ARTS NSW & SCREEN NSW DISABILITY INCLUSION ACTION PLAN This Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) outlines the steps Arts NSW and Screen NSW will take to remove barriers and promote access to services, information, employment and the rights of people with disability. The Action Plan covers four key outcome areas: Attitudes and behaviours Liveable communities Employment Systems and processes This Action Plan will contribute to the work of Arts NSW and Screen NSW to support artists and arts workers with disability to access available resources and programs. Whilst Arts NSW and Screen NSW are separate agencies, their co-location supports a joint DIAP. Our DIAP Committee is represented by members of Arts NSW and Screen NSW staff: Mark Grisedale (Chair) Emma Blong Nea Cahill Archibald Minna Muhlen-Schulte Raj Navis Tracey Corbin-Matchett Johanna Garvin Kelly Doley RUCKUS, Chris Bunton in Speed of Life (detail), 2016. Photo: Heidrun Lohr. MESSAGE FROM ARTS NSW AND SCREEN NSW The NSW Government’s Disability Inclusion Act 2014 was introduced to support people with disability to be fully included in all aspects of economic, cultural and social life. It is our pleasure to present the Arts NSW and Screen NSW Disability Inclusion Action Plan for 2016 – 2018, as part of the Government’s long term commitment to achieving an inclusive society. We are proud of NSW artists and arts, screen and cultural organisations. We acknowledge the significant contribution that artists with disability make to arts and cultural practice and to our cultural identity, community and economy. Arts NSW and Screen NSW will support, champion and partner with screen practitioners, artists with disability and arts and disability organisations as they continue to create work that connects diverse participants, organisations and audiences. We recognise that the experience of arts and culture is deeply personal, and we want everyone to have opportunities to participate in and contribute to the artistic life of our community. This plan reinforces our commitment to equal and full access
Building all new and renovated environments to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth) Access to Premises Standards Consulting people with disability to develop inclusive policies, programs and services Being an employer of choice for people with disability, where their skills and experiences are valued. RUCKUS, James Penny in Speed of Life, 2016. Photo: Heidrun Lohr.
Liveable communities are places where people have the opportunity to live, learn, work and play as they wish. Physical accessibility is important, but liveable communities are also about the opportunity for social engagement, personal and business interactions, feeling safe and secure and being included in community activity. ACTION PERFORMANCE MEASURE RESPONSIBILITY TIMEFRAME Ensure Arts NSW and Screen NSW events are held in accessible venues and all aspects of accessibility. Positive feedback from attendees received. No accessibility issues identified at events. All Ongoing Increase participation of people with disability, including artists with disability, in arts and cultural projects. Administer MOU with icare (formerly the NSW Lifetime Care and Support Authority): 15 arts and disability organisations are delivering projects funded by $670,000 from icare Strategic Initiatives team, Arts NSW 30 June 2017 Attend and speak at events, forums, conferences and workshops with the arts and disability sector. Staff to present at more arts and disability events annually. Executive Team, Managers, DIAP Committee Ongoing Engage in regular discussions and dialogue with the arts and disability sector. Sector encouraged to engage with Arts NSW and Screen NSW. Arts NSW and Screen NSW is informed about arts and disability issues. Executive Team, DIAP Committee, Managers Ongoing Publicise results of research project by the University of Technology, Sydney commissioned under Stage One of the NSW Arts and Disability Partnership: The Social Impact of Creative Participation in NSW Arts and Disability Partnership Projects 2016. Information on research findings promoted by Arts NSW and Department of FACS. Strategic Initiatives team and Communications Officer, Arts NSW. From September 2016 Ensure staff members curating panel sessions at events consider including artists with disability as speakers. Increased representation of people with disability on panels organised by Arts NSW and Screen NSW. All staff Ongoing Improve visibility of and access to Arts NSW and Screen NSW properties. Accessibility issues identified and management procedures in place. Infrastructure team, Business Manager Ongoing Provide services to assist artists in applying for Arts NSW and Screen NSW grant funding. Ensure staff are informed about how to respond to queries from artists with disability. Applicants with disability feel that their needs are adequately met by Arts NSW staff processes. Executive, Arts Development and Investment team Ongoing Ensure that Arts NSW and Screen NSW research and data collection activity includes people with disability. People with disability to be an integral part of research planning and reporting. All staff Ongoing Consult with artists and art workers with disability and relevant communities on major strategic and policy developments of Arts NSW and Screen NSW. The voice of people with disability is reflected in our policies and strategies. Policy and Strategy, Arts NSW and Screen NSW Ongoing
The systems and processes required to access services in the community can be complex. This can be more so for people with disability. It is the responsibility of Arts NSW and Screen NSW to ensure everyone has equitable access to its information and services. ACTION PERFORMANCE MEASURE RESPONSIBILITY TIMEFRAME Ensure that the new Arts NSW website is in line with Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA Success Criteria. New website to be at least level AA compliant. Website accessibility to be monitored regularly to ensure it remains accessible. Communications Officer, Arts NSW By December 2017 Ensure that the Screen NSW website is in line with Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA Success Criteria. Website to be least AA compliant. Website accessibility to be monitored regularly to ensure it remains accessible. Communications Co-ordinator, Screen NSW By December 2017 Ensure the yearly Client Feedback Survey reports on ease of accessibility for Arts NSW systems and processes. Questions about disability and access included in surveys conducted Communications Officer, Arts NSW Ongoing Ensure all are informed about accessible communication and practical access options, through training and resources. All Arts NSW and Screen NSW are aware of and confident with using accessible communication formats and devices. Business Unit Ongoing Develop appropriate peer induction information to ensure assessors are informed about applications received from people with disability. informed about applications from artists with disability and able to make appropriate funding decisions. Arts Development and Investment team Relevant Screen NSW staff. Ongoing Ensure that Arts NSW and Screen NSW communications plans and Style Guide include guidelines for accessible communication. All Arts NSW and Screen NSW communications easily understood and accessible, including social media and other platforms. Communications Officer, Arts NSW and Communications Screen NSW By December 2017 Ensure that all Arts NSW and Screen NSW online services are accessible including the online grants system. Online system to be compliant with Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA Success Criteria. Arts Development and Investment team Relevant Screen NSW staff By December 2017 Investigate alternative formats for communication and use regularly. content for Arts NSW and Screen NSW websites to be captioned and audio described where appropriate. Communications Officer, Arts NSW and Communications Screen NSW By December 2017 TRACKING PROGRESS AND REPORTING
Arts NSW and Screen NSW will establish the following measures to monitor and evaluate the progress of the DIAP. ACTION PERFORMANCE MEASURE RESPONSIBILITY TIMEFRAME Report achievements, challenges and learnings to stakeholders Annual report against DIAP is published on Arts NSW and Screen NSW websites. DIAP Committee Annually of organisation responsibility and commitment Executive regularly updated on DIAP related matters Business Manager Ongoing Conduct an evaluation of actions progressed with the DIAP annually Publish an annual DIAP Progress Report on the Arts NSW and Screen NSW websites. DIAP Committee, Communications Officer, Arts NSW and Communications Screen NSW December 2016 December 2017 December 2018 If you would like to provide feedback or have an enquiry regarding the Arts NSW and Screen Disability Inclusion Action Plan, please contact Mark Grisedale, Business Manager on 02 9995 0985 or email Kayah Guenther in the documentary The Battle, by Poppy Walker & Sophie Hexter, 2016. Image courtesy The H.W. Collective and Northern Rivers Screenworks.