International Day of People With a Disability
What is International Day of People With a Disability?- Dont DIS my ABILITY Campaign 2008
- Register your arts event or project
- Dont DIS my ABILITY Small Arts Grants
What is International Day of People With a Disability?
International Day of People With a Disability (IDPWD) is designated by the United Nations to celebrate the talents, skills and abilities of people with a disability. Accessible Arts coordinates an arts program on behalf of the Department of Ageing, Disability & Homecare for IDPWD. This project was initiated by Accessible Arts in 2002. It has continued to grow and extend across NSW each year and brings together arts and cultural organisations to work towards an event, project or policy that is inclusive of people with a disability. IDPWD projects are designed to increase access for people with a disability to the arts and to creative opportunities, as practitioners, participants and audience members. These projects work towards long-term and sustainable benefits for people with a disability.
Don't DIS my ABILITY Campaign 2008
In New South Wales, a month-long campaign called Don’t DIS My ABILITY, celebrates IDPWD. Events are held throughout metropolitan and regional areas. Don’t DIS My ABILITY is about changing misconceptions surrounding disability and creating an environment that encourages participation. Ambassadors are selected as role models to support this campaign from the arts, sports and business. This year’s theme chosen by the United Nations is "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Dignity and justice for all of us" which recognises that dignity and equal rights of all people are the foundations of freedom, justice and peace.
Register your arts event or project
Join in and celebrate IDPWD through participating in the Don’t DIS My ABILITY campaign. Register your arts event or project by 1 September 2008 and be included in the Don't DIS my ABILITY printed broadsheet. This full-colour program of events is distributed statewide and celebrates the achievements of people with a disability across NSW.
To register your event go to www.internationaldayofpeoplewithadisability.com.au.
Don't DIS my ABILITY Small Arts Grants
Small grants are available for organisations and arts workers, to assist in their budgeting for arts events registered with the Don't DIS my ABILITY Campaign 2008. These grants have been made possible with the support of the Department of Ageing, Disability and Homecare. Applications close 1 September 2008.
Amounts of up to $500 will be available in three categories.
Category A:
Arts projects located in Regional and Rural NSW
IDPWD projects from these regions are particularly encouraged to apply
Category B:
Arts projects located in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Central Coast, Newcastle and the Blue Mountains LGA.
Category C:
Arts projects facilitated by independent arts workers and located in Metropolitan or Greater Sydney. This includes Western Sydney, Northern Sydney, Inner West, Central Sydney, Southern Sydney and Eastern Suburbs.
Please contact Josie Cavallaro, Arts Development Officer, tel: 02 9251 6499 (ext 4) or email jcavallaro@aarts.net.au if you are unsure about your project's eligibility for this category.
Download an application form in the Related Items coloumn.
IDPWD 07 Regional Highlight: NSW Small Grant Recipient
Expanding Universe cast members, 2007.EXPANDING UNIVERSE
Vox Pop Music Theatre Group Production
The Vox Pop Music Theatre group is a performance ensemble from the northern NSW community of Brunswick Heads. In 2007, they created an original music theatre work and invited the local primary school to their second performance of the production. Ninety children and their teachers attended the performance and were spellbound. The production was a great success. The performance ensemble wanted to continue producing theatre and the Accommodation Network Ocean Shores disability service applied for a small grant for International Day of People with a Disability to make it happen. A music theatre work was devised, where people with mild to profound disabilities together with other local artists shared the joy of exploring music theatre. The production 'Expanding Universe' was performed at Brunswick Heads Public School to the community and was a huge success.
Many outcomes were achieved from this project. Community partnerships and networks where cultivated, the development of new arts skills for performers with disabilities were fostered and a widening of social circles resulted. Some of the money received for the project went towards props for the theatre performance that would otherwise have been available in a theatre setting. The performance was held at a school because the local theatre in Byron Bay did not have a stage that was wheelchair accessible. Accessible Arts was able to advocate for improvements to this situation at a council level and within the arts sector.
"This project provided necessary opportunities for performers with a disability, to contribute to the local arts community and was a great celebration for International Day of People with a disability" commented Josie Cavallaro. "We are looking forward to receiving similar applications for 2008".
