Accessible Arts is the peak arts and disability organisation across New South Wales, Australia.
Accessible Arts promotes full inclusion, access and cultural opportunities in the arts for people with disabilities through advocacy, education and the provision of information.
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 Shadow puppetry at The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre From April to September 2009, Accessible Arts undertook a scoping study of disability services in Western Sydney to determine their knowledge and use of arts centres in the region. The scoping study involved consulting with the disability sector through conducting a survey and compiling a database of disability service contacts in Western Sydney.
Objectives of study:
- To provide information about the access of arts centres in Western Sydney by the disability sector
- To create a database of disability service contacts in Western Sydney.
Survey questions focused on areas such as awareness and frequency of visits to local arts centres; barriers to access; most appropriate performance and workshop times and costs; the types of activities and services people are interested in, including outreach, and the best way to keep people informed about future events and opportunities.
The disability services that participated in the survey predominantly offer day programs, community participation programs or provide information about opportunities to people with a disability in Western Sydney.
Thanks to the seventeen disability services that participated in the survey including Disability Services Australia, Australian Foundation for Disability, Nepean Area Disabilities Organisation, Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association, The Junction Works, Sunnyfield, Northcott Disability Services, Inala, Woodville Community Services Inc, Autism Spectrum Australia, Disability Enterprises, Liverpool Community Access Service, McCall Gardens Community Ltd, Flintwood Disability Services Inc, North West Disability Services, Warrah and Wesley Mission.
The survey results have been collated and a report outlining the survey findings is now available. Findings from the scoping study will be used to inform future practice of Accessible Arts and Western Sydney arts organisations.
For more information contact Jennifer Teo, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, on tel: 9251 6499 ext 111 jteo@aarts.net.au.
I Love You by Janet Diane is one of eleven projects that received the Accessible Arts Small Grants funding as a part of Don’t DIS My ABILITY.
 In 2008 Janet began to write her first performance based on her own real life experiences as a young woman who lives with a disability. She is now at the second stage of creating her performance.
This is a story of a young woman who defies expectations to pursue her own dreams. Janet is a young woman with dreams. She loves to dance tango. She loves high heels. She loves to travel. But something happens to her, and in one defining moment, the world as she knows it changes forever. Janet finds herself lying in a hospital bed unable to walk, unable to talk … only able to mutter the words “I love You”.
You are invited to attend a 25-minute performance of I Love You, by Janet Diane. Light refreshments will be available after the performance and there will be a free Tango lesson by professional dancer Yamila Falcon
When: Friday 4 December 2009
Where: Powerhouse Youth Theatre, School of Arts, 19 Harris St Fairfield
Time: 7:00pm
Cost: FREE
Contact: For bookings or information, please contact Claudia at PYT on 9724 6077 or claudia@pyt.com.au
Website: pyt.com.au
Access: Accessible venue and amenities.
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
 Phil, Richard and Dan The First Flight Crew had their fifth gig at ‘Comedy Is King’ at The Westin Hotel, Martin Place, Sydney in late September 09. This event was a major fundraiser night for Down Syndrome NSW and the Crew were invited to open the evening the only way they know how – with break dancing and beat boxing.
Marky Mark, one of the Crew, got the night started with his solo piece Marky Mark in da House, followed by the whole seven piece outfit raising the roof with their song, Funky Air Style Guitar Noises. Nam and Marky then broke out into some beat boxing wooing the crowd with their scratching and beats.
MC Richard Wilkins commented on “how fantastic” the performance was and Marky Mark got busy handing out his autograph to his lady fans and collecting his shirt, which he had thrown into the audience during the routine.
The whole night was inspired by comedian Brain Doyle whose five-year-old grandson has Down Syndrome. He rallied together his entertaining mates such as Glenn Shorrock, Leo Sayer, Sean Kramer, Vince Sorrenti and Australia’s Electric Cowboy Greg Anderson, to entertain a 300 strong crowd. With an appeal, an auction and ticket sales the whole night raised over $70, 000 for Down Syndrome NSW.
