Accessing the Arts Community

Artists with disability have the skills, talent and ambition to compete in the arts industry both here and overseas, but few of us meet this reality.  Why?

All of us knows the long unpaid work hours it takes to get our work from the studio to the gallery wall or floor, in the hope to achieve sales. Yes, there are days . . . . many days we think arrh too hard. Add to this a layer of communication disorder or needing to depend on an advocate to negotiate with a gallery.  Then you needed to nargivate a team of supports and bring them onto the same page.  Your advocate and legal guardian, chances these two people know little about art and even less about working with galleries.

These are the artists I seek to work with . . . But that's not where the access issues begin.  #1 access issue is to have these artists valued as artists and their contribution to the arts community recognised by others.  This begins with pricing work right?  Very wrong. . . This begins with convincing people that artist with disabilities can produce artwork worthy of hanging in public galleries.

. . . Convincing parents, guardians and advocates that these artists should be training at a professional level.  The means the artists I work with are selling or intending to sell their artwork.  Art for well being and warm fussy is great and truly worthwhile. However that is not what I am on about.  Nor do I want to be a tool or participate in tokenism.  I do not like selling other people's art at less than the cost it cost me to hang on a gallery wall.  As if their time and my time is of no value.  This being the case the buyer might as well create the work themselves.

Personally, my support workers are not happy with my own prices. However, I am the one smiling . . . as many of my works do sell.  People usually can recognise my work.  I value my work, my time and my skills and this is what every artists needs to accomplish in order to be working as a professional artists.  How do you ensure this happens when you can speak?

To add insult many of the artists I attempt to work with have to justify the investment in the training, even when its their own money, because they have a guardian.

The # 2 issue is not cost of workshops and classes it is the cost of transport to attend workshop, which is often more than the cost of attending a class. A cry when a parents admits defeat.  Its not work the costs.  No wonder why their self esteem is low. Their begging for the right to go across town in a cab or a few $100 to travel to Toowoomba buy cab. 

Opportunities for the artists I work with will always be limited by the access costs.

# 3 issues is physical access . . . arriving at a building with no wheelchair access, poor lighting and noise.

These are the issues we can easily address with funding. Once we convince people the costs are justify.  The world shouldn't be like this.

You can assist me in addressing access issues for these artist by purchasing you Christmas cards through Artisability.  All cards cost $2 and were designed by those involve in out programs.

can be purchased online

Deb's Roamings

December 3rd is International Day of People with Disabilities

On this day we celebrate the achievements of people with disabilities and there reliance to overcome the obstacles face due to disability. It also provides an opportunity to create discussion in the community around what disability is and how it impacts the lives.  Living with disability does not make us completely incapable and there is still much work to be done in terms of dispelling common myths.

As the National Disability Insurance Scheme is currently being rolled out across Australia the key agenda is to increased participation rates of those living with disabilities, to ensure they have the same opportunities as their able body peers.  Supporting individuals with disabilities gives family members opportunities to participate more fully in life.  These are basic human rights.

So its time to talk about what I can do not my disabilities.  Guess what?

I can do art . . .

And this is the theme of an art exhibition I am participating in to celebrate International Day for people with disabilities. "I can dance and sing in the rain if that's what I chose to do!

This exhibition opens on Monday 28th at 4pm and is hosted by Ipswich Inspirations Gallery in Ipswich City Square.  Gallery is opened Wed to Saturday.

So if I can do art some can many other people living with disability in the Ipswich Region. In 2017 I am hoping to build a socially inclusive network of artists in the region.  If you want to know more I will be at Blair Disability Links on Friday 2nd December between 10 am and 2 pm at Brassell Shopping Center and would love to chat to you about how you can be involved.

I will also be joining in the celebrations hosted by Ipswich City Council on the 4 December 8:30 to 12 pm @ Redbank Plaza Chimera. where the ArtISability team will be assisting people with disabilities to participate in art activities.

As well as celebrating ID4PWD's I am participating in Artistian Markets and two group exhibitions.  You can purchase may artwork at:-

1.  Gifted - Drawing Point Gallery 203 Brisbane Street Ipswich. Opening Night 2nd December @ 6 pm and runs through to Christmas.
2. On the same night I am at Catalysis Twilight Markets 4 pm to 9 pm. Catalysis Church Brassell.
3. Off the wall exhibition - By members of Arts Connect opening night December 9 th @ 6pm.

So I hope I can connect with you sometime over that period.

You can also purchase my work online through my Etsy Store.

