As an Australian Government agency, the Australia Council has developed the arts and disability action plan 2008-2010 to guide the organisation in its operations, programs and strategies in relation to access and equity for people with disabilities.
The plan also provides the Australia Council with a framework in which to better articulate both internally and externally our future organisational goals in this area.
Through its arts and disability action plan the Australia Council aims to ensure that all Australians with a disability are given the opportunity to engage fully with its programs and services. In addition to this, the Council aims to support a range of initiatives that increase opportunities for artists, participants and audiences with disabilities to engage in Australia’s arts and cultural life.
For the period 2008-2010 the Council intends to continue a sustained commitment to arts and disability activities across all our program areas. According to the 2003 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) survey of disability, ageing and carers one in five people in Australia (3.96 million or 20 per cent) have a disability. Within this context disability is defined as any limitation, restriction or impairment, which is likely to be long-term and restricts everyday activities.
Key goals
The arts and disability action plan has four key goals:
1. Leadership: To take a leadership role in increasing awareness of arts and disability issues at a government, policy and organisational level.
2. Accessibility: To improve access to the Australia Council’s programs, services and its built environment for people with disabilities.
3. Communication: To improve the Australia Council’s communications and promotions relating to arts and disability.
4. Workplace culture: To foster a workplace culture that is responsive and inclusive of people with disabilities.