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Issue 23 - March 2006

1.0 ARTS ACCESS AUSTRALIA NETWORK NEWS

1.1 Making the Journey – free publication

Arts Access Australia has launched a free 96 page full colour publication Making the Journey: Arts and Disability in Australia now available in pdf and html at:
http://www.ozco.gov.au/arts_resources/publications/making_the_journey/

1.2 AART.BOXX – Noise and Accessible Arts

NOISE invites young artists with a disability across Australia to submit all forms of media-friendly works such as photography, pictures, music, words and industrial-object design by 31 March 2006. Artists must be 25 or younger. For more information go to the following websites: http://www.noise.net/ http://www.aarts.net.au

1.3 NSW - Accessible Arts monthly e-bulletin

Accessible Arts NSW publishes a monthly events e-bulletin. To sign up and to see past issues see; http://www.aarts.net.au/

1.4 NSW - A Cultural Action Plan for People With a Disability

Accessible Arts is calling for submissions from organisations and individuals towards a Cultural Action Plan for people with a disability in NSW. The Cultural Action Plan will provide an overall picture of the cultural needs and interests of people with a disability. This Plan will guide future arts and disability activities in NSW. It is hoped that this plan will feed into other relevant strategies and policies in NSW. For further information please contact Alison McLaren at Accessible Arts on ph 02 9251 6499 or e-mail amclaren@aarts.net.au

1.5 ACT - Arts Ability news letter

Arts Ability is an electronic publication for artists working in disability and disadvantaged communities. To sign up contact Sue Riley tel 02 6247 1882 Email susan@artsrec.org.au

1.6 VIC - Arts Access VIC events e-bulletin

Arts Access VIC publishes a regular what’s on newsletter – to sign up go to;
http://www.artsaccess.com.au/read/

1.7 SA - Arts In Action events listing

Arts In Action SA produce a listing of regular events available at;
http://www.artsinaction.asn.au/reg_ev.htm

1.8 QLD - Access Arts events listing

Access Arts QLD list their events at; http://www.accessarts.org.au/news.htm

1.9 TAS - Amalgamation Festival December 2006

Arts Action Tasmania will produce a 2-week festival Amalgamation in December 2006 that celebrates the diversity and unique contribution that artists with disabilities bring to Tasmanian culture. The festival will incorporate a number of different art-forms-film, visual arts, dance, workshops, forums and installation performance theatre. Amalgamation will feature well-known arts companies such as Geelong's BacktoBack Theatre and Arts Access Victoria; Tasmania's Is Theatre Ltd, Tasdance, and Arts Roar. For more information contact Marianne Taylor tel 03 6214 7634 email MTaylor@gcc.tas.gov.au

2.0 AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT AND DISABILITY SECTOR NEWS

2.1 FACSIA has published a research paper: Income support customers

This paper provides a snapshot of the number and demographic characteristics of income support recipients in June 2002. Income support payments cater for different circumstances, such as disability, sickness, unemployment, caring and parenting responsibilities. The publication is expected to provide a ready source of payment information data for government, university and research institutions, community organisations and international welfare agencies. It is available in HTML and PDF format and can be downloaded at:
http://www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/research/stps-stps_1.htm

2.2 Release of the Final Report for the National Inquiry into Employment and Disability

The final report – WORKability II: Solutions – makes a series of recommendations to address the myriad of barriers identified in the Inquiry's interim report – WORKability I: Barriers. A full copy of the report can be downloaded from http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/employment_inquiry/index.htm

2.3 HREOC – Graham Innes new Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner

The Government has announced the appointment of Graeme Innes AM as the new Federal Human Rights Commissioner and Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner. He replaces Dr Sev Ozdowski whose five-year term expired in 2005. Graeme Innes was previously the Deputy Disability Discrimination Commissioner. To read more, click here.

