Work is underway on the development of a National Arts and Disability Strategy, following a Federal Labor election commitment to improve the participation of people with disability in the arts.
The Cultural Ministers Council (consisting of Federal, State and Territory Ministers) is now seeking comment on a discussion paper, with the aim of identifying the barriers toparticipation in, and access to, arts and cultural activity.
This national strategy, part of the Social Inclusion Agenda, will be developed in consultation with state and territory governments, local governments and the arts and disability sectors. Improvements to coordination and collaboration across governments is a primary objective.
The intention is that the Arts and Disability Strategy will complement the National Disability Strategy and the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy, both also under development.
Members wishing to make comment should do so by 3 November 2008 to arts.disability@environment.gov.au
Input into an NDS submission can be made by contacting Philippa Angley on 03 8341 4302 or philippa.angley@nds.org.auby 24 October 2008.