Trick or treat . . Choose life

Many Australians view Halloween as an American Custom, involving dressing in costumes to go trick or treating. In fact it is not a American tradition at all. Halloween is a pagan Celtic harvest festival. Halloween as we know it is said to be a 'Christian version' of the festival.  However there is nothing Christian about celebrating the day of the dead.

As a Christian, I see nothing compatible with anything that celebrates death. I believe while death may destroy a body, life of a soul is eternal. With two options, eternal life with the 'light of the world', Jesus Christ or eternal darkness. The separation of the soul and the body, that which we term death, closes the door on an opportunity for a soul to repent.  Those who die without Christ are condemned to eternal darkness away from 'Christ who is the light of the world'. Certainly that is nothing to celebrate.

Halloween is celebrated on the eve of All saints Day, by the Roman Catholic Church.  All Souls Day or All Hallo is celebrated by the Church.  On all souls day they pray from the dead to be reunited with Christ. Something that death itself  prevents and on All saints day the pray for the dead of the faith. Here we see the 'Christiansted version' of Halloween still focus on death. There is nothing to celebrate when it comes to losing a soul to eternity.

Death in totally incompatible with life. As a Christian I am predominated with life, praying for the living and spreading the message of Jesus Christ which is life giving.

Jesus himself said let the dead buried their own dead. Luke 9:60.  There is no foundation of a genuine believer to be celebrating a feast of the dead.  If you are using this occasion to share the gospel do not say your celebrating the Day of the Dead  use it as an opportunity to shine Christ love.  Be honest with those who walk a crocked line. Ask them to celebrate life by asking Jesus Christ into their lives. This would be real cause for celebration.

At the curificition the Roman soldiers micked Christ, taken any opportunity to dress as the dead - to celebrate death, could be potentially harmful, it certainly is not edifying .  Choose to celebrate life instead.

Trick or treat . . .Let me treat you to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Addressing Access Issues

A day in the like of an artist

The first access issue I face each day is . . . How do I get from A to B?  As well as living with Cerebral Palsy, I have epilepsy, meaning I can't just jump in the car and pop to the art shop for supplies. The typical day means a support worker arrives about 8 am to assist me to get ready for the day, whatever that may hold.

Like everyone else their is more to life than creating art. My disabilities mean squeezing in medical appointments, between art class, working on social media marketing, coffee with my neighbour, networking, grant writing, the accounts, paying the bills and juggling all this around four support services and sixteen workers. No sweet!

And most days I do this with my head held high. Its been a BIG year, with my first solo exhibition, traveling interstate with my artwork, and more and more artwork selling.  Sadly ArtISabilty has had a few bumps, but we're still out their making noises, with two events to finish off 2016!

I am still deeply passionate about increasing the participation of people with disabilities in Ipswich.  As an artist one thing I do well is shine!  By exhibiting and selling my artwork, I am saying disability doesn't need to be a barrier to employment, achievement and even assisting others.

However accessing the community even for me remains a challenge.  The major challenge sadly is dealing with social acceptance and building an inclusive community. I am realising the key to Improving all access issues, is challenging social norms.  It's not the norm for people living with disabilities to work; its not the norm of people with disability to be in management roles. its not the norm for people with disabilities to access the community independently...

Well hello! Your finally realising I not normal and I don't want to conform to social norms.  Yet daily society reminds me or the norms, where's your carer.  It takes energy and courage to navigate foot paths, traffic, building and toilets.  I try not to focus on what happens if I have a seizure.  With my seizures ones again unstable I am limit to accessing the community with others.

ErrrrH! this means using a telephone with a communication disorder, explain yes I am very aware I have a disability, but I am the manager, no my cat can't talk and I the only on here.  I'll call you back . . . Well be sure that company isn't going to provide a quote. Dealing with access issues doesn't allow you to submit grants late while you wait for quotes.

I smile and feel a wonderful sense of achievement despite the daily deconstruction of barriers eventual I achieve my goals. I am relicant and resourceful.

 However the artists I work with are still struggling with the traffic, footpaths and toilet doors the can't open. Lack of affordable transport options still lock them out for the community and some remain voiceless.

You can assist me to address the many access issues in Ipswich by purchasing Christmas designed by the artists I work with. These can be purchase through my online shop.

NDIS Reform

The two key words for understanding the NDIS reforms are "choice" and "control". The National Disability Insurance Scheme seeks to give individuals and families self-direction in determining the own lifestyles. Until now this has not been possible, as 'funding' was tied to a region not individuals and their individual and family needs. The key objective of the scheme is to increase participation rates in community life.

