Professional Flair/Dancing Wheels, as one of the first companies in the country to integrate dance for individuals with and without disabilities, and long recognized as an authority on accessibility to the arts for people of all disabilities, is proud to be acknowledged throughout the world as a leader of integrated dance and careers in the arts for people with disabilities. Now entering its 24 th year, Professional Flair/Dancing Wheels continues in its mission to educate, integrate and employ people with and without disabilities in the arts through outreach activities, public performances and advocacy.

The purpose of the organization is to afford people with a disability a unique learning and performing experience in the arts--an experience that provides equality and integration of individuals with and without disabilities whose origins and ages are wide and diverse.

*To develop activities between individuals with and without disabilities that expand opportunities for integration in the arts

*To dispel negative myths and stereotypes surrounding the employment of individuals with disabilities in professional careers, primarily in the arts

*To offer individuals with disabilities positive role models that are motivated, independent, creative an d successful

*To instill a greater understanding and level of professionalism in individuals with and without disabilities

Our vision is to utilize the arts as a vehicle to broaden thinking and resolve issues of inclusion facing people with disabilities. Through our performances and innovative programs that integrate arts and recreational activities with career opportunities and training, Professional Flair/Dancing Wheels is committed to changing the apathy, negativity and fear that surrounds the education, employment and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the arts by providing equal access to the arts for all people of all abilities.

Born with spina bifida and using a wheelchair for mobility, Mary Verdi-Fletcher faced enormous challenges in her quest to dance professionally. Undaunted by the struggle, Mary forged ahead and created Dancing Wheels in 1980, one of the nation's first professional modern dance companies to integrate highly skilled stand-up and sit-down (wheelchair users) dancers. The immediate and continuing success of this venture confirmed the need for people with disabilities to have access to the arts as participants and spectators and led to the establishment of Professional Flair, Inc. in 1989. Professional Flair is a 501© 3 nonprofit organization that, in addition to serving as the parent organization for Dancing Wheels, provides career opportunities and training in the arts for people with disabilities.

Through the School of Dancing Wheels in our fully accessible studios, the organization provides Community Dance Classes, Summer Dance Workshops, Theatre Arts Camps, Teacher Training Workshops and specialized classes in Cleveland as well as lecture/performances, workshops, residencies and main stage performances both at home and nationwide, annually reaching over 120,000 individuals in the greater Cleveland area and throughout the country. Through these innovative programs that integrate arts and recreational activities with career opportunities and training, we are committed to changing the apathy, negativity and fear that surrounds the education, employment and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the arts.