CONTENTS

Introduction

Forewords

Section 01

Opening Doors

Ignition Theatre

Open Art ACT

Northern Exposure

Adelaide Festival Centre

Section 02

Making a Difference

Mwerre Anthurre

Arts Roar

EASE Ticketing

Accessing the Arts

Section 03

Make it New

Back to Back Theatre

Restless Dance Company

Pinnacles Gallery

Tutti Ensemble

Resources

Contacts

Definitions

Publication Details

 

Definitions of 'disability'

The definition of disability for the purposes of the Disability Discrimination Act is:

• total or partial loss of a person’s bodily or mental functions
• total or partial loss of a part of the body
• the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness
• the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness
• the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of a person’s body
• a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction
• a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person’s thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgment or that results in disturbed behaviour.

The Disability Discrimination Act protects people who fall under this definition, and also protects those who have some form of personal connection with a person with a disability like relatives, friends, carers and co-workers if they are discriminated against because of that connection or relationship.

For more information on the Disability Discrimination Act, see
www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/dda_guide/dda_guide.htm

Conceptual models of disability

Historically, two major conceptual models of disability have been proposed. The medical model views disability as a feature of the person. Disability, on this model, calls for medical or other treatment or intervention to correct the problem with the individual. The social model of disability, on the other hand, sees disability as a socially created problem and not an attribute of an individual. Thus disability demands a political response since the ‘problem’ is created by an unaccommodating physical environment brought about by attitudes and other aspects of the social environment. The social model also enables organisations to focus clearly on universal access and design, which concentrates on making all environments, products and services accessible to all people.

Disability Action Plans

An effective way of ensuring an organisation is making itself accessible and meeting the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act is to develop a Disability Action Plan. An effective Action Plan should:

• eliminate discrimination in an active way
• improve services to existing consumers or customers
• enhance organisational image
• reduce the likelihood of complaints being made
• increase the likelihood of being able to successfully defend complaints
• increase the likelihood of avoiding costly legal action
• allow for a planned and managed change in business or services
• open up new markets and attract new consumers.

The member organisations of the Arts Access Australia network are all able to assist organisations in developing an Action Plan. Contact details can be found in the Resources and contacts section of this book.

For examples and information on Disability Action Plans see: www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/action_plans/Register/register.html