Poetry for All
"Accessibility is more than a ramp and a fidgit spinner: accessibility is everything" - a comment from 2023 Poetry for All supporter
Poetry For All is an annual event designed to provide disabled poets and audiences a live poetry event with as many barriers removed as possible:
- Level floor throughout
- Excellent acoustics for blind/VI folks
- BSL interpretation for D/deaf people
- All poems projected on a screen for HoH people
Poetry for All is (still!) unique: BSL interpreted, in a fully level venue, with fantastic acoustics for folks who rely on their ears. All poems projected on a screen for folks who need to see the words. PAs/carers free, service dogs welcome.
2024 Headliners: Rick Dove and FR Kesby!
Live streamed for even more accessibility.
Who is poetry for all for?
For everyone who loves poetry! For hearing, seeing audiences who can walk just fine. For disabled poets who would welcome an opportunity to have their words translated into BSL, in a space with excellent acoustics for blind/VI folks, and who would be grateful to not need to worry about stairs if they use mobility devices. For disabled audiences too. PfA brings communities together and provides everyone with the opportunity to see into other lives and experiences.
Many people have SO many options to get to an event, where they can hear what's going on, can climb stairs, can see what's what. Poetry For All was designed to be accessible. For the past few years, we've been joined by students from YSJ's BSL / Deaf studies programme.
Dream Catcher Support
Dream Catcher has always supported this event since it was first presented by Stairwell Books and York Spoken Word. However Dream Catcher has actively supported the event editorially and by highlighting the event on the back page from 2023 onwards.
Dream Catcher readers actively offered funding for the 2024 event: Thank you.
We would like to continue our relationship with readers, subscribers and contributors by providing an opportunity for further direct support. Below are two links, one to bolster the shortfall in our 2024 funding (any surplus will be vired to 2025)
And one to allow for direct support for 2025.

...and for the future...
Please plan NOW to come to this performance. Your support in person is so important to creative folk who are so often marginalised. There is often time after the event to meet the performers and some of the students who support the event.
And even More
We are developing a model that can be used to create a network of similar performances throughout the country. We can't do it all but we can help event managers and bookers source performers, interpreters and venues to make this a real part of British culture.
For further information contact rose@stairwellbooks.com