Disabled dancers can access all areas

Showing at the Tramway,

Adam Sloan from Clarkston and Hayley Earlam from Newton Mearns — part of Indepen-dance 4 — opened the festival last Thursday. The performance entitled

Another southsider taking part, Jodie Taylor from King’s Park danced on Friday night with Paragon and YDance’s youth dance ensemble Blast M3 in Into the Light.

The brainchild of Karen Anderson, artistic director of the inclusive dance company Indepen-dance,

She said: “Our aim is to use this event as a catalyst to encourage more people to be involved in dance regardless of their disability.”

Adam Sloan, from Netherlee, said: “It’s been the biggest thing ever to have happened to me. Seeing it all happen and to dance all together has had a big impact and made a huge difference to me.”

Hayley Earlam, from Newton Mearns, said: “I felt very privileged to perform in front of those I greatly admire, the leaders of integrated dance.”

Jodie Taylor, from King’s Park, added: “It’s really important that people like myself, and others who have additional support needs, get equal opportunities to learn new skills and meet new friends.”