2.4 HREOC - Complaint handling report

The Commission has recently produced a paper - Five years on: An update on the complaint handling work of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission -which outlines the findings of two research projects undertaken in the 2004-05 reporting year. See the paper online at: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/complaints_information/publications/five_years_on.html

2.5 HREOC 2005 Arts Award – Disability in Australia publication

In the Arts Non-Fiction Award category, the winner was Associate Professor Christopher Newell and Dr Gerard Goggin's Disability in Australia: Exposing a Social Apartheid, which explored a hidden blight in our society - the treatment of people with disabilities. See: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/media_releases/2005/69_05.html

2.6 HREOC Report – Indigenous Young People with disabilities in Juvenile Justice

In 2005 the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department provided funding for the Social Justice Commissioner to undertake a research project examining the issues relating to Indigenous young people with a cognitive disability and/or mental health issue in Australian juvenile justice systems. Read the report at:
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/social_justice/index.html

2.7 QLD – Indigenous Disability Network

In early 2006 the first meeting of the Queensland Indigenous Disability Network was held at Inala Elders Yarning Place in outer suburban Brisbane. The meeting was organised with the support of Disability Services Queensland and led to the establishment of a steering committee. For more information contact Damian Griffis at People With Disabilities Australia tel 02 9370 3100 email damiang@pwd.org.au

International

2.8 New Zealand - Disability Issues 2005 Making a World of Difference

This briefing provides an overview of disability issues, including key concepts of what disability is and the current experience of disabled people. Read more at:
http://www.odi.govt.nz/publications/minister-briefing/2005

2.9 New Zealand - Including a disability perspective toolkit

A toolkit for Government officials. Read more at:
http://www.odi.govt.nz/disability-perspective

2.10 Special Issue of Disability World about International Development

A new issue of Disability World has just been produced by the World Institute on Disability in collaboration with other groups. The special issue approach recognises that disabled people have been essentially left out of education for all, poverty reduction programs and other national and international efforts to reach disadvantaged populations.
Check it out at http://www.disabilityworld.org

2.11 UN Convention on Human Rights of People With Disabilities

The eighth session of the ad hoc committee will be held in New York on 14 – 25 August 2006. The latest version of the working text of the convention is available at: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/ahc7ann2rep.htm

2.12 USA - Attitude, Not Cost, Barrier to Disabled Workers

Recent data shows that employers who make an effort to accommodate employees with
disabilities can do so at little cost and great benefit, exposing deeper discrimination behind dismal employment numbers. For disability experts and advocates, the main barrier to employing people with disabilities is attitudes. Read more at: http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/2909

3.0 EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Australia

3.1 Call for Feedback on Australia Council Community Partnerships model by 14 April

The Australia Council's Community Partnerships Scoping Study Reference Group has released a Preliminary Creative Communities Strategy paper dated 14 March that provides additional information to the earlier Scoping Study Future Directions Paper. Feedback on the papers can be provided to the Australia Council cpstudy@ozco.gov.au by 14 April 2006. The papers are on the Australia Council website: click here.

3.2 Consultation – Research report on Arts and Cultural Heritage Research and Statistics

The National Centre for Culture and Recreation Statistics of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in partnership with the Cultural Ministers Council Statistics Working Group (CMCSWG), is seeking to improve statistical and research information to support informed decision making and community debate across the arts and cultural heritage field. The draft report makes no mention of disability. To read more, click here.

3.3 Community Cultural Development postgraduate course is now seeking applications.

The courses will commence in July 2006, and will provide skills such as community-based research, creating cross-sectoral partnerships, project management, negotiation, and facilitation. Contact Christine Holmes tel 03 9685 9349 or email c.holmes@vca.unimelb.edu.au

3.4 Young People’s Health Conference November 2006 – call for papers and artwork

The Annual Australian and New Zealand Adolescent Health Conference 13 – 15 November in Sydney. For more information contact: Sharyn Low email sharyn@mob.com.au tel 02 4572 3079 or see: http://www.youthhealth2006.org

3.5 Disability in Developing Countries 18 – 22 September Melbourne

Australian International Health Institute short course. For more information see:
http://www.aihi.unimelb.edu.au/education.html or email Joni Law jycl@unimelb.edu.au

3.6 Lock Them Up Disability & Mental Illness Aren't Crimes Conference
Brisbane 17th-19 May 2006

See: http://www.sistersinside.com.au/conference2006.htm

3.7 Sydney Olympic Park Artists at the Armory Artists-in-Residence Program

Sydney Olympic Park offers artists the opportunity to take up artist-in-residence places for up to 3 months at the Newington Armory precinct as part of its community of artists program, Artists at the Armory. All artist-in-residence inquiries should be directed to Tony Nesbitt, Manager – Arts Programming at tony.nesbitt@sopa.nsw.gov.au or tel 02 9714 7110.

