The Australian Government is committed to equity and equitable access to the arts for artists, screen practitioners, arts workers and audiences with disability. The Plan is a call for representation and disability equity to be championed across Government and the wider arts, screen and cultural sectors, and will help deliver outcomes under Australia’s Disability Strategy.
Artists and arts workers with disability, with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, assisted the Government in developing the Plan. They expressed the view that many people with disability in the arts and cultural sector prefer to use identity-first language to describe themselves.
To reflect and respect this feedback, and in line with our approach in the Plan, we use identity-first language on this webpage and other communications about the Plan when referring to d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers, and person-first language when talking about disability for audiences and people in the wider community.
People with disability have made, and are continuing to make, outstanding contributions to the arts, screen and cultural sectors. Centering their voices and experiences in both the development, and implementation of the Plan is critical to its success.
Between November 2023 and January 2024 the Office for the Arts convened a diverse group of practising d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers from across Australia to participate in six disability-led and facilitated co-design workshops to develop the framework for the Plan; its priority action areas; and practical investment options for delivery. The group of artists and arts workers, including First Nations representatives, had a breadth of experience across the arts, screen and digital games sectors.
Learn more about some of the members of the Co-Design Working Group.
Information on the previous National Arts and Disability Strategy, including a link to submissions to the 2018 public consultation and Research Overview, can be accessed via the National Arts and Disability Strategy page link on Trove.
Accessing Equity: the Arts and Disability Associated Plan
You can access Equity: the Arts and Disability Associated Plan by clicking on the links below.