Arts Access Australia eNewsletterIssue #14 - August 15, 2003 1.0 National Network News 1.1 Seeking artists with disabilities for FaCS Calendar Are you, or do you know of, an artist or artsworker with a disability who may be interested in being profiled in a Calendar? On behalf of Family and Community Services the Arts Access Australia is seeking images and associated profiles for the Calendar from now until 10 September. The artists and artsworkers featured will be involved in the arts on a professional or recreational basis and will have achieved in the arts in some way. Quotes from those featured will also be used in the Calendar. Appropriate image licencing fees, expenses associated with commissioning photos and developing profiles will be paid. For a copy of the detailed brief and further information contact AAA National Director Gareth Wreford. Tel 02 9251 6844 or email coord@dadaanat.net.au 1.2 Back to Back Theatre Tours to Europe Back to Back Theatre, Australia's pioneering contemporary Theatre Company made up of an ensemble of actors with intellectual disabilities is touring to three European destinations this June, August and September. "COW" appeared at the London International Festival of Theatre from in June. In August Back to Back returns to Europe with a tour of its award winning show "SOFT" to festivals in Zurich, Hamburg and Hannover. 1.3 AAA Members Meet in Tasmania The Arts Access Australia held its annual Face to Face meeting in Hobart in May. While in Tasmania we also met with arts and disability representatives in Launceston and Hobart. The meeting was a great opportunity to spend time with the Tasmanian AAA Member Arts R Access. 1.4 Arts Access (VIC) / Australian Caption Centre Trial of Live Captioning A new partnership between Arts Access and the Australian Caption Centre to introduce 'Live Captioning' for theatre to improve access for people who are Deaf or Hard of hearing has been announced. They are currently identifying organisations interested in being involved in a pilot project. For more information, please contact Access Program Manager, Fiona Hanrahan on fhanrahan@artsaccess.com.au Used extensively in TV, video, DVD and cinema, captioning is the display of dialogue and other auditory information to ensure access for people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. This service is now being used with great success at live events by arts and cultural organisations throughout the UK and the USA. For examples, visit http://www.stagetext.co.uk or http://www.tdf.org/programs/tap/ 2.0 Government News 2.1 Is Free Trade Selling out the Arts? The Australian Government is involved in negotiations in relation to international free trade which have the potential to significantly impact upon the cultural life of Australia. Both the US Free Trade Agreement and General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) have the potential to limit the ability of the Australian Government to implement cultural policies and programs which support and foster the arts in Australia. A significant response to this has been growing support for an International Convention on Cultural Diversity. A Convention would seek to be enforceable and counter balance the enforceable provisions of the international trade agreements. This would be a significant step forward from the existing Universal Declaration of Cultural Diversity adopted by UNESCO in 2001 which itself recommended establishing such an agreement. In October 2003 the 188 countries that make up UNESCO's General Conference will decide whether UNESCO should proceed with the development of the International Convention. The Arts Access Australia urges the Australian Government to positively support the development of the Convention. For further information see: Australia Council: http://www.ozco.gov.au/issues/trade/index.htm MEAA: http://www.alliance.org.au/free2baustralian International Network for Cultural Diversity (INCD): http://www.incd.net International Network for Cultural Policy (INCP): http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs UNESCO: http://www.unesco.org DFAT: http://www.dfat.gov.au WTO: http://www.wto.org 2.2 People with disabilities left out of telecommunications technology loop A discussion paper on access to telecommunications for people with disabilities released by Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner Dr Sev Ozdowski suggests that people with disabilities are not receiving equal access to rapidly advancing telecommunications technology. The discussion paper provides an in-depth assessment of the impact of current and future telecommunications technology on people with disabilities, and makes positive recommendations for addressing existing and potential future inequalities and discrimination. See the full paper at: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/index.html#new. Also check for new papers on local government and disability issues. 2.3 Accessibility of Cultural Infrastructure and Cultural Activities for People with Disabilities The European Ministers for Culture, Education and Youth adopted this Council resolution in May. This is the first time ever that art, culture and disability made it on the agenda of the Council of Ministers of the EU. We are still waiting for this level of political recognition here in Australia! A PDF version of the document is available from http://www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/dat/2003/ c_134/c_13420030607en00070008.pdf. 3.0 Events and Opportunities Coming up Australia 3.1 First Australian Disability Film Festival Ever wondered why acting a disability gets an Oscar every time? Where is the real disability perspective? We hope to answer these questions and more with a Film Festival that showcases films by, with and for people with disabilities. We'd like your ideas on what you'd like to see at a screening, talk about at a forum or how you might get involved. Download the information and a questionnaire from www.artsaccess.com.au or call Project Coordinator, Jo Cohen, on 03 9699 8299. 3.2 Expressions of Interest: Feature Artists for ACE Magazine (NSW) Accessible Arts' quarterly ACE magazine is seeking expressions of interest from artists with disabilities and arts workers who work with people with disabilities interested in participating as feature artists in forthcoming editions of ACE magazine. Contact Stella Collier at Accessible Arts on 02 9251 6422 or info@aarts.net.au.
