The Disability Collective
The Disability Collective is a Toronto-based, disability-led charitable arts organization that produces accessible multidisciplinary arts programming — including festivals, drag and comedy shows, a leadership conference, and touring theatre — for disabled artists, the disability community, and arts organizations seeking accessibility consultation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Disability Collective does
The Disability Collective (TDC) is a Toronto-based charitable not-for-profit organization founded in 2020 and registered as a Canadian charity (Registration Number 772507745 RR 0001). It is described in its own materials as the only fully disability-led multidisciplinary arts organization in Toronto, producing accessible arts programming exclusively for and by disabled artists. Its portfolio spans recurring festivals (The Disability Arts Festival, Disability Holiday Festival, Disability Artisan Market), signature ticketed events (CRIPtonite drag and burlesque show, Sit Down Comedy Show, CripCab, Crip Café, Rocky Horror Picture Show with an all-Deaf shadow cast), touring productions (Dial 1 for UK), the DIScover Conference on accessibility leadership, a podcast hosted on Buzzsprout, a virtual marketplace for disabled artisans, and consultation and accessibility services offered to other arts organizations. Events feature comprehensive accommodations including ASL interpretation, audio description, open captions, relaxed performances, sensory-friendly hours, and quiet spaces, and are priced on a pay-what-you-can basis with many community events free of charge.
The organization's revenue model is multi-stream and nonprofit-typical: it relies primarily on donations and fundraising (with online tax-receipted giving), grants from federal, provincial, and municipal arts funders (Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, City of Toronto, Toronto Arts Council, Government of Ontario), corporate sponsorships (notably TD Ready Commitment), foundation support (Community One Foundation, The William and Nona Heaslip Foundation, The 519), individual ticket revenue (mostly pay-what-you-can), and earned professional services revenue from accessibility consultation contracts with other arts organizations. Its customer base is correspondingly non-commercial: disabled artists who receive paid platforms to showcase and sell work, members of the disability community and allies who attend events, and arts organizations purchasing accessibility consultation and conference attendance.
TDC does not operate proprietary technology. Its infrastructure consists of a Wix-hosted website, a Sender.net newsletter, a Buzzsprout podcast feed, Pheedloop for conference ticketing, and standard venue box-office and partner systems. Its distribution combines direct online ticket sales, partner venue box offices, virtual livestream options, and free in-person community programming. Geographic operations expanded from a single city (Toronto) to three Canadian cities (Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver) with the 2026 Dial 1 for UK tour, and the team is led by Artistic Director Emily Maxwell and Managing Director Nathan Sartore alongside a Director of Accessibility & Consultation, a Marketing Manager, and foundation-supported intern capacity.
The Disability Collective firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Disability Collective
- Legal name
- The Disability Collective
- Website
- https://thedisabilitycollective.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Disability Collective is a Toronto-based, disability-led charitable arts organization that produces accessible multidisciplinary arts programming — including festivals, drag and comedy shows, a leadership conference, and touring theatre — for disabled artists, the disability community, and arts organizations seeking accessibility consultation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Disability Collective industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Arts & Cultural Programming
- NAICS
- Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy (BPAGAFAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD)
Keywords
Where The Disability Collective is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Disability Collective business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: As a charitable not-for-profit organization, The Disability Collective relies heavily on donations from the community. They have donation tiers and receive charitable tax receipts for online donations. Their charitable registration number is 772507745 RR 0001.
- Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from ticketed events including CRIPtonite, Dial 1 for UK, film screenings, and conference passes. Events typically use pay-what-you-can pricing model to ensure accessibility.
- Consultation and Accessibility Services: The organization offers consultation services to other arts organizations on accessibility and disability inclusion, generating professional services revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Pay-What-You-Can tickets with subsidized pricing structure |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Disability Collective product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Disability Collective produces, curates, and hosts disability-led multidisciplinary arts events and digital programming, including the annual Disability Arts Festival, Disability Holiday Market/Festival, CRIPtonite drag and burlesque show, Disability Artisan Market, Sit Down Comedy Show, Rocky Horror Picture Show with an all-Deaf shadow cast, and touring theatrical productions such as Dial 1 for UK. The organization also convenes the DIScover accessibility leadership conference, publishes a podcast, maintains an online directory of disability-led shops (Virtual Marketplace), and offers paid accessibility consultation services to other arts organizations.