3.8 NSW - Art and Poetry Exhibition – enter your work

Access All Areas, an initiative of the Parramatta Mission, is currently doing a call out to artists, 18 years and older, living with anxiety, depression or any form of mental illness in New South Wales to take part in their travelling exhibition of art and poetry. Running for 12 years now the exhibition starts at the Parramatta Town Hall, May 15-19, 2006, and then travels in NSW. Poetry entries closed on 24 February, and Artwork (categories painting, drawing, 3D works, mixed media and photography) entries close on 14 April, 2006. To receive an entry form email carol@leisureclub.org.au or telephone 02 9806 1833. The exhibition is also open to carers of people with a mental illness.

3.9 QLD – Performing Arts Medicine Symposium 13-14 September Mackay

Taking place immediately prior to the Regional Arts Australia Pacific Edge Conference and open to performing artists. For more information contact: Marilyn Bliss and Bob Hayman email marilynbob@ozemail.com.au tel 07 4956 2618

3.10 VIC – Club Wild MC Wanted

Club Wild is seeking a vibrant, crowd-rousing MC with a disability for their dance party events at North Melbourne Town Hall. The events attract an audience of approximately 300 people. Club Wild will provide support and training for the position in the lead up to the events and on the night. Contact Phil at Club Wild for more details tel 03 9459 4601 or 0402 812 428

3.11 VIC – Club Wild Unplugged: Acts Wanted

Club Wild is presenting two Unplugged/Cabaret events at North Melbourne Town Hall in 2006. They are seeking performers with or including people with disabilities from across the performing arts spectrum. For more information phone 03 9459 4601 or 0402 812 428 or email lola1@optusnet.com.au

3.12 VIC - First Steps Professional Development Weekend Awakenings Festival 2-4 June

The Awakenings Festival First Step Weekend for 2006 will be held in Dunkeld. First Step is a weekend of professional development for Artistic Directors, Group Coordinators and those interested in developing arts in the disability sector. For registration and information see: http://awakeningsfestival.com.au/homepage.htm

3.13 VIC – Art of Difference event 18 – 20 May 2006 Melbourne

Art of Difference combines workshops and showcasing national and international artists with disabilities with debate on contemporary art issues. For more information contact Simon Abrahams email sabrahams@gasworks.org.au tel 03 8606 4202

3.14 WA – Art Prize Emotional Compass Navigating Wellbeing deadline 31 March

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 41st annual art awards is calling for entries. Grand Prize $4,000. For entry forms and more information contact Chris Williams at DADAA WA email gallery@dadaawa.asn.au or tel 08 9430 6616

International

3.15 Singapore Fringe Festival 2007 - Arts and Disability - call for entries

The theme for the Festival in 2007 is Art and Disability. A write-up on the Festival and the theme can be found on the website at http://www.singaporefringe.com
The deadline for applications is 15 May 2006 see: http://www.singaporefringe.com/getinvolved/getinvolved.asp

3.16 USA - Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Conference

The Kennedy Center Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Conference 2006 will be held August 3-6 in Washington D.C. For more information email: access@kennedy-center.org.

3.17 USA – 1st ever Chicago Festival of Disability Arts 20 – 30 April 2006

The full program is available at: http://bodiesofwork.org/

3.18 USA - Transformation Art Exhibition - Location & Jury Finalized - Deadline Approaching: Friday, March 24, 2006

VSA arts invites artists to reflect on the many ways art transforms our lives, focusing on the influence of education and disability. Open to artists (ages 22 and over) who are committed to their artistic progress and who have a physical, cognitive, or mental disability. For eligible media and entry forms in English, Spanish, French and ASCII see: http://www.vsarts.org/transformation

3.19 USA – Conference Exploring Accessibility Inclusion and Arts Education

June 9-10 Washington VSA Arts International Conference is for professionals committed to expanding opportunities for all people to learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. See: http://www.vsarts.org/x1500.xml

3.20 Scotland - Conference on the Arts in Society from 15 to 18 August 2006

Session details for the conference include a range of art and wellbeing and art and disability presentations. Read more at: http://a06.cgpublisher.com/session_descriptions.html and:
http://www.Arts-Conference.com