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3.3 The Wataboshi Brisbane 2003 Program The program will be published on www.accessarts.org.au/wataboshi at the end of August. Bookings for all ticketed events open in September at the Powerhouse box office: + 61 7 3358 8600 or www.brisbanepowerhouse.org. Wataboshi Brisbane 2003 offers: Silver Pass for 3 chosen performances, one workshop and Gala Concert ticket and drink on 22 November - at $100 Gold Pass for 5 chosen performances, 2 workshops and Farewell party on 23 November Ð at $200 3.4 Awakenings Event of a million smiles Horsham in Western Victoria will host its event of a million smiles for the eighth time this October 21 -26. "Intimate encounters" a photographic competition, sculpture workshops, a poets breakfast and funky youth activities in the street are among the highlights. Starting in 1996 as an initiative of Wimmera Uniting Care, Awakenings is a community celebration that is committed to improving access to the arts for people of all abilities. Registration forms and further information about the festival are available from the Awakenings Festival office, phone 03 5362 4006 or email awake@wimmera.unitingcare.org.au 3.5 Auslan Interpreted Performance of David Williamson's "The Club" In conjunction with the Sydney Theatre Company Australian Theatre of the Deaf will be presenting "The Club" at the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre on Sunday, 12th October 2003 at 4.00pm. "The Club" features an outstanding cast including: John Wood, Steve Bisley, Conrad Coleby, Paul Goddard, Aaron Pederson and Jeremy Sims. Bookings: Australian Theatre of the Deaf. Phone: 02 9310 1255 TTY: 02 9310 1205 Fax: 02 9318 2538 email: atod@mpx.com.au 3.6 National Carers Conference Canberra 18 September 2003 Caring Matters - A National Debate - will be a conference to raise national debate on the strategic and policy matters that afffect the lives of Australia's 2.3 million unpaid family and other informal carers. With the trend away from residential support, the demand for unpaid informal care has grown enormously. This trend is expected to accelerate as the Australian population ages. Contact: conference solutions. PO Box 238 Deakn West ACT 2600. Tel 02 6285 3000 http://www.carersaustralia.com.au/carersconference-2003.html 3.7 National Hearing Awareness week 24 - 30 August Hearing awareness week provides an opportunity for the 22 percent of Australians aged 15 years and over who have a hearing impairement to share their experience and knowledge and help to create a greater understanding of their needs and aspirations. Contact: Deafness Forum Limited. 218 Northbourne Avenue Braddon ACT 2612. Tel 02 6262 7809. Email info@deafnessforum.org.au http://www.hearingawarenessweek.org.au International 3.8 Giant Leap International Disability Art, Performance and Culture Conference and Festival - Expressions of Interest The International Guild of Disabled Artists and Performers in collaboration with the Giant Leap Foundation Inc and Diversity New Zealand Ltd is planning this conference/festival to be held May 2004 in New Zealand's City of Sails - Auckland. It is planned for 12-16 May 2004 to follow the High Beam Festival in Adelaide to allow artists to make the most of being downunder. The theme of the conference will be focused around taking a "giant leap" towards a co-ordinated, international disability arts and culture movement. Please contact igodap@igodap.org as soon as possible if you are interested in presenting a paper or performance. More information available at: http://www.igodap.org 3.9 CrŽahm: International Performing Arts Festival 2004 This festival for performance work (theatre and dance) by people with mental health problems takes place every two years in Liege (Belgium). If your organisation would be interested in taking part next year (15 - 24 October), or if you would like to hear more about the festival, please contact CrŽahm at info@creahm.be. 3.10 England - new research into technology, disability and digital arts Getting in touch - major new research funded by the Arts Council of England into the involvement of people with disabilities with the digital arts was launched at a national conference at the University of Brighton in July. The research has been conceived and developed by Lighthouse, a contemporary media arts and practice charity to showcase some of the most innovative digitally generated work by disabled artists, and explore key issues faced by arts organisations beginning to work with disabled people in the light of the Disability Discrimination Act. Contact: Alice Ross at Lighthouse alice@lighthouse.org.uk http://www.gettingintouch.org.uk 4.0 New Resources 4.1 New resource book dance and intellectual disability Freedom to Move: dance and movement for people with intellectual disabilities by Kim Dunphy and Jenny Scott Freedom to Move is a new how-to book for leaders of dance/movement groups for people with intellectual disabilities. It includes discussion of the value of dance for people with disabilities information on health, well-being and fitness issues practical aspects of running a session, including ideas for warm-up, theme, improvisation, choreography and performance using a Laban based approach, lesson plans for groups with different needs including children, children in mainstream settings, people with high support needs and older adults strategies for running groups, planning and evaluating programs, a comprehensive suggestion list of music suitable for use