Product overview
The Disability Collective (TDC) is a charitable not-for-profit arts organization, not a technology product company. TDC operates a portfolio of disability-led arts events and programs rather than a unified software platform. The core offerings include: The Disability Arts Festival (multidisciplinary arts festival), CRIPtonite (drag and burlesque show), DIScover Conference (leadership conference), the Disability Holiday Market/Festival, Disability Artisan Market, Sit Down Comedy Show, Rocky Horror Picture Show with all-Deaf shadow cast, and various theatrical productions like Dial 1 for UK. Digital offerings consist of a podcast on Buzzsprout, a virtual marketplace for disabled artisan shops, and consultation services. Events feature extensive accessibility supports including ASL interpretation, audio description, open captions, relaxed performances, and sensory-friendly accommodations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Disability Arts Festival: Annual summer festival celebrating disability arts with performances, film screenings, artisan market, and community activities.
- CRIPtonite
- DIScover Conference
- Disability Holiday Festival
- Disability Artisan Market
Products and services
- The Disability Arts Festival Annual multidisciplinary arts festival celebrating disability arts, featuring over 40 disabled artisan vendors, live performances, film screenings, games, crafts, food and drink vendors, and community activities at Wychwood Barns and Tarragon Theatre. For audiences including the disability community, their families, and allies.
- CRIPtonite Deaf and disability-led drag and burlesque variety show celebrating the intersectionality of queer and disabled identities, presented at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre with in-person and livestream options.
- DIScover Conference Two-day leadership conference bringing together arts professionals, accessibility advocates, and community members to advance accessibility and disability inclusion in the arts, featuring workshops and panel discussions.
- Disability Holiday Market/Festival Annual holiday-themed artisan market featuring work created by disabled artists, with crafts, food, drinks, gifts, and community-building activities at Wychwood Barns.
- Disability Artisan Market Outdoor artisan market featuring work created solely by disabled artists, with arts and crafts, live music from disabled musicians, and food and drinks from community vendors.
- Sit Down Comedy Show Comedy show showcasing the comedic talents and unique perspectives of disabled comedians, presented in partnership with The Theatre Centre and ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto.
- Rocky Horror Picture Show (All-Deaf Shadow Cast) ASL-interpreted screening of the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show featuring an all-Deaf shadow cast, presented at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.
- Dial 1 for UK Award-winning solo theatre production written and performed by neurodivergent West End star Mohit Mathur (Life of Pi), exploring immigration, care work, and digital illusion through the story of a call-center agent in New Delhi.
- Crip Café Relaxed event space for disabled and queer folks to gather and connect, featuring live performances including music, poetry, comedy, and spoken word at Glad Day Bookshop.
- CripCab Queer and disability-led cabaret variety show celebrating the intersectionality of queer and disabled identities, presented during Buddies in Bad Times Theatre's Queer Pride Festival.
- Write Us In Virtual reading and Q&A event exploring the intersection of disability and queerness in literature, featuring disabled and queer writers with ASL interpretation and captions.
- ART IS MOVEMENT Virtual online celebration of disabled artists and creators, serving as both a showcase and fundraiser for the organization.
- What Happened to You? Heart-warming puppet theatre production for children and families created by Nikki Charlesworth from the UK, challenging traditional puppetry by making puppets that reflect her own disability.
- Waiting in the Wings No More Inclusive dance collaboration between Stopgap Dance Company's Lucy Bennett and Propeller Dance's Renata Soutter, examining disability experience, pride, joy, and culture.
- 20 Years Later: The (In)Accessibility of Ontario Photography exhibition showcasing the shortcomings of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the longstanding impacts on the d/Deaf and disabled community in Ontario.
- The Disability Collective Podcast Podcast channel hosted on Buzzsprout featuring content related to disability arts, culture, and community.
- Virtual Marketplace Online directory of disability-led shops and businesses from around the world, enabling virtual shopping and support for disabled artists.
- Consultation & Accessibility Services Professional consultation services offered by The Disability Collective to help arts organizations improve accessibility and disability inclusion in their programming and operations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 40 disabled artisan vendors participate in annual festivals
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Disability Collective
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Disability Collective technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Disability Collective partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Buddies in Bad Times TheatrecoreToronto's leading 2SLGBTQ+ theatre serving as primary venue partner for CRIPtonite, Rocky Horror Picture Show, CripCab, and other events. TDC served as Emerging Company in Residence.
- Tarragon TheatrecoreMajor Toronto theatre venue hosting The Disability Arts Festival events, What Happened to You? puppet show, and Dial 1 for UK performances.
- Wychwood Barns / Artscape Wychwood BarnscoreVenue host for The Disability Arts Festival (Sunday programming), Disability Holiday Festival, and Disability Artisan Market events.
- Wagner-Green Centre for Access and InclusionmajorCo-presenter of the Disability Holiday Market and Disability Artisan Market events, bringing accessibility expertise and community connections.
- The Theatre CentrecoreToronto venue partner hosting the Sit Down Comedy Show 2025.
