Beyond the Norm

In Nepal, civic and cultural spaces often remain out of reach for individuals with disabilities due to inaccessible infrastructure, communication barriers, and social stigma. At Diverse Patterns, we believe this exclusion is not just a matter of inaccessibility—it is a missed opportunity for creativity, inclusion, and meaningful participation.

To address this gap, Diverse Patterns partnered with the British Council to develop Beyond the Norm—a project aimed at promoting accessibility in arts and cultural events across Nepal. The initiative grew from years of collaboration, including our work in making the Nepal International Theatre Festival more accessible and learning from global examples like the Unlimited Festival in London.

Through these experiences, it became clear that many event organizers in Nepal want to make their events inclusive but don’t know where to start. There is a clear need for practical, local guidance on planning accessible events that include disabled audiences and artists. Beyond the Norm responds to this need.

The project brings together our lived experiences, field knowledge, and learnings from global best practices to develop a resource that can serve both as inspiration and instruction. It is our effort to ensure that inclusion in arts and culture is no longer seen as optional but as essential.

Project Output: A Practical Guide to Accessible Events

The main outcome of this project is the publication of Beyond the Norm: A Practical Guide to Inclusive Festivals and Events. This short, easy-to-use book is designed for artists, curators, cultural institutions, and event planners who want to make their events more accessible.

Whether you are planning a local theatre festival, a digital art exhibition, or a community workshop, the guide offers practical tips and real-world examples to help you create environments that welcome everyone. It covers both virtual and in-person events, with suggestions on accessible venues, communication formats, signage, staff training, and more.

Our hope is that this guide serves as a starting point—a spark for organizations and individuals to go beyond the norm and build a cultural sector that reflects the full diversity of our society.