National Arts and Disability Strategy Discussion paper
Cultural Ministers Council, October 2008
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Transcript
Do you have any thoughts or ideas on how disabled Australians with a disability can become more involved in arts and cultural activities?
If so, the Cultural Ministers Council, a committee of government ministers for the arts from all over Australia, would like to hear from you. To help you to put forward your ideas the Cultural Minister’s Council has prepared this short three minute announcement.
The Cultural Ministers Council is developing the National Arts and Disability Discussion Paper, to help ensure all Australians with a disability, can participate in the arts. We feel strongly that everyone should feel included. We’ve put out a discussion paper, so that the public can get involved and have a say, and we’d like to hear from you.
The discussion paper sets out points for discussion that might help you to respond. Or you can simply let us know about your own experiences, so we can learn from you.
Now, here are some thoughts about areas which might need improvement and which should be part of the national strategy.
Firstly, we’d like to know how you think governments, departments and organisations can work together better in a more coordinated way. Could you tell us what you think works well—or what you think won’t work. Give us examples, of your ideas about what would help people with a disability to have better access to arts activities. And what might help them participate more in the arts industry.
Lets talk about participation.As you know, people with a disability don’t generally go to theatres, galleries and museums, as often as the rest of the population.
The barriers can be financial, or physical, or some people just don’t feel comfortable or included.
- Do you strike problems moving around places like museums, galleries or theatres?
- Do you find it difficult to attend?
- What about buying a ticket, or finding brochures where you can reach them?
- Is transport a problem?
- Do you feel welcome at arts events?
We’d like to hear about your experiences and hear any suggestions you have,
so please get in touch.
I want to talk now about opportunities for disabled people to work and get involved in the arts.
People with a disability can find they have fewer opportunities if they are arts practitioners – or if they are wanting to work or get involved in the arts industry. If that’s true for you, can you explain how you’d like to be involved.
Would you prefer to get involved in mainstream arts or have dedicated facilities and arrangements? We’d like to hear about your experiences and any suggestions you might have. So please get in touch.
Lastly, we’d like to hear from you about how you think the arts industry can develop and present content that works for people with a disability.
- Is it important for special programming to be developed?
- Is there a need to develop a broader, general audience?
- Should works produced by people with a disability have a broader general audience?
- What role do you think governments should play, in encouraging, say, festivals and arts companies and galleries, to cater for your needs and wants?
The Cultural Ministers Council is looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
I have only given you a summary of the discussion points. The full discussion paper is on our website: www.cmc.gov.au It’s available in several formats. If you need any help accessing the full discussion paper, please contact us. We would like to have all comments to us by Monday 3 November 2008.
Our email is arts.disability@environment.gov.au
Or you can phone us on 1800 185 693
You can speak with us on that number or leave a voicemail with your comment.
You can also contact us through the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677
And remember, we’d like to have your comments by Monday 3 November 2008.
Thanks for listening.