Reflections of past practices at Decadance

25 August 2011

Review submitted by Helen Lobato

Decadance is an annual event for people with a disability. This year it took the form of a disco event held on August 20 at Moreland Town Hall. Decadance is also a ‘play’ on the word decadence. But while the dance is neither immoral nor decadent, it is deservedly self-indulgent.

On the dance floor a group of children and young adults with Down syndrome perform. Dressed in black tee-shirts and shiny leotards, their faces are gleaming. Their proud bodies move in tandem endorsing their motto ‘moving bodies and moving boundaries’. The audience responds favorably: It taps and moves its collective body applauding generously.

The dancing group is called e.motion21. ‘The name refers to the emotional response from the audience when they see our dancers perform,’ says founder and President of the group, Cate Sayers. ‘It’s a play on words with motion referring to movement, and the number 21 referring to trisomy 21, the additional chromosome in people with Down syndrome,’ she adds.

Moreland Council’s inclusive events have been running for 11 years. ‘We began with art workshops where participants made the table and room decorations but this year we decided to have a disco event,’ said Cultural events officer, Olivia Greenwell.

Moreland has chosen wisely it would seem, for over 200 people are attending the event. Performers, parents and carers have come from all across northern Melbourne; from St Albans to Preston with the majority, residents of Moreland.

Enthusiastic dancers compete for space on the crowded dance floor jiving to the beat of the Pearly Shells Quartet. The old town Hall has come alive.

This accessible and inclusive event could not have happened thirty years ago. For much of the 20^th century most disabled people lived in institutions where abuse was not uncommon.

However with the growth of community pressure in the 1980s, an Australian Government review of services for people with disabilities took place culminating in the Disability Services Act 1986. The passing of the act changed the focus away from institutional care, to care within a home environment.

Along with this shift came major improvements in how disabled people are treated by society with the focus being on abilities rather than disabilities. Although many disabled people still suffer from lack of opportunities and discrimination, compared with the lives of previous generations, there is much to be celebrated.

The results of past practices are still evident as the founder of e.motion21 reminds me: ‘We have some thirty year olds in the group who were not even verbal to start with, but are being drawn out of their isolation and saying a few words,’ reflects Sayers.

Sayer’s daughter Alexandra has Down syndrome. ‘Alexandra loves to dance and perform just like her sisters, but as she got older, mainstream dance classes did not suit the type of support and learning environment that she needed.’ Because of the lack of facilities available for her, Sayers set up e.motion21.

Opportunities for people with disabilities are definitely improving and evident here today. When I arrive at the Town Hall I am met by a cheery, confident young man who welcomes me to Decadance. Michael is performing the front door duties and later he takes part in the stage management. He’s studying Certificate 1 in Transition Education, a course which aims to provide people with a disability the skills to access further education or employment. ‘I’ve been told to put a big smile on my face and greet the guests’ he said. And this he does with style.

Michael is one of seven students who have received training in lighting, stage management, and front of house duties in preparation for the event. Mentored by industry practitioners they are eager to take part.

21 year old Jessica is a young woman with Down syndrome. She’s a resident of Brunswick and has large dark eyes and shoulder length hair pulled back with a bright purple headband. ‘To your left are the restrooms’, she tells the ladies attending the disco. Her excitement is palpable. She will soon be helping with the stage lighting.  ‘I just love the theatre, the costumes and the makeup’ she says.

Mary works for the Department of Human Services and comes here every year with her clients. She is standing at the back of the room. I offer her a chair but she declines, saying she is working. As we talk she furtively eyes the room. ‘I’m a bit worried about one of the women. She hasn’t been well lately and I’m concerned that the loud music might upset her’.

She needn’t have worried, for her charges are in the middle of the dancers, captivated by the big band music of the 1940s. The Pearly Shells Quartet is playing ‘Happy Birthday’. While I don’t know whose birthday we are celebrating, I do know that although the 20^th century is to be condemned for its treatment of the disabled, it can be really proud of its enduring music. Well done, Moreland Council.  Like Mary I’ll be back here next year.

Helen Lobato is a Melbourne writer.

Image: e.motion21 dancers at Decadance