A Glasgow charity has been giving disabled dancers the opportunity to perform globally. Indepen-dance was founded by Karen Anderson in 1996 with the aim of ensuring the physical activity was inclusive to all.
Over the last two decades the organisation has blossomed and allowed performers to express themselves in a number of different countries.
However, Karen admits that her first ever dance class came about on a whim and she didn't expect it to take off into what it is now.
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She told Glasgow Live: "I was working in adult day centres for people with learning disabilities.
"At the same time in my life I had always danced. Like most of the west of Scotland and children of Glasgow you went dancing at the weekend.
"Dancing was a big part of my family, my mum and dad were beautiful dancers. But it would never be thought of as a route to employment.
"During my time in social work we were asked at some point to do some recreational activities with the people. My manager knew I danced and he said 'Why don't you do a dance class?'
"My first dance class was awful, really bad, because I didn't know how to make it inclusive. So that was the start of a journey.
"In the very beginning of Indepen-dance I literally had a ghetto blaster and a box of tapes. I'd go into a centre and do a class but I never thought it would be what it is now."
From their humble beginnings, Indepen-dance has gone from strength to strength. Dancers have performed at the Commonwealth Games in 2014, Colombia and are now looking forward to making their debut in the Big Apple.
However, despite the global success Karen struggles to pick out just one highlight as there's so many to choose from.
The Artistic Director said: "Over the years there has been a lot of points where the organisation has pivoted or grown.
"We opened the special olympics at Celtic Park that was great fun. I remember waiting to go on and I looked up and someone had a camera on my face.
"Taking the company to work with international organisations has always been a highlight. Our professional touring company has went to Japan, Australia, Bangkok, Finland, all over Europe, Canada and we were supposed to go off Broadway in March 2020.
"They've re-engaged with us and we will be going to New York in 2024. I've been to the theatre and it's pretty much bang in the centre of Broadway.
"Last year it was amazing to receive an MBE and meet Prince William."
Arguably their biggest achievement so far is combatting the stigma of disability and giving dancers a platform to showcase their talents.
Karen said: "The mum of one of the dancers, who has down syndrome, said that never in her wildest dreams did she think her son would be employed.
"A lot of people when they have a child born with a disability see the medical model and the social model conflict. The medical model says this person will not be able to do a variety of things but the social model says if you put things in place then this is what people can achieve.
"A lot of parents who use our service never thought their child would be a professional dancer and travel the world.
"But it isn't just about those high and fancy achievements. There are people who come to the classes because it is part of their life now and it has changed their lives.
"They are now confident and part of the community."
The community values of the charity still remain at its core with dancing only being a small part of their bigger aims.
Karen believes the benefits students gain physically, mentally and socially is more important than anything else.
The Indepen-dance founder said: "People come for different reasons.
"People come because they want to do a physical activity in the community that's enjoyable that they can access and it's inclusive.
"Others come because they want to hone their skills and dance techniques. It is also a social thing for some people. Folk will come to a morning class then they'll stay and have lunch together, then they'll join the afternoon class.
"It helps combat social isolation, loneliness, it is positive for their mental health."
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