In July 2006 the Department of Culture and the Arts, in partnership with the Disability Services Commission (DSC) began working on the Disability and the Arts Inclusion Initiative (DAII). The project saw arts and cultural organisations in Western Australia embark on a journey to provide opportunities to people with disabilities and their families and carers, to participate in everyday arts and cultural activities.
In December 2006, 14 arts and cultural organisations signed up to become DAII partners, and complete Stage 1 and 2 of the four stage DAII model (pdf). Seven of these organisations went on to create an inclusive project with a disability organisation or artists with disabilities.
Open Arts Reflections on the Disability and the Arts Inclusion Initiatives in Western Australia (pdf) celebrates the achievements of each of the nine arts and disability partnerships and includes practical information on how to build inclusive and welcoming arts and cultural experiences.
Message from the Director Generals of DCA and DSC (pdf).
Department of Culture and the Arts Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2007-2011 (pdf).
Accessible arts experiences case studies:
Inclusive theatre for young people (pdf)
Barking Gecko Theatre Company in partnership with the WA Deaf Society
Experiencing art through touch (pdf)
The Art Gallery of Western Australia in partnership with Vision Australia and Sculpture by the Sea
Taking accessibility online (pdf)
Propel Youth Arts WA in partnership with Swan Friendship Club
Arts for everyone (pdf)
Country Arts WA in partnership with the National Disability Services WA
Improving the live theatre experience (pdf)
Perth Theatre Trust in partnership with Subiaco Arts Centre, Barking Gecko Theatre Company and Senses Foundation
Inclusive arts practice case studies:
Growing community arts (pdf)
Victoria Park Centre for the Arts in partnership with Nulsen
Moving dancers into the professional sphere (pdf)
STRUT Dance
Weaving inclusion into the community (pdf)
Mundaring Arts Centre in partnership with DADAA WA and the Hills Community Support Group
Integrating dancers of all abilities (pdf)
Ausdance in partnership with DADAA WA and the Mandurah Disabled Support and Recreational Respite Inc
In 2009 the Department of Culture and the Arts contracted the Centre for Research into Disability and Society at Curtin University of Technology to develop an evaluation of the DAII partnership model (pdf).
The evaluators were asked to determine whether the DAII model enhanced the capacity of the arts and cultural organisations to be more responsive and inclusive of people with disabilities. One of the key findings in the evaluation report was that "the DAII model should primarily viewed and promoted as a change process to build inclusion".
The findings of the report will form the basis of future partnerships with the Disability Services Commission.
Venue Access
For information on access to Western Australian art and cultural venues for people with disabilities please visit the Properties Venue Accessibility page.