in sessions evaluation and assessment tools and a comprehensive bibliography. Cost: RRP $66 Available from McClennan & Petty Publishers: 02 9349 5811 or Dance Therapy Association of Australia: 03 9598 0635 4.2 Disability / NESB Factsheets now available The Multicultural Disability Association of Australia (MDAA) has available 15 factsheets on a range of NESB and Disability issues, including: Numbers of People from a NESB with Disability; Key Issues facing People from a NESB with Disability; Towards a Culturally Diverse Disability Sector; Strategies towards a Culturally Competent Disability Services Sector; Cultural Competency Checklist for Workers; Cultural Competency Checklist for Agencies; Cultural Competence Standards; The ABC of Access and Equity; Using Interpreters Successfully; The Good Translation Guide; Disability Discrimination and Immigration; Understanding Culture; Days of Religious Significance 2003 ; Some Vietnamese Cultural Practices. Contact MDAA on mdaa@mdaa.org.au or 02 9891 6400 or (TTY) 02 9687 6325. 4.3 Copyright for People with disabilities Did you know that different copyright laws apply to some kinds of written material if they are being copied for use by people with disabilities? Check out the Copyright Council's new Factsheet at: http://www.copyright.org.au/PDF/InfoSheets/G060.pdf 4.4 Cultural and Recreation Website Portal Gets Accessible CARP has been through a complete upgrade to address accessibility issues. The intent of this upgrade was to raise the level of conformance to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 standard to the highest level, a Triple A rating. This should make the site much easier for users with disabilities to navigate. See http://cultureandrecreation.gov.au 5.0 Arts Features & News 5.1 Opportunities Brew at CandoCo Australian dancer and choreographer, Marc Brew, is taking up a new position with London's CandoCo Dance Company in July. The dancer, choreographer and teacher, who is among the pioneers of Australia's small disability dance community, is looking forward to working on the other side of the world, where the support for and acceptance of disability artists is far greater than he has found at home. 5.2 TV Industry Commits To Increased Captioning The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, together with organisations representing deaf and hearing impaired people, has brokered an agreement with television broadcasters to commit to major increases in captioned programs over the next four years. The agreement will ensure the level of captioned television programs between 6am to midnight rises from the current level of 40 per cent to 55 per cent by December 2005, and 70 per cent by the end of 2007. The agreement also includes a five-year exemption for the television industry from complaints under the Disability Discrimination Act about levels of captioning. "This agreement shows the advantages of forming partnerships to reduce systemic discrimination," said Deputy Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes www.hreoc.gov.au/media_releases/2003/38_04.html 5.3 Ten Years Magpie Photographic Documentation Project Magpie is a group of dancers with learning disabilities. At http://www.magpol.org/ they have published 85 photographs by Phil Polglaze, documenting 10 years of work. A chance to get some insight in the work of a company that believes that participation in the arts is for everyone, the emphasis being on ability, not disability. 6.0 Jobs 6.1 Arts Gallery Coordinator, AAA WA This position will skill people with persistent psychiatric disabilities in all aspects of running a gallery. This position is part of a 2-year project that aims to provide enterprise and self-employment for people with persistent psychiatric disabilities. Salary $41,000 pro rata @ 20 hours per week. For more information contact David Doyle, Arts Development Manager, AAA WA 08 9335 4011. 6.2 Youth Arts Project Coordinator, Waverley Action Youth Services Urban Arts Base is an artistic project for young people recovering from mental illness based in Sydney's Eastern suburbs. The project utilises visual arts, dance, drama, performance, music and exhibitions to assist young people in their recovery. Urban Arts Base is auspiced by WAYS Youth Services and jointly coordinated with health services in the area. This is a 30 hour per week positions SACS Award Cat 4 (pro rata). For an information kit, contact Doris Eichestetter 02 9365 2500. 6.3 Theatre Technician/Touring Stage Manager, Cascade Place (The Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland, Redcliffe) Urgently seeking a qualified Theatre Technician/Touring Stage Manager with at least three years experience and commitment to working with people with disabilities and a sound understanding of community cultural development principles and practices. The project is to tour an outdoor theatre production to six locations in regional Queensland and Brisbane. Rehearsals begin 1 September in Redcliffe, Queensland. Performances are scheduled a fortnight apart in Cairns, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The project finishes in early December. For a full position description and selection criteria, phone Chris Stannard on (07)3846 1411. Email: stannard@gil.com.au 6.4 Female Performers with a disability, Sydney Opera House For a performance in August 2004, inspired by the 'Club Wild' performance. Contact Neal Jordaon n.jordan@sydneyoperahouse.com.au Tel 02 9250 7315 
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