VIP Experience Training_ Ebony Rose Dark aka Mickel

Section	Description
Introduction	Introductions Establishing participants’ current experience and understanding of visual impairment.
Introduction to guiding & directing VI customers	Trust exercise, exploring how to support customers who a) want to be guided; b) want to be directed but not guided. Participants will practice guiding/directing their partners through a clear space while their partners are blindfolded. Participants will then practice guiding/directing their partners to tables and chairs.
Identifying and greeting VI customers	Identifying VI customers Recognising that that there are many forms of visual impairment, and that some forms are less visible than others. Different forms of visual impairment will require different levels and types of support. Greeting VI customers VI customers require clear and more detailed communication than non-VI customers.
Communicating with VI customers	Description skills whilst guiding/directing VI customers through the bar or club, covering: How busy the space is; Steps and levels; The shape and layout of the space; Location of toilets; Items on tables (e.g candles); Additional spaces within the venue, e.g other floors, quiet spaces, garden or smoking area. Giving support to VI customers at the bar or table. Some VI customers will have additional learning disabilities e.g autism. We will cover additional considerations.
Seating VI customers	Being mindful of where you are seating VI  customers. We will explore the key priorities.
Ongoing support for VI customers during their visit	Awareness of VI customers throughout their visit Checking in on VI customers. Being on-hand to offer additional support to VI customers. Exploring vulnerabilities VI people are more vulnerable to.
Managing guide dogs	Some VI customers may require their guide dog to navigate them to the venue. Guidance on supporting customers with guide dogs.
Closing	Questions

Date: Monday 25th of April 2022.

Time: 13.30 – 15.30.

Aimed at: LGBTQ+ venues

Place: In person @ Possability Place, 14 Windlesham Ave, Brighton BN1 3AH.

Cost: £15 per person.

Commitment: The training will be 2 hours long with both group discussion and movement elements.

Safety: We will be following all public health guidelines, which we understand may be subject to change in the coming months. 

Booking will open on Wednesday 30th of March 2022 through our website. 

• Visit ‘Classes & Workshop Page here. 
• Scroll Down to the green drop down menus. 
• Complete the form under VIP Experience Training. 
• One of our team will then be in touch with payment details. 
• Once payment has been made our Treasurer will confirm that it has been received and we will send you further details about the workshop, along with information on how to get to the training. 

There are limited spaces on the training so please book as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. 

Bio:

Ebony Rose Dark aka Mickel is a visually impaired cabaret performance artist based in Brighton. Ebony’s background is in contemporary, ballet, contact improvisation, tango, Indian dance & African Caribbean dance. They have toured & worked with Candoco & Jérôme Bel, Akram Khan, Matthias Sperling, Gabby Agis & Wolfgang Stanger (Amici Dance Theatre Company). They have led community dance workshops in London, Glasgow & Berlin. They are a cabaret performer, currently in residence at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Bar Wotever. Collaborations on this scene include with artists such as David Hoyle, Miss Kimberley & The Marlborough Productions, including going to Toronto as part of Crippling The Arts Festival.

Photo by Ben Brooks