedicated to continuous learning and providing venues and arts organizations with practical, actionable strategies for building a more inclusive stage for everyone.

Website: https://www.apexartsaccess.com/ Better Backstages Accessibility Toolkit: www.betterbackstages.ca

Sessions:

**Better Backstages: Accessibility Hacks October 10, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Presenter: Meghan Sivani-Merrigan Location: Studio 2** How accessible is your venue, really? This interactive workshop, facilitated by Meghan Sivani-Merrigan, founder of Halifax-based Apex Arts Access and creator of the Better Backstages Accessibility Toolkit, provides a framework to help you find out on your own. Attendees will first get a brief overview of the four modules within the comprehensive toolkit, which covers a wide range of topics from physical accessibility to access riders, nightlife safety, harm reduction, and arts sector workers rights.

With a focus on Module 1: The Built Environment, participants will then work together in teams to conduct a real-world audit of the studio space, creating a live snapshot of its accessibility. They will learn ways to identify physical barriers and brainstorm practical, non-structural changes that work with existing space, staffing, and budgets. Attendees will leave equipped with the skills to evaluate their own spaces and implement immediate, low-cost improvements, with no renovation required!