Acceptance, not awareness, key to fostering inclusivity in the arts

Ammanda Zelinski has always gravitated towardsinging, dancing and performing.

"She's never had much for other interests," said Ammanda's mother, Kim Zelinski.

"From the time she was very small, it wasn't even safe to stand between her and an empty stage."

Ammanda's first taste of creative success came when she was about sevenand submitted a poem that was chosen to be published in a book.

"I won 50 bucks from there. For a second grader, that's big money," Ammanda said.

Since then, the 27-year-old Regina woman has experienced many special moments as an artist.

Ammanda was diagnosed withautism just before her third birthday.

She says her parents were thrown for a loop, but they were toldshe could still lead a long and independent life, with the proper supports in place.

One place that provides support is the Autism Resource Centre in Regina.Diandra Nicolson,an employment co-ordinator there, works with young adults after high school to figure out what kinds of jobs they might be interested inand help them reach their goals.

"They are the most dependable employees. Since they prefer their routinesso, like, strict and scheduled, [they're] always going to show up on time," Nicolson said. "They bring a unique perspective to things."

Making friends wasn't always easy for Ammanda. She saysshe often felt a step behind socially, but that changed as she grew more involved in the artistic community.

"Theatredefinitely did help me with my communication skills," Ammanda said. "Pretty much all of performance in general acting, singing, dancing it all goes into one."

Ammanda's performing earned herscholarships. In addition to earning her bachelor of arts at the University of Regina, and performing in commercials and film, Zelinski has worked with Listen to Dis', Saskatchewan's only arts organizationled by and for people with disabilities.

Traci Foster is the founder and artistic director of Listen to Dis'. The group's mandate is toshiftthe way people perceive disability and createunderstanding of, and appreciation for,"crip art, mad art, and disability culture."

She says it's important for people in the arts to have lived experiences and varying perspectives, whether they are neurodiverse or not.

Foster also says it's important that everyone gets paid for their work.

"[People with disabilities] were still maybe aligned a little bit with, like, 'somebody's doing me a favour if they let me come and work with them', as opposed to building the confidence to understand the talentand the skill that they had," Foster said.

Ammandawants to keepcreatinginclusive artusing her perspective and life experience.

"With more acceptance of autism not awareness,acceptance we can continue pushing the narrative forward."

Mark Claxton, an actor and executive director of the Saskatchewan Association of Theatre Professionals, says parents should be delighted if their children are interested in the arts.

"It means their kids are legitimately curious about the world, really intelligent, you know, and want their lives to be meaningful," Claxton said. "Who doesn't want that for their kid?"

Ammanda's motherKim agrees, and is proud of everything her daughter has accomplished through passion, hard work and determination.

"I definitely need her as much as she needs me. I always will," Kim said.

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