DEL Dance for Students with Disabilities Workshop
February 17, 2026
In-Person
February 17, 2026
Time: 9AM-3PM
Pricing: $90 (plus $20 processing fee)
Location: In-Person at the 92nd Street Y, New York (NYC)
Instructors:
Diane Duggan and Sandi Stratton-Gonzalez
Dance for Students with Disabilities, with Diane Duggan and Sandi Stratton-Gonzalez
This full-day workshop is designed to meet the needs of dance educators, dance/movement therapists, teaching artists, physical education teachers, classroom teachers, and related service providers who work with students with disabilities in school, community, and studio settings.
Led by two dance educators with extensive experience in special education settings, the workshop will introduce concepts, strategies, and activities for working with students with disabilities through dance. Grounded in an asset-based approach, the intensive emphasizes respect for diversity in the classroom and focuses on students’ strengths and skills, rather than deficits.
Topics addressed will include: structuring the dance classroom, responding to sensory needs, providing visual supports, and supporting meaningful participation and student engagement through behavior supports. Much of the content will be applicable to students with a wide range of disabilities, and additional activities will focus on supporting students with specific disabilities such as autism, emotional disabilities, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, and multiple disabilities.
The workshop will include a combination of PowerPoint presentations, movement experiences, discussions, and small-group work. Participants will also have time for reflection and collaborative discussion on ways to apply the material for their own students and teaching contexts.
This workshop will be held from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM with a 1-hour lunch break. Lunch will be provided.
Meet Your Instructors
Dr. Diane Duggan
Diane Duggan, PhD, BC-DMT is a NYS licensed psychologist, board certified dance/movement therapist and dance educator. From 1973 to 2013 she created and taught therapeutic dance programs for students with multiple disabilities, autism, intellectual and learning disabilities, and emotional and behavioral disorders. Much of her work is based in choreography,...
Sandi Stratton-Gonzalez
Sandi Stratton-Gonzalez, MA, is the Manager of the Arnhold Support Programs for Dance Educators, teaches Dance for Children with Disabilities for the National Dance Education Organization and works as a freelance curriculum writer and professional learning facilitator. For over 20 years, Sandi taught at The Children’s School (PS 372) in...