The First Flight Crew with the assistance of a grant from the Jacqui McCoy Trust Fund, are launching into a creative phase of new material including songs, routines and the possibility of a film clip. And they’ll be available for gigs.
To get in touch with the First Flight Crew contact Alison Richardson, Creative Programs Coordinator, Accessible Arts Western Sydney tel: 9251 6499 ext 112 or arichardson@aarts.net.au.
A workshop in the latest street dance moves culminating in a performance. The workshops are open to 15 to 18 year olds of mixed abilities. Great for young people living with a disability and their friends and siblings. The workshop will be conducted over 3 days, each session is 3 hours.
“These workshops offer young people of all abilities an experience within a performing arts environment and work towards creating communities that are aware and inclusive of people living with disability,” said Matt Stewart, InterAct Workshop Coordinator, Accessible Arts.
Places are strictly limited to 15. Bookings essential.
To register, download the workshop-registration-form-2009 and send to Matt Stewart fax: 02 9724 4311 or matt@pyt.com.au
When: 7 – 9 October 2009, 10:00am to 1:00pm.
Where: Q Theatre Company, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High Street, Penrith NSW.
Who: 15 to 18 year olds all abilities
Cost: $10 for the 3 days
Contact: Matt Stewart tel: 02 9724 6077 or matt@pyt.com.au
Website: pyt.com.au
Access: Accessible venue and toilets. Accessible parking (at the Penrith Civic Centre car park).
 Some members from the First Flight Crew - Chris, Dan and Digby The First Flight Crew, NSW’s first hip hop group consisting entirely of people who identify as having a disability, will perform at Comedy is King, a fundraising event for children and adults with Down Syndrome. An unforgettable evening for a very special cause.
For one night only an intimate evening with Leo Sayer, Glenn Shorrock, Richard Wilkins, Brian Doyle and friends. Other celebrity guests on the night include Tropfest award-winning actor Gerard O’Dwyer and football legends Craig Wing, John Raper, Ben Elias and Jarryd Hayne.
Wednesday 23 September 2009, 6:30pm at the Westin Hotel, Sydney.
Tickets are $250 (includes 3 course dinner and drinks). Corporate and VIP tables available.
For bookings and more information contact Steve at Down Syndrome NSW on steve@dsansw.org.au or Melanie Hendra on tel: 02 8306 9555 or melanie@internationalevents.com.au.
The Accessible Arts website is a good resource for people interested in Arts & Disability Policy and Research. Two new reports are now available:
The Speak Up: Arts & Disability Priorities for NSW report documents key findings, issues and solutions resulting from extensive consultations conducted by Alison McLaren, Audience Development Officer at Accessible Arts. The Speak Up report represents the voice of over 500 arts and disability stakeholders, captured from face to face consultations in regional and metropolitan NSW between 2006 and 2009. Arts and disability organisations and communities are encouraged to utilise actions in this plan, to guide their local cultural and disability planning. Priorities in this Strategy will also guide Accessible Arts future strategic planning, to ensure projects are targeted towards areas of greatest need in the arts and disability sectors. This project will also form the foundation of future arts and disability research at a national level.
The report Shut Out: The Experience of People with Disabilities and their Families in Australia was launched by the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council on 5 August 2009. The report provides detail on the key barriers and issues facing people with a disability, their families and carers and highlights the solutions offered by the submissions. The report is available in accessible formats including an Easy English version.
 Jeff and Ryan presenting Creature Feature for Community Views on 2CCR FM Accessible Arts visited North West Disability Services at their weekly radio show Community Views on 2CCR 90.5FM. Jennifer Teo met with NWDS Program Coordinator, Inam al-Haqq to talk about the show and meet the team.
Each week at the NWDS centre in Baulkham Hills, the radio team prepare scripts and news stories about interesting topics to present on the upcoming show. Topics covered each week include personal stories, news and information, interviews and music. The radio team is made up of participants in the NWDS day program, staff, carers, teachers and other disability professionals.