4.0 NEW RESOURCES

Australia

4.1 Report - Early Learnings: Indigenous Community Development Projects

Telstra Foundation Research Report Volume 2, 2005. Read more at:
http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/2005/reports/telstra2/telstra2.html

4.2 Australian Indigenous Health Information Net

See: http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au

4.3 Australian Network for Universal Housing Design

See: http://www.anuhd.org

4.4 Publication - Rob McNamara: autobiography of a disability activist.

See: http://www.touchingthecorners.com

4.5 Music Radio and Disability – Party Zones Australian Website Directory launched

The Party Zones website supports a regular radio program that you can listen to online. See: http://groups.msn.com/partzonesaus Or email Steven and David at partyzone_aus@hotmail.com

4.6 SA – Visual Aspect promotional DVDs

Visual Aspect brings together Tony Doyle Visions with his expertise in the arts, community development and disability issues and Roger Lorenz’s 25 years of experience in broadcast TV and corporate video in the UK and Australia. For more information contact visualaspect@millerstreet.com

4.7 NT – Improving Communication in Indigenous Health Care

An innovative program using the arts to communicate western and traditional medical concepts. See:http://www.sharingtruestories.com/

International

4.8 Accessible Matching Houses Exchange

A web site with a database that can link people anywhere in the world with the same access needs and allow then to arrange a dedicated house swap. This site won a Getting the Message Across Award in 2005 from the UK National Information Forum. Learn more at: http://www.matchinghouses.com/

4.9 UK – Accessibility Handbook for Museums and Educators

See: http://www.artbeyondsight.org/handbook/index.shtml

4.10 UK - Eating the Elephant and Other Plays by Julia Darling

Eating the Elephant and Other Plays brings together plays for stage and radio from one of the North East’s most enduring writers, Julia Darling, who died in 2005. This is the first
collection of her plays. Order at: http://www.newwritingnorth.com/

4.11 UK - Access to Culture for Disabled and Deaf People in London

Last year Shape was commissioned by the Mayor's Office to carry out research into access to culture for disabled and deaf people in London. The report has now been released and can be downloaded from:
http://www.london.gov.uk/gla/publications/culture.jsp

4.12 UK - Paddy Masefield publication Strength: Broadsides from Disability on the Arts

A revealing account of the arts industries’ attempts to exclude disability arts. Paddy Masefield award winning playwright, innovative theatre director and consultant has, since 1990, had an immense influence on the whole field of disability and the arts. To purchase the book see: http://www.trentham-books.co.uk email tb@trentham-books.co.uk

4.13 USA - New Publication and Conference from National Center for Mentoring Youth with Disabilities.

Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) National Center is hosting Aspire, Achieve, Empower: The First Conference on Mentoring for Youth with Disabilities, which will be held in Boston on September 13-15, 2006. The Aspire, Achieve, Empower: Best Practices for Mentoring Youth with Disabilities publication can be downloaded at: http://www.pyd.org/

5.0 ARTS FEATURES AND NEWS

Australia

5.1 SA - Restless Dance new Artistic Director and Production

Restless Dance Company has appointed Billie Cook as Artistic Director for 2006 while Kat Worth is away on Maternity Leave. Kat gave birth to a beautiful 10.5 lb / 4.7 kilo baby boy on the night of Wednesday 8th February. Mother and baby are both doing well. Billie will be directing the company's major production for the year which is Bones, Maps and Doorways (working title) which will be presented in the old Queens Theatre in
Adelaide, August 11th - 19th. For more information see: http://www.restlessdance.org

5.2 SA – New investment in arts to honour disability pioneer

The State Government is establishing a $1 million trust fund to support the arts and disability, and it is being named in honour of the late Richard Llewellyn, who died in 2004. Richard was South Australia’s first disability advisor to the Premier from 1984 to 1991. For more information see: http://www.ministers.sa.gov.au/minister.asp?mId=15&pId=6&iHealth=0&sId=6226

5.3 ACT - Canberra Theatre Centre announces access sponsorship support

Canberra Theatre Centre has confirmed The Home Loan Centre as sponsor for their access initiatives. Canberra Theatre Centre’s access services include live captioning, audio description, hearing loops and priority seating enabling patrons previously not able to attend theatre productions the opportunity to enjoy the magic of live theatre. For more information contact: Donna Bush email donna.bush@act.gov.au or tel 02 6243 5735

