Disability Arts History Australia

Items

• Adrian Salter
• Adam Warren
• Abigayle Carmody
• Abigail Maralngurra
• "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.
• "DADAA Annual Report 2015-2016"
  DADAA Annual Report 2015-2016 - Chairperson and Executive Director’s Reports, New premises, NDIS, Workshops, Exhibitions, Performances, Screenings, Freight and Focus Galleries, Online Gallery, Online Broadcasts, stARTSpeak, Art Link Programs for Children and Young People, Awesome Festival, Nexus Arts Grants, Professional Mentorships, Financials
• "Tutti Ensemble - Department of Collective Laughter - Promotional Flyer"
  Tutti Arts - Tutti Ensemble - 'Department of Collective Laughter' 2006 Promotional Flyer - reads, in part "Join Laughter mass every weekend. Check out examples of contagious laughter. Watch laughter-explosions spread like prairie fire through the city. Become infected! Converted!"
• “Deaf film ‘A Silent Agreement’ is released in 2017”
  The Deaf film ‘A Silent Agreement’ was released in 2017 (written and directed by Davo Hardy). This romantic drama features a profoundly Deaf human rights activist and his filmmaker boyfriend with a speech impediment. It is said to be the first Australian film to feature Auslan as the main dialogue. Some scenes are entirely in Auslan. Screen Australia calls it the “first Australian film to feature Auslan.”
• “Deaf activist and artist Asphyxia creates a music course and accessible music app for D/deaf people”
  Asphyxia, a profoundly Deaf Australian activist, artist, author and composer created a music course (2020) for people who are D/deaf and Hard of Hearing to write their own music. In 2023, Asphyxia also created an app called Amplio to make music more accessible to D/deaf people.
• “Les Murray's poetry is influenced by his autism”
  In 1974, Les Murray wrote a poem about autism, ‘Portrait of the Autist as a New World Driver’. Over the decades since, autism has continued to be a theme, as recognised by Amanda Tink.
• "Founder of the Victorian Association of Braille Writers and the Association for the Advancement of the Blind publishes her memoirs"
  In 1947, “Memoirs of Tilly Aston: Australia's Blind Poet Author and Philanthropist” was published. “Memoirs of Tilly Aston” is an autobiography by Mathilda Ann Aston who was the first blind person in Australia to go to university. Aston founded the Victorian Association of Braille Writers and the Association for the Advancement of the Blind.
• “Assistance to Composers Advisory Board created by the Commonwealth government.”
  In 1967, the Commonwealth government created the Assistance to Composers Advisory Board with an aim to advise on funding needs for music composition and promotion of Australian composers. The Board was to judge work based on “musical distinction or excellence of its kind, and on the promotion of Australian composers both in Australia and abroad”. The Board’s functions were later absorbed by the Australia Council.
• “The Deaf Film Society creates the documentary ‘Our World’.”
  In 1970, the Deaf Film Society created a documentary called ‘Our World’ on the lived experience of people who were d/Deaf. The Adult Deaf Society assisted with the project.
• “Documentary ‘Stepping Out’ follows first group of intellectually disabled people to perform at the Sydney Opera House”
  In preparation for the International Year of Disabled Persons, a documentary was made called ‘Stepping Out’ directed by Chris Noonan and narrated by Romayne Grace, a resident at the Lorna Hodgkinson Sunshine Home. The documentary follows a group of residents as they prepare for their big debut at the Sydney Opera House. The movie was shown during the International Year of the Disabled's UN closing ceremony. The 1979/1980 Australia Council report had the following statement "A production staged at the Sydney Opera House by residents of the Lorna Hodgkinson Sunshine Home for the intellectually handicapped impressed the Theatre Board as both innovative arts-based therapy and worthwhile theatre in its own right." The 1980/81 report further stated "It was the first time anywhere in the world that a group of mentally handicapped people had performed publicly in the cultural centre of their city."
• “Fusion Theatre established in 1997”
  Fusion Theatre (Victoria) was established in 1997. "Since its beginnings as a drama group, Fusion has expanded into two main performance ensembles that make up the company. The ensemble members collaborate with professional theatre makers, guest performing artists and designers, to devise theatre performances based on the stories, imagination and ideas of all participants." Fusion Theatre’s ongoing association with Deakin University's Faculty of Arts and Education means that each year, Deakin’s theatre and drama students work with Fusion as artists, performers, assistants, and theatre technicians. Some alumni continue to be involved with the company.
• “Auslan features intermittently on Australian television throughout the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s”
  Auslan appeared intermittently on Australian television throughout the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. Ana Maria Belo has curated a video compilation of scenes featuring Auslan. Belo calls it “a very brief history lesson on Deaf Actors on Australian Television before Social Media.” As she explains, “this is not a complete list of performances, but a nod to the actors who blazed a mighty trail for those of us who attempt to follow.”
• "Dr G. Yunupingu plays keyboards, guitar and percussion on Yothu Yindi's 'Treaty'"
  Geoffery Gurrumul Yunupingu, an indigenous Australian from the Gumati Clan on Echo Island, was a blind musician, singer and song writer. As a child taught himself to play a guitar "upside down". He started as a guitarist, key board player and percussionist for the pop/rock band Yothu Yindi who had the international hit "Treaty" in 1991.
• “The inaugural National Braille Music Camp takes place”
  In 1986, Ian Cooper was one of the creators of the first National Braille Music Camp, which continues annually.
• Ignition Theatre Training
• "Tutti Ensemble Newsletter Term 1 2006"
  Tutti Ensemble Newsletter Term 1 2006 - reads, in part "The Tutti Arts Launch showed that Tutti Ensemble Inc is a key driver in the creation of a truly enterprising direction for inclusive community disability culture in SA. From the outset, Tutti has proved itself to be driven by innovation, and with a strategic plan and vision, we have every opportunity to continue showcasing our work internationally and also to export the model we have created."
• "Interview with Roz Hervey"
  Roz Hervey is a Creative Producer with Restless Dance Theatre and is also a director, dance theatre performer and lecturer. Interview Summary: Roz Hervey, the creative producer of Restless Dance in Adelaide, previously worked as a dancer and dance theatre artist in Australia and the UK. Her approach with Restless Dance involves creating personal and reflective dance theatre by giving dancers specific tasks. Roz does not view the performers as disabled but as exceptional artists telling unique stories, and she aspires to change societal attitudes and encourage diversity in art. Despite progressing towards inclusive perceptions, she still encounters patronizing attitudes and misconceptions about artists with disabilities.
• "Soprano Marjorie Lawrence performs in her wheelchair in the 1940s"
  In the 1940s, Australian soprano Marjorie Lawrence contracted polio and performed in her wheelchair, both nationally and internationally, showing veterans life after disability was possible. Platforms were modied for her wheelchair so she could perform.
• “Screen Australia launches an access coordinator training program”
  Screen Australia launched an access coordinator training program in 2023. “The Access Coordinator role is intended for people from the Deaf/Disabled and/or Neurodivergent (DDN) communities who are committed to improving disability representation and removing barriers to inclusion.” Screen Australia partnered with the following organisations for the initiative: the New Zealand Film Commission, Screen Queensland, Screen Tasmania, Screen Territory, Screenwest, VicScreen, the South Australian Film Corporation, Screen ACT, Screen NSW, and the Australian Film Television Radio School.
• David Helfgott
• Gary Cooper