The Role the NDIS Plays

One of the roles of the NDIS is to assist individuals and families living with disabilities to access and participate in community life. I am an author, visual artist and disability advocate.  My current NDIS goals are to extend my visual art practise and build in roads for inclusion in the local art community.

In addition to navigating the NDIS 'red tape, traps and pot holes', I face many physical and attitudinal barriers in presenting my artwork to my intended audience.  

A specific goal for 2018/19 was to host a solo art exhibition in Brisbane this is a huge undertaking.  Art galleries tend to be older buildings with poor access, but I never let a few steps get in the way and my recent exhibition at Greaser Gallery was no exception. However I am not confined to my wheelchair and can manage with assistance to climb a few stairs. 

Greaser Gallery website assures interested parties it is accessible - this was not my experience.  Although the space has some access plus' if you experience a sensory disability or behavioural disability. 

Low lighting and the freedom to use the sound system to play music would make it a 'safe' environment for someone on the autism spectrum.  However even using the back entrance meant I needed to negotiate one step.  This is easily overcome by the use of a small portable ramp.  When we discuss access we are usually referring to 'physical features' of venues.  i.e. Do they have a toilet I can access. In Greaser's case 'no'.

As I work with other artists the major access issues they encounter are:-

1. Affordable accessible transport
2. Affordable venue space
3. Attitudinal barriers

Greaser hits the mark on all three of these issues, assuming the artist is able to access the train.  The location of venues can often prove more of an access issue then the physical appearance of a building. Many people with disabilities are reliant on taxis which often make accessing the community unaffordable or totally exhausting. Added to this is their work is often undervalued by those who represent them or their audience meaning their profit margins are lower than their peers. 

The space at Greaser Gallery current fees and their commissions are very low making their Gallery affordable to emerging artists.  Pricing on Brisbane Galleries revealed they are on average four times the cost of Ipswich and almost always, their commissions were higher.  

I found the Greaser staff lovely to work with, respectable and very encouraging.  As a visual artist I have the advantage of letting my work speak for itself.  My disability is only discovered after my artwork is accepted.  . . . Unless I need to make contact by phone.

This is where my ndis plan comes into play by addressing my individual access needs.  My key support worker acts as my PA and makes most of my work calls on my behalf and does a lot of my leg work so I can focus on producing artwork. 

Difficulties accessing the arts can occur way before the artist submits a proposal.  Even in the production process and accessing resources artists with disabilities are at significant disadvantage. Few have the ability or technology to research the art gallery market and many who are dependent on others - such as support staff are limited.  Few workers are serious about empowering participants to be part of the art community and they often play a significant role in artwork being under valued.  Some artists who are part of a studio run by support studios are not paid and do not own their own work. 

The creative work in producing an art piece has no value attached if it is produced as part of a day respite program.  I suggest these artists seek out supported art studios, which are staffed by quality art support workers who assist in promoting both the artists and their work.  Artists living with disabilities should seek the advice of their state peak body.  In Queensland that is Access Arts. 

Was honoured to have Pat Swell support my 

recent exhibition.  Pat is the CEO of Access Arts

here in Queensland and a fellow champion

for inclusion in the arts.

So many businesses and organisations only scratch the surface in addressing access issues for people with disability.  If the business community were to get serious about disability access then they would develop a Disability Action Plan.  This identifies the access issues their services present for those living with disability and outlines a plan to address each barrier over a period of time. The plan must also include a commitment to disability awareness training for all members of staff.  Due to costs that could be a 10 year plan or even a living document, this at least demonstrates a willingness to participate in building an inclusive community.

In the absence of disability action plans, there is no commitment to partnering with the NDIS to increase the social and economic participation of people living with disabilities. Many working in the disability sector itself have much to learn about empowering people to make their own choices and not letting their own prejudices and fears limit those they work with. 

My NDIS plan has played a major role to achieve my ambitions, art goals and contributing to social inclusion in roads in the Ipswich Art community. 

Arts Connect Ipswich

recipient of 

2019 Event of the Year

Australia Day Award 

Having YOUR Voice

art exhibition by artists with disabilities.

Reaching my ndis goals

Opening Night at Greaser Art Gallery

My name is Deb Chilton and I am a published author and poet and visual artist. On Sunday the 24th February I hosted my first Brisbane solo art exhibition.

With Pat Swell, the CEO of Access Arts

Every participants plan under the ndis is based on their personal or their family's goals.  Funding should not be about a person's disability nor directly related to their disability. Rather it is a plan to enable an individual or family to develop the life they want to live. So the participants goals should reflect, where they want to live and whom they want to live with, in most cases that will be the participants family, however there are some individuals who choose to live on their own or with friends. 

My home doubles as my art studio

My ndis goals are around extending my visual arts practise and building my audience. I am also invested in community inclusion and building a diverse arts community in Ipswich.  I achieve this through working with the local art community and some of my artwork explores my own thoughts on what that community should look like.

I also have goals around being independent and remaining safe and confident in the lifestyle I live.  Choice and choosing how you as a participant want to be supported is a key reform in the ndis.  My support needs are unique to my disabilities and I only require individual one on one support, some equipment and supports around enhancing my daily living to participate in the community. 

One of my physio hit outs

For me I achieve this through a range of therapies to keep me fit and active. Prior to the ndis I found being supported by traditional support services limiting and I wasn't able to utilise my support hours in the way I wanted. This has been the most significant change for me under the ndis and I now direct my own support team.  For me this means sourcing the people who I feel are best able to support me, choosing how my staff will be engaged,  organising my own roster.

With my support team meeting guess at my art exhibition

The ndis allows family and participants to choose how and who administrates their ndis package on their behalf. As I am self-employed and run a small business I was able to choose to partly self-manage my own plan and funding.  I have my key support worker assist me in this role.  My speech is a major communication barrier so my key worker makes most of my phone calls either with me or on my behalf.

The ndis should provide all participants and their families with more choices and flexibility, however my experience is you need to voice what you want constantly and sadly many traditional providers just want to work with every participant in the same way. This is not how the ndis was designed to function and you shouldn't be bullied into doing things the way services want. However my experience is it's a lot less energy to just go with the flow and my ideals are wavering. 

Engaging my own support workers, though platforms like Hire Up and individual contracts has given me the flexibility I needed to take my art practise to the next level. Most services operate during the week, however the majority of art activities I engage in are after hours. Transport has always been and still is a major access issue for myself and others with disabilities. With limited means of transport and the costs, people with disabilities still have limits placed on the activities they choose,  I am very blessed to have support staff who are flexible to make my work schedules work.

Spider Web Block Print

My major ndis goal to have my first solo exhibition in Brisbane was only possible because I stepped away from the traditional support services and the generosity of support staff who were willing to work outside the box. 

I am passionate about making this a reality for others in the years ahead.  The ndis may be new but there are many things about the ndis that need to be fixed and better funded.  I hope this post gives you and your family the courage to build the life you want to live.