International

5.4 New Zealand – Diversity Works Newsletter

Read it online at: http://www.diversityworks.co.nz/news_stories/051222.htm

5.5 Canada’s first Disability Arts & Culture Network

The purpose of the Network is the creation of a national strategy through which
disability arts and culture can continue to garner the respect it merits across Canada and internationally. For more information:
Michele Decottignies michele@stage-left.org
Nicole Dunbar nicole@stage-left.org

5.6 USA - Blind Embrace Art As Museums Welcome Them

At the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri, blind visitors can skim their hands across 500-year-old Spanish tomb covers, an Italian bust of St. John the Baptist, and Modernist sculptures by Henry Moore. Nelson-Atkins is one of 100 museums nationwide that are making art accessible for people who are blind or with low vision. Read more at: http://rd.bcentral.com/?ID=3764611&s=123257299

5.7 USA - The Farrelly Brothers Tackle Developmental Disability in The Ringer

In the new Farrelly brothers comedy 'The Ringer', Johnny Knoxville stars as a man posing as an athlete with a developmental disability, who attempts to rig the Special Olympics in order to pay off a gambling debt. Seems like a recipe for a highly offensive movie, but it's not- in fact, the Farrelly brothers took great pains to ensure that Special Olympians were authentically depicted on film, by seeking the endorsement and extensive input of Special Olympics, and by including some 150 Special Olympians in the movie itself in various roles. The result is a film that celebrates disability Farrelly style - by showing that laughter is the best medicine for breaking down barriers and challenging our perceptions. See: http://rd.bcentral.com/?ID=3665846&s=123257299

5.8 USA - Ticketing Service Department of Justice Case

The US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division has reached a settlement agreement with Ticket Master regarding various aspects of their business practices. A copy of the settlement agreement can be viewed on-line at: http://www.ada.gov/ticketmaster.htm

5.9 USA - Technology helping blind, deaf enjoy movies

Nationwide, more than 150 movie theaters have added special systems to help the deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, according to the nonprofit National Center for Accessible Media. Most of those theaters are in major cities that made the move voluntarily, but states are now putting pressure on theater chains to spread the technology much farther or risk discrimination lawsuits. In New Jersey, four movie theater chains agreed under pressure last year to install deaf-captioning technology in theaters statewide. The attorney general filed a discrimination complaint against a fifth chain that didn't go along. Read the article at: http://www.artsaccessinc.org/AAnews1205.html

5.10 Scotland – Research Project into Participatory Arts and Mental Health

The Scottish Arts Council in partnership with The Mental Health Foundation, and supported by the National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing, is currently recruiting projects for research into Participatory Arts Projects across Scotland, called Creative Connections. Read more at:
http://www.scottisharts.org.uk/1/artsinscotland/artsandcommunities/notices.aspx#cc

5.11 UK - Donna Williams: More Labels than a Jam Jar

Based in the UK, Donna Williams was born in Australia in 1963. She grew up hearing words such as deaf, disturbed, crazy and spastic, and wasn't formally diagnosed with autism until adulthood. As well as writing, composing, painting and sculpting, she lectures and runs workshops on autism all around the world. Her autobiography, Nobody Nowhere, became an international bestseller. Read more at:
http://www.donnawilliams.net

5.12 UK – Websites: Beyond Compliance

From Disability Arts Online looking at accessibility on the internet: Read more at: http://www.disabilityarts.com/develop/beyond-compliance/

5.13 UK – Stressed Workers Enjoy Art for Heart’s Sake

Visiting an art gallery may be the perfect antidote to stress, according to research. Analysis of 28 City high flyers who spent their lunch break viewing art found their stress levels fell by 45% after 40 minutes at the Guildhall art gallery in London. Read more at:
http://arts.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,11711,1682110,00.html

5.14 UK - Disability Writes

On this site disabled writers and would-be writers can get support and feedback, specific to them from people who recognise the barriers faced by disabled people. It has been set up by Just Services, a small workers' co-operative based in Leicester, with funding from Arts Council England. Both registered and non-registered visitors to the site will be able to read the completed work on publication.
The website can be found at http://www.disabilitywrites.org.uk

5.15 UK - Drake Music relaunches website to raise profile of disabled musicians

Drake Music Project, the charity which enables disabled children and adults to create music through assistive technology has relaunched its website at:
http://www.drakemusicproject.org

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