On 9 October 2009, the Cultural Ministers Council agreed to the National Arts and Disability Strategy, which sets out a vision for improving access and participation in the artistic and cultural activities for people with disabilities.
The Strategy sets out eight underlying principles that will guide its implementation, addressing issues such as the right for all Australians to have access to, and participate in, arts and cultural activities, and the need for people with a disability to be involved in the decisions that affect them.
Ministers have agreed on four priority areas for action.
- Addressing barriers to access and participation;
- Supporting artistic and cultural practice amongst those with a disability;
- Developing audiences for disability arts companies and individual artists; and
- Improving policy development and planning within governments.
The Strategy is the result of extensive consultation, including 115 submissions made in response to a discussion paper released in late 2008, targeted consultation with arts and disability peak bodies, and consultation with government agencies at all levels.
Ministers have agreed to monitor progress on the Strategy every year. Information about activities that take place as part of the Strategy will be made available on the CMC website. Ministers will also review the Strategy after three years, in consultation with the arts and disability sector.
The National Arts and Disability Strategy can be viewed online and is available to download in various formats, including Auslan and audio.
For further information on the Strategy contact Jacqui Uhlmann, Secretariat, National Arts and Disability Strategy Working Group, on 1800 185 693, or arts.disability@environment.gov.au.
Information source: Cultural Ministers Council / Working groups / National Arts and Disability Strategy
http://www.cmc.gov.au/working_groups/national_arts_and_disability_strategy
