2026 LEAD Award Recipients - 2026 Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD)

Ava Xiao-Lin Rigelhaupt is an Emmy Award-winning writer. Ava's episode, "The Fall," on the PBS KIDS show, CARL THE COLLECTOR, received an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Series! Currently, she's working on an unreleased APPLE TV feature film. She's written and consulted on scripts for 9Story Media (BLUE’S CLUES, DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD), Apple TV (CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH), and Disney (THE GHOST AND MOLLY MCCGEE). Ava received a Drama Desk Special Award for Authentic Autistic Representation, recognizing her accessibility work as the Creative Consultant for the Broadway coming of age musical, HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO(follows seven autistic young adults at a social skills center as they prepare for a dance. Broadway 2023). As a Chinese, Jewish, neurodiverse, transracial adoptee, Ava shares her lived experiences in a way that’s easily understandable and entertaining for a wide audience. As an often called upon public speaker and panelist, Ava shares best practices working with the neurodiverse community, creating authentic characters, tools for producing accessible events, and how her own identity breaks stereotypes! Highlights: Disney, Netflix, Kennedy Center LEAD, The New York Times, Stanford University Neurodiversity Conference.

Overture Center for the Arts, in Madison, Wisconsin, is thrilled to accept the 2026 LEAD Community Asset Award.

Founded on the belief that the arts should be accessible to everyone, Overture Center for the Arts has made accessibility and belonging a central part of its mission and organizational culture.

Over the past five years, Overture Center has undertaken a renewed and intentional focus on ensuring that every guest can fully participate in the performing arts experience. Through collaboration across departments and a deep commitment to removing barriers, the organization has implemented innovative initiatives that have transformed access for audiences and artists alike.

Among these efforts is the development of a comprehensive live Audio Description and Tactile Tour program for blind and low-vision guests, providing meaningful opportunities to experience performances through enhanced storytelling and hands-on exploration. Overture Center also designed and introduced Accessibility Hubs throughout its facility, allowing guests to easily access assistive tools and services that support their individual needs.

These initiatives are made possible through the collective efforts of dedicated staff, volunteers, house managers, technicians and administrators who share a common goal: creating extraordinary experiences where every person feels welcomed, valued and included.

As a community gathering place and cultural home for South Central Wisconsin, Overture Center believes that access is not simply a program—it is a promise. Through its continued commitment to belonging, the organization strives to ensure that the transformative power of the arts can be experienced by all.

Charles G. Baldwin is the Program Officer for Access and Inclusion at the Mass Cultural Council. He leads the Agency’s Universal Participation Initiative (UP), a community of practice in inclusive design, and hosts monthly Access Office Hours. Charles assisted with development of the Agency’s d/Deaf and Disability Equity Plan, guided the Agency’s Disability Advisory Committee, leads the Arts and Culture Self-Assessment working group, and partners with Open Door Arts on the development of the Arts Access Hub. He was an instigator in the accessible ArtsBoston calendar and the Open Door Arts’ Towards a Culture of Access reports I & II. Charles serves on the advisory board of the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education and the planning committee for the ADA/504 coordinators cohort at the National Assembly of State Art Agencies. Out of the office Charles is a member of the Brickbottom Artist Association and Boston’s Wicked Queer Film Festival. He is an illustrator, theatre artist, and puppeteer.

Talleri A. McRae (she/her) has attended LEAD since 2011, and is based in Louisville KY. As a teaching artist, PD provider, and access consultant she has partnered with several arts organizations, including: Actors Theatre of Louisville, Arts for All KY, Indiana Repertory Theatre, and La Jolla Playhouse. From 2018-2023, Talleri co-led National Disability Theatre. Talleri also works with students K-12 with and without disabilities—for the last several years she has co-facilitated the Playwright Discovery Program at home in KY, as well as in the DC Metro area. Talleri is a very fun Aunt to her 3 nieces, and she co-parents 9-year-old Kieran with her spouse, Jeremy. Fun fact: She can re-attach the limbs on a Lego MiniFig at an above-average speed! Talleri is also an avid distance swimmer, an adventurous food taster, and enjoys travel that involves little to no walking. While Talleri learns by trial-and-error from friends, colleagues, and community members every single day, she also learned a lot while receiving a B.S. from Northwestern University, and an M.F.A. from The University of Texas at Austin.

Congratulations to our 2026 LEAD Award Recipients!

Award for Emerging Leaders

Ava X. Rigelhaupt

Community Asset Award

Overture Center for the Arts

Award for Excellence in Accessibility Leadership

Charles G. Baldwin

Talleri A. McRae