Don't DIS my ABILITY
In New South Wales, the month-long campaign Don't DIS my ABILITY celebrates International Day of People With a Disability (IDPWD), a day designated by the United Nations to celebrate talents, skills and abilities of people with a disability.
Don't DIS my ABILITY is run by Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC), Department of Human Services NSW. Ambassadors are selected from the arts, sports and business as role models to support this campaign and to challenge assumptions about disability.
In 2002 Accessible Arts initiated an arts program on behalf of ADHC for Don't DIS my ABILITY. The 
arts program has extended across NSW and brings together arts and cultural organisations to work towards an event, project or policy, inclusive of people with disability. The development of these initiatives are supported in a number of ways including small grants, promotion of events online and in a publication distributed statewide.
News
Small Arts Grants
In 2010 Accessible Arts is offering small grants of $3000 to six projects across visual arts, dance, music, performance and new media.
The increase in grant support will:
- make selected projects attractive to potential funding partners
- create opportunities for projects to employ professional artists
- create process-led events with artistic integrity
- enable skills development and quality participation in the arts
The grants are offered in three categories:
- Individual artists in NSW
- Rural and Regional NSW
- Western Sydney
Don't DIS my ABILITY Successful Grant Recipients 2010
Individual artists in NSW
- Pierre Comarmond (Kirawee) Kirawee Mural Project – Stage Two
- Georgia Rose Cranko (Newtown) Living within Context
Rural and Regional NSW
- Byron Shire Council (Byron Bay) Drumming to your own Beat
- Workability Personnel (Eurobodalla) Looking Out – Looking In
Western Sydney
- Beyond Vision (Fairfield) Vision for Beyond Vision
- Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest (Penrith) Sizzle – An Inclusive Arts Festival
Further information
Contact Sarah-Vyne Vassallo, Arts Development Officer, on Tel: 02 9251 6499 ext 105 or artsdevelopment@aarts.net.au, Monday and Tuesday only.