Disability Action Plan

The Other Film Festival 2008

A useful strategy that helps to create significant access improvements is the development of a Disability Action Plan.  In Victoria it is a legal requirement for statutory bodies to develop Disability Action Plans (DAPs) as part of the State Disability Act 2006 (Section 38). This includes the eight Arts Victoria-funded portfolio arts agencies and Arts Victoria.

The Australia Council for the Arts has also required that its funded agencies develop Disability Action Plans. This means that all Victorian funded organisations will need to address access and inclusion issues if they are to receive their funding. Much of Arts Access Victoria’s external work is oriented to consistently providing advice and assistance as arts organisations in Victoria develop their DAPs.

Whilst Arts Access Victoria is busy assisting with DAPs as they develop, we are also involved advising on the implementation of the Plans. Advice is sought on a range of issues regarding access services and accessible information provision. Arts Access Victoria also runs staff training in general disability awareness in the arts. We always recommend that major arts organisations seek to engage direct input from people with a disability to ensure effective disability action planning.

Arts Access Victoria recommends your arts organization consider creating a plan for your venue, festival or event.  The Office for Disability has created effective guidelines for developing disability action plans.  Follow this link for more information: www.officefordisability.vic.gov.au/disability_action_plans

For further information or to discuss a Disability Action Plan for your organisation, contact the Access Program Manager, on Tel 03 9699 8299, TTY 03 9699 7636 or Email info@artsaccess.com.au