- Vertigo Theatre (Calgary)minorCalgary venue hosting Dial 1 for UK performances as part of the Canadian tour.
- Presentation House Theatre (Vancouver)minorVancouver co-presenter for Dial 1 for UK, hosting performances as part of the Canadian tour.
- Native Earth's Aki StudiocoreIndigenous theatre venue hosting the inaugural DIScover Conference 2025.
- Meridian Arts CentrecoreNorth York arts venue hosting the DIScover Conference 2026.
- Miles Nadal JCCminorJewish community centre partnering on early Disability Holiday Market events.
- Luminato Festival TorontomajorMajor Toronto arts festival featuring The Disability Collective at Luminato in the Square event.
- Fall for Dance NorthmajorDance festival co-presenting Waiting in the Wings No More with The Disability Collective.
- ReelAbilities Film Festival TorontocoreCo-presenter of the Sit Down Comedy Show, partnership bringing disability comedy programming.
- Voices with ImpactmajorOrganization providing disability and mental health-focused film content for The Disability Arts Festival.
- Toronto Fringe FestivalmajorToronto theatre festival hosting Disability Artisan Pop-Up Market and co-presenting Rocky Horror Picture Show as part of Next Stage Theatre Festival.
- Safe Air CollectiveminorProvides air purifiers for indoor event spaces to ensure COVID safety and air quality.
- WhimbleminorPersonal care attendant service available at The Disability Arts Festival for guests requiring assistance with Activities of Daily Living.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Disability Collective competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stopgap Dance Company: UK-based inclusive dance company whose work TDC has co-presented in Toronto. Comparable as an integrated/disability-led performing-arts company.
- Tangled Art + Disability: Toronto-based disability-led arts organization operating gallery, performance, and community programming. Closest comparable peer given shared mission, Toronto geography, and disability-led multidisciplinary arts focus.
- Propeller Dance: Canada-based integrated dance company featuring disabled and non-disabled performers. Comparable as an inclusive performing-arts organization; TDC has co-presented inclusive dance work with Propeller.
- ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto: Disability-focused film festival with a Toronto edition that has co-presented TDC programming. Comparable as a disability-arts presenting organization rather than a producer.
Broad incumbents
- Luminato Festival Toronto: Major Toronto arts festival that has featured TDC programming. Comparable as a large multidisciplinary presenting organization with overlapping audiences.
- Buddies in Bad Times Theatre: Toronto's largest LGBTQ+ theatre and TDC's primary venue partner, where TDC served as Emerging Company in Residence. Comparable as an arts presenter operating at much larger scale.
- Fall for Dance North: Toronto dance festival that co-presented inclusive programming with TDC. Comparable as a performing-arts festival operator.
- Tarragon Theatre: Major Toronto theatre venue hosting multiple TDC events. Comparable as a presenting theatre organization in overlapping venue relationships.
Regional players
- Disability Without Poverty: Canadian cross-disability coalition. Comparable as a national disability advocacy organization using cultural and public-facing programming to advance rights.
Others
- Coalition of Museums for Climate Justice: Canadian arts/culture advocacy network. Listed because TDC participates in similar advocacy ecosystems; not a directly competing arts operator.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Disability Collective social profiles
Digital presenceThe Disability Collective financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Disability Collective leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
The Disability Collective funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Disability Collective M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Disability Collective
What does The Disability Collective do?
The Disability Collective produces, curates, and hosts disability-led multidisciplinary arts events and digital programming, including the annual Disability Arts Festival, Disability Holiday Market/Festival, CRIPtonite drag and burlesque show, Disability Artisan Market, Sit Down Comedy Show, Rocky Horror Picture Show with an all-Deaf shadow cast, and touring theatrical productions such as Dial 1 for UK. The organization also convenes the DIScover accessibility leadership conference, publishes a podcast, maintains an online directory of disability-led shops (Virtual Marketplace), and offers paid accessibility consultation services to other arts organizations.
Is The Disability Collective a public or private company?
The Disability Collective is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Disability Collective founded?
The Disability Collective was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Disability Collective based?
The Disability Collective is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does The Disability Collective make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are ticket Sales and consultation and Accessibility Services.
Who are The Disability Collective's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stopgap Dance Company, Tangled Art + Disability, Propeller Dance and ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto. Broad incumbents are Luminato Festival Toronto, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Fall for Dance North and Tarragon Theatre. Disability Without Poverty is listed as a regional player. Coalition of Museums for Climate Justice is listed as an others.
Does The Disability Collective have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Disability Collective.
What industry is The Disability Collective in?
The Disability Collective's product category is Disability Arts & Cultural Programming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAF, Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy, with a secondary code of BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech). Its NAICS code is 7111 and its SIC code is 7990.