Getting to grips with what can seem such a complex and occasionally emotive issue as disability can be a daunting prospect ? one which the National Disability Arts Forum believes that many arts organisations, for fear of being overwhelmed, shy from rather than confront.
Yet understanding the everyday obstacles disabled people face and how they can be overcome is vital for any arts organisation wishing to be inclusive. In the UK this is probably easier than anywhere else in the world. Due to some skilful funding in the past this country has some of the most sophisticated and exciting disability arts organisations to be found anywhere. Amongst these are the disability arts agencies which can be found in most parts of the country. They operate a mix of arts activity and advice work and are staffed, in the main, by disabled people. These organisations should be able to help with just about any enquiry a mainstream arts organisation could have and are usually more than willing to consider collaborative work ? an excellent way to introduce disabled people to mainstream arts and to develop a new audience. To promote your organisation?s work to the wider disabled community, talk to the NDAF about Arts Access UK, its online venue access guide, and EtCetera its email bulletin.
Contact Geof Armstrong Director of the National Disability Arts Forum.
t: 0191 261 1628; Textphone: 0191 261 2237; e: {ndaf@ndaf.org; w: www.ndaf.org}