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Access & Heritage

Many arts organisations are located in heritage buildings. It is often presumed that heritage legislation limits capacity to incorporate accessible design into heritage spaces. As the peak arts and disability organisation for NSW, Accessible Arts is leading research into access (disability discrimination) at arts services and organisations located in heritage buildings.

Removing the Obstacles project

This project involves researching state, federal and international legal frameworks and their practical application for arts organisations and services that are located in heritage buildings. The provision of access for people with disability is the focus of the report to be completed by the end of 2010 and will include a response to the following issues and questions:

  • The complexity of heritage and access
  • The key issues regarding access and existing heritage buildings
  • How do legislation, policy and other initiatives impact upon the provision of access for people with disability at arts venues located in heritage sites, including the application of unjustifiable hardship?
  • What is the way forward in assisting relevant stakeholders regarding disability access and heritage in the arts, and influencing changes to legislation and policy in these areas?

Project Partners & Contributors

Accessible Arts has been grateful for the positive response and support provided by the Arts Law Centre of Australia as the initial and long-standing partner for this project. Invaluable support for Removing the Obstacles has also been provided by project partners University of Technology Sydney Shopfront Community Program and Arts Access Australia. Further expertise and input has been provided by a range of stakeholders from the disability, arts, heritage, education and government sectors.

Get involved

If you would like a copy of this report once it is complete or would like to be involved in the consultations, please contact the Policy and Research Officer on (02) 9251 6499 Ext: 104 or pro@aarts.net.au.

Further information

Contact the Policy and Research Officer on (02) 9251 6499 Ext: 104 or pro@aarts.net.au.