8/13

Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts

Address
Kongens Nytorv 1, 1050 København K
Website
kadk.dk

Rating

Inaccessible

Barriers

  • Majority of buildings and facilities are physically inaccessible: The academy is located in a prestigious, historically protected “listed” building alongside neighboring formerly residential buildings, much of the classrooms and studio spaces are not accessible by elevator. On top of its current built infrastructure it is the only institution in Denmark where you can obtain an academic university degree in the fine arts, and according to the ministry of education the academy must make accommodations to your access needs only to a “reasonable degree” what defines reasonable is highly debatable. For example because of the nature of a fine arts degree you need to be able to have your studio space on school grounds for critiques and access to materials etc.. but since I cannot leave my home that frequently would they allow me to have my studio in my home, bring my classmates and teachers to do critiques off school grounds and attend class sessions online? Also the academy is notoriously difficult to be admitted to, the solution most aspiring art student have is to apply to many schools across Denmark and internationally but since I cannot move because I am highly reliant on my current care team and disability resources, should I receive higher priority as it is the only art school that would be even remotely possible for me to attend?
  • Impacts current disability social benefits: Accepting a study place or in some cases even applying would jeopardize my current right to disability social benefits which took a long process to even be granted in the first place. Should there be other resources available that do not impact those on disability social benefits? Unfortunately with all these barriers in mind it is impossible to match the same level of network building, resources and opportunities that come from an education at the Academy which leaves those of us with a disability that prevents us from accessing this type of education at a major disadvantage.
  • Unclear communication on access measures: The school does not communicate themselves on your right to study there, instead the responsibility is placed on the Education Ministry and even the individual municipality to determine if your access needs can be met to complete the education. This is a very confusing process and often requires hiring a private social worker to help figure out your rights within this system.
  • Poor communication in instances of temporary inaccessibility: As is the case with all facilities reliant on elevators to provide access, they can often break and the spaces then become inaccessible. Unfortunately, the one time I did try to visit the academy for an event both elevators had been out of service for days but never communicated that they were broken, meaning that I wasted the little amount of energy I already have only to have to immediately return home. Even in bringing this issue to their attention, I was offered an apology for the inconvenience and explained why they broke but they did not comprehend my main issue and the importance of communicating this as soon as it happens.

Measures

  • Most exhibiting locations and open studio events are accessible by ramp or elevators (when they are not broken).