Disability Arts History Australia

Items

• “The Australian Assistance Plan (1973) encourages grassroots activism”
  Grassroots activism is said to have been encouraged by the Commonwealth with the new Australian Assistance Plan (AAP) in 1973, which allowed local communities to "prioritise their own welfare planning" and "triggered an explosion in local advocacy in a range of areas, including self-advocacy for people with disability," according to the 2021 Royal Commission.
• "1963 and 1967 sees the introduction of the Disabled Persons Accommodation Act and Sheltered Employment (Assistance) Act, respectively."
  With increasing pressure to provide more services to people with disabilities, the 1960s was a decade of Commonwealth Government initiatives to support organisations providing work and accommodation to people with a disability, including the Disabled Persons Accommodation Act and Sheltered Employment (Assistance) Act.
• "The Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service (CRS) established in 1941."
  Following the first and second world wars, there was better recognition of veteran disability and the Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service (CRS) was established.
• "First ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC)"
  An ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) starting in 1981 and made people with disability more 'visible' for services and highlighted differences of experiences.
• "Royal Commission on Human Relationships"
  In 1977, the Royal Commission on Human Relationships noted the legal and human rights of handicapped children and adults.
• “Protesters gather in Lismore (NSW) to oppose proposed cuts to services”
  In 2004, 300 disabled persons, along with their relatives and carers, gathered in Lismore to protest proposed cuts to adult, training, learning, and support programs, among other services. These were a part of a series of demonstrations against the state government that included hundreds of demonstrators in Newcastle and resulted in the state government reversing its position on modifications to the Post-Schools Options Disability Program.
• “The documentary series ‘You Can't Ask That’ premieres in 2016”
  The ABC started a documentary series in 2016 called ‘You Can't Ask That,’ which asks "outrageous, uncomfortable and shocking questions to uncover the truth behind some of the most marginalised and misunderstood Australians." The series has featured episodes focused on people with short stature, Downs syndrome, schizophrenia, and autism, Deaf people, blind people, and wheelchair users.
• Force Majeure
• “Restless Dance – Annual Report 1997"
  Restless Dance Theatre Annual Report 1997 - reads, in part "The Company's activities were evenly distributed between high profile performance and community based workshops. Restless hos consolidated itself os on independent leader in youth performing arts in Australia. It is well managed and well skilled using local, interstate and overseas artistic talent to blend the skills of the Company members. Highlights include Sex Juggling, the tour of northern South Australia and the Northern Territory and Kin" - includes Financials and News Clippings
• State Theatre of South Australia
• Stephen Smith
• Lorna Kantilla
• Jess Kapuscinski-Evans
• Danielle Micich
• Alfonso Punitjimi
• Alfonso Puautjimi
• "DADAA No Fixed Address - Promotion Card"
  DADAA No Fixed Address 2017-2020 promotion card - Coverreads, in part "No Fixed Address was a project developed by DADAA in partnership with and a group of Perth-based contemporary artists and filmmakers. Centred in Fremantle’s East End, an area currently undergoingmass gentrification, is St. Patrick’s Community Support Centre, which for the past 40 years has worked to support those who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless."
• “80 wheelchair users and allies halt Melbourne trams, demanding better access to public transportation”
  In a 2000 demonstration organised by the Catch a Tram group, 80 wheelchair users and their allies halted city trams in Melbourne during lunch hours, demanding better access to public transportation.
• Queensland Writers Centre
• Tamara Winikoff
• Andrew Jakubowicz
• "Igneous - Body In Question"
  Reads, in part, "A multimedia movement-theatre show, incorporating dance, video- and slide- projections, a life-sized puppet and an original soundtrack. A diary come to life, portraying the true story of an Australian dancer who – after paralysing one of his arms in a motorcycle accident – journeys through the worlds of medicine, rehabilitation and disability, in recovery of self-expression. He finds new angles on perceiving the body, and new ways to move. "Body image" and concepts of "normality" are questioned."
• Museums Australia
• "Victoria's Disability Resources Centre (DRC) created"
  1981 saw a number of Disability Activists create the first Australian Disability Resources Centre (DRC) for Victorians with disabilities.
• "Sally Northfield (2014) Canvassing the Emotions: Women, Creativity and Mental Health in Context" PhD Thesis Victoria University, Melbourne,  https://vuir.vu.edu.au/29985/, Australia, https://vuir.vu.edu.au/29985/1/NORTHFIELD%20Sally-thesis_nosignature.pdf "
  Reads, in part, "A multimedia movement-theatre show, incorporating dance, video- and slide- projections, a life-sized puppet and an original soundtrack. A diary come to life, portraying the true story of an Australian dancer who – after paralysing one of his arms in a motorcycle accident – journeys through the worlds of medicine, rehabilitation and disability, in recovery of self-expression. He finds new angles on perceiving the body, and new ways to move. "Body image" and concepts of "normality" are questioned."