“NWDS Radio is a breakthrough event in the disability field,” explains Inam al-Haqq, “It is the first initiative of its kind where people with a disability, their carers and professionals are gathered together in one venue to create quality radio.”
The radio show has been a great way for participants to build their self confidence, as well as develop their communication and team work skills. “At first I was very nervous,” Maya explained, “But now I am used to the microphone”. Another presenter Ryan has really benefited from doing the radio show and hosts a regular segment Creature Feature, where he talks about an animal he has researched on the internet. As a presenter Ryan’s reading abilities are quite extraordinary.
 Maya talks about her good experiences at NWDS on 2CCR FM Jeff Ruitenbach, 2CCR Office Manager, works with the team to record and put the shows to air. Jeff teaches the NWDS radio team programming and presenting skills such as how to speak for radio and using microphones. He has worked with the NWDS team for about a year and feels it is an important and valuable community project for the radio station to be involved with and support. It gives people with a disability a voice in the community and on local media.
“The NWDS radio show is a terrific, innovative project. It is beneficial on a number of levels,” says Jennifer Teo, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator for Accessible Arts Western Sydney. “It provides a platform for people with a disability to express themselves and a way to present to the broader community ideas and issues relating to the disability sector. The radio show also provides a positive representation of people with a disability in the media and broadcasting.”
On Community Views this week Maya talks about her good experiences at NWDS, Anthony talks about father’s day and Ryan highlights the Platypus. Ryan also reads out some interesting facts about health and disability. On this week’s program there is a short interview with Jennifer Teo about Accessible Arts and their work in Western Sydney.
Listen to Community Views on 2CCR every Wednesday 3:00pm to 4:00pm. Broadcasting to Parramatta, Holroyd and The Hills. Tune your radio to 90.5fm or listen to the show online.
An intensive introduction to camera acting techniques that no budding film star can miss. At the end of the workshop you’ll walk away with a tape of your work and a better understanding of how to act for the camera.
This workshop is open to 15 to 18 year olds of mixed abilities. Great for young people living with a disability and their friends and siblings. The workshop will be conducted over 3 days, each session is 3 hours.
Places are strictly limited to 15. Bookings essential.
To register, download the workshop-registration-form-2009 and send to Matt Stewart fax: 02 9724 4311 or matt@pyt.com.au
When: 5 – 7 October 2009, 10:00am to 1:00pm.
Where: Fairfield School of Arts, 19 Harris St Fairfield, NSW
Who: 15 to 18 year olds
Cost: $10 for the 3 days
Contact: Matt Stewart tel: 02 9724 6077 or matt@pyt.com.au
Website: pyt.com.au
Access: Accessible venue and toilets.
 Museum of Fire, Penrtih The Museum of Fire in Penrtih is one of Australia’s largest community run museums whose staff are mostly volunteers and fire-fighters. The museum has one of the largest fire collections in the world including large fire-fighting vehicles dating from the late 18th century up to the 1980’s. The museum also houses an impressive collection of fire-fighting equipment and memorabilia.
The Museum of Fire is a not for profit, registered charity and any funds raised go towards educating the community about the dangers of fire and preserving our fire-fighting heritage.
Located on the ground floor, the museum is wheelchair accessible and is already well accessed by disability organisations who form a core part of their visitation. The museum also has accessible toilets and parking.
Their current permanent exhibitions incorporate interactive components including fire engine rides and an accessible activities corner. There is a driving simulation game with ramp access for people in wheelchairs.
 Museum of Fire - Activity Corner The museum is also currently looking at ways to improve access such as upgrading their computer station to include touch screens, assistive technology and adjustable desks.
The Museum of Fire is located on 1 Museum Drive, Penrith NSW. Open 7 days per week, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Sunday & Holidays.
www.museumoffire.com.au
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