Our November news is full of great announcements and opportunities for the arts and disability sector in NSW.

It is that time of year again, with 16 days to go until International Day of People with Disability on 3 December. Each year the UN announces a theme. The theme for 2016 is: Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want, which draws attention to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and how these goals can create a more inclusive and equitable world for people with disability.

The annual theme provides a frame for considering how people with disability are excluded from society by promoting the removal of all types of barriers; including those relating to the physical environment, information and communications technology (ICT), or attitudinal barriers. Countries all around the world have been celebrating the day since 1992. Please visit the IDPWD website for its calendar of events.

Accessible Arts would like to congratulate all the winners at the recent 10th National Disability Awards 2016 in Canberra. The awards celebrate the achievements and contributions from individuals and organisations who work to improve the lives of people with disability. Accessible Arts was a finalist in the Excellence in Community Partnerships Award for The Deaf Arts Network's (DAN) contribution to the NSW Deaf community. Through its dynamic cultural program, DAN gives people greater access to professional opportunities in the arts sector. Find out more, or how to get involved with DAN, visit the Accessible Arts website.

One night, many ways to celebrate.

There's no better place to welcome 2017 than Sydney – the New Year's Eve capital of the world. Our world-class event attracts over a million spectators to Sydney Harbour, and more than one billion people across the globe tune in at home.

The City of Sydney aims to produce an experience of Sydney New Year’s Eve that is safe, inclusive, accessible and enjoyable for all. The accessible options available below can help make Sydney New Year’s Eve memorable for everyone.

There are over 20 accessible general public vantage points. Use the interactive vantage point map with “Accessible” filter to find the perfect location.

Top tools to plan your night!

• Your one-stop-shop for everything accessible can be found online here Sydney New Year’s Eve
  
• Our Event Guide is available in formats including large print, braille audio and multiple languages

Approximately 1.3 million people in NSW have a disability, this is one in every five people.

In partnership with community groups, media, sponsors and other Government agencies, the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) will again deliver the hugely anticpated Don’t DIS my ABILITY awareness campaign. 

In 2016, Don’t DIS my ABILITY will encourage positive interaction between people with disability and their communities, particularly surrounding their career achievements.

This campaign period runs between Monday 21 November – Sunday 11 December 2016. Visit the Don't DIS my ABILITY website for more information.

The Artist with Disability Fellowship is offered by the State Government through Arts NSW, in collaboration with Accessible Arts, to enable a professional NSW artist with disability to undertake a self-directed program of professional development.

The Fellowship is open to artists working in any artform including dance, music, theatre, visual arts, writing, hybrid/interdisciplinary arts and screen content.

The information on this page is a guide only. Before you apply, please read the 2017 Artist with Disability Fellowship Guidelines for more comprehensive information, including special eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for this funding category. The Guidelines are available for download as PDF or Word on the Arts NSW website.

Applications open: 20 September 2016

Applications close: 19 December 2016 (5pm, AEST – Sydney time)

To be eligible to apply you must identify as a mid-career/established professional artist with disability, be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident, and be a NSW resident (which is defined as residing in NSW for at least 12 months prior to making your application).

Funding is available for activities commencing after May 2017, and the Fellowship recipient will be awarded $30,000.

In partnership with Murmuration, The Young Americans will facilitate a week-long Summer School designed for participants with disability.

The Young Americans provide performing arts education and performance opportunities to young people and young adults around the world. Their workshops bring an incredible combination of skills-training, high-energy, team-building, confidence boosting FUN!

Participants will learn from and perform with this super talented international cast. As well as developing performing arts skills in singing, drama and dance, participants will perform alongside The Young Americans in a community sharing. 

Using music as the tool, The Young American cast of trained college age performer-teachers provide a safe and fun atmosphere for participants to learn, explore, create, and GROW!

For more information please visit the Murmuration website.

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