Disability Action Plan

The Other Film Festival 2008

A strategy that should help to make a difference is the legal requirement for statutory bodies in Victoria 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 itself. Arts Access Victoria has consistently been providing advice and assistance as each organisation develops its Plan. The first four of these include the Arts Centre, Melbourne Museum, State Library of Victoria and National Gallery of Victoria. All these organisations now have DAPs lodged on the Australian Human Rights Commission website, including Arts Victoria.

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 also runs staff training in general disability awareness in the arts. We always recommends that major arts organisations seek to engage direct input from people with a disability to ensure effective Disability Action Plans.

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. Arts Access Victoria has developed such a Plan currently in draft form, and as most of our external work is oriented to increasing opportunities in, and access to, the arts for people with a disability, our DAP focuses on internal operations and best practice models.

For further information or to discuss a Disability Action Plan for your organisation, contact Jane Trengove, Manager, Access Program, Tel 03 9699 8299, TTY 03 9699 7636 or email Jane at jtrengove@artsaccess.com.au