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Introduction
The Physical Disability
Council of NSW (PDCN) welcomes the opportunity to
forward comments as part of the development of a
Cultural Action Plan for Accessible Arts NSW. Our
response focuses on promoting community inclusion
into all cultural and community programs.
Identified objectives aim at fostering positive
personal and social outcomes. As PDCN does not
provide either cultural or artistic programs, nor
direct service to individuals, PDCN could not
effectively respond to the items listed under
'Thoughts and Submissions' in the request for
written submissions.
PDCN has defined 'arts' and
'culture' as the following:
Culture
"Culture goes
beyond the arts, to encompass all aspects of
daily living - the design of our cities, the
values attached to land and natural
environments, to trends in fashion and
clothing, to language and customs, to
heritage and ideas. Further to this, our
culture encompasses our spiritual and
religious beliefs, our values and attitudes.
"
Arts
"The arts are
commonly recognised as the tools through
which each culture transmits meaning, belief,
attitudes and identity. Through artists and
artisans or through collective participation,
the arts give form to our imagination,
aspirations, dreams and potential. The arts
include literature, performing arts (dance,
music, theatre, opera), visual arts
(painting, sculpture, craft, design), digital
arts, film, photography and architecture."
(1)
Broad Outcomes of an
Inclusive Model
PDCN is the peak body
representing people with physical disability in New
South Wales and focuses on issues including access
to the built environment, public transport and
recreational facilities.
An inclusive society is
achieved when people with disability are involved
in every aspect of political, social, economic and
cultural life. Inclusion in community processes and
facilities are aimed at achieving the following
outcomes:
- To have increased the
variety of artistic and cultural opportunities
available to all members of the community,
including people with disabilities
- Development of cultural
and community skills through: advocacy,
preparation of Disability Action Plans,
conducting Access Audits and Disability
Awareness Training, preparation of funding
submissions, community management and event
management
- To have enhanced personal
development through participation in artistic
and cultural activities
- To have provided
opportunities to increase the income of
individuals with a disability involved in
cultural programs
- To have reduced social
isolation, and
- To have promoted positive
images in the media and community.
Recommendations
1. PDCN recognises
that Accessible Arts does not have the resources
to provide direct services to people with
disabilities, and consequently needs to
increasingly develop community networks and
partnerships with external service providers,
particularly with Local Councils
2. To encourage people
with disabilities to become actively involved in
the organisation of cultural programs
3. To ensure that the
needs and interests of people with disabilities
are well represented by allocating 1 -2
positions for people with disabilities on the
Management Committee of Accessible Arts
NSW
4. To provide educational
opportunities for students in relevant faculties
to increase their awareness and understanding in
order to facilitate the inclusion of people with
disabilities into cultural programs
5. Support member
organisations to apply for funds from Federal,
State, Local Government and private
businesses
6. To promote equal
employment opportunities for people with
disabilities to be employed as managers,
teachers, event organisers, performers or any
other paid positions
7. Develop a complaints
mechanism and promote this action to member
organisations to assist with service
improvement
8. Develop a Disability
Action Plan with the following
subsections:
- Physical
Access
- Community
Awareness
- Customer
Service
- Equal Employment
Opportunity
- Complaints
Mechanism
Issues relevant to the
Inclusion of People with Physical
Disabilities
- Physical
access
- Transport
- Access to mainstream
recreational/ leisure services and an
inflexibility regarding the hours of
operation
- Cost of entry to artistic
and cultural events
- Staff awareness and
training
- Need for increased paid
and volunteer support
- Holidays, and
- Vacation care
programs
(1) Willoughby Council
Cultural Policy 2004 - 2008 Page 5
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