It is important to note that the agreement between each state and the federal government is different and when accessing information from the Website you click on the state in which you live. Todays post is about reform.

For those living with disability it is easy to get caught up with the changes needed under the new funding arrangements, our needs and preparing our plans for the National Disability Insurance Agency, we lose sight of the reform goals themselves.

The role of the NDIS is to assist people with disabilities and their families 'to live their best lives.'

The NDIS is a reform for all Australian and seeks to raise the equality of people living with disabilities with the peers. At policy level this is about social reform, but I feel the sector has lost sight of these as it struggles to grapple with the complexities of changes at grassroots level.  We are all flying on the edge of our seats.

What trouble me is social reform needs to be address at community level and like many policies people do not engage in discussion unless it affects us.  The irony is the NDIS is there in the event a person acquires a disability. Its great to seek the government tackling things like underemployment, aging population and encouraging independence, but until social inclusion issues are address the uptake on accessibility improvements to business, housing and cars will be slow. 

There has been little conversation other than facebook in regards to building community awareness, community engagement is only possible if everyone us open to changed.  If the public perceptions is one for "People in need of help" . Then things like employment opportunity and leadership roles are not going to evolved. 

The missing ingredient is empowerment. To make choices people need to be informed and understand all the options and the conquences of each choice. More encouragement is need from parents and carers for people with disabilities to have a go and the culture to protect and 'care for' people with disabilities is still very strong.

The funding changes are being rolled out but is the social reform keeping pace.

 

In quest of transpancy

I remember a teacher in high school saying we get the politician we deserve.  Even back then I remember thinking it was a crack pot statement. What I didn't realise back then was the degree of lobbying and policy research that happens behind the scenes. We only hear the debate that is release in the public domain and that which the media choses to release.  

Lately I've been surprised by the different styles of reporting by the commercial stations and the ABC. Every entity has a political agenda whether they admin it or not.  I no longer view politics as the apparling behaviour the media reports.  The real politics in this country occurs behind close doors, before the parties come out to sell their policies to the Australian public.

I remember not so long a go I felt hopeless about the future of this country,  as if my vote didn't count.  I alone could not change the forces that drive this great nations, basically I realised the media and in particular social media that run the nation. 

The statement my teacher made all those years ago were ringing true.  The majority of Australians are lazy and let the media direct their votes and I was in danger for becoming another member of the mob. Luckily I joined the Leaders for Tomorrow Program which open my eyes to grassroots of politics. Policies are formed at grassroots level and the Every Australian Counts Campaign proved that citizens can challenge government policy and lobby groups can at least hold the parties to be transparent. For too long we have allow ourselves to be spoon feed.

I can work with members of any major party provided I do my home work and read the policy documents. I am struck by may key campaigners who have never sighted a policy document.  We certainly have the policies we deserve. 

I am entitle to ask the hard questions and I am entitled to an honest answer. If I am serious about grassroots politics, I need to do the hard yards and learn the skills of a diplomat.

Recently I joined the Get Up crew, all I want is transparency. 

Addressing Access to Transport

Firstly, I like to acknowledge the significant improvement in the public transport system in access for those living with disabilities introduced by the Queensland Government. As I have shared access in not just, providing physical access to venues, transport and facilities.  Access involve a whole range of issues, which Queensland Rail in now acknowledging. Including portable ramps, hearing  loops and brail information.

However many transport access issues are around 'location', 'timetables', time frames and affordability.  Access to transport us a major issue in the Ipswich Region and its about more than providing accessible public transport.  The access point is understanding the complexities of issues that people living with disability face.  Addressing these issues is difficult because of myths that exists in the disability sector itself.

• The mobility allowance and taxi subsidy scheme covers additional costs of transport.
• Public transport is an affordable alternative for those living with disabilities.
• Use of public transport increase independence of people living with disabilities.
• Every person living with disability can use public transport if supported by a companion.
• Public transport fits with the schedules of people with disabilities.
• People with disabilities have no time constraints.
• Transport service providers suit all people and client can determine pick-up times, to fit in with their complex support needs.
• Transport service providers are understand of individual needs and converse well with those with communication disorders.

In addressing transport access needs lets not pretend the issues are simple to identify and a one size fits all approach will not address access issues.

Locations and Timeframes

Location, location, location . . .  In the Ipswich region, particularly in outer areas is not always available and where it is not all people with disabilities can access it independently.  Most people I know who need support to travel independently, have limited support session and where multi transport modes are required bus/rail/bus travel time restrictions rule out public transport, as do commitments that occur outside business hours.  There become a time in the evening where safety issues need to be consider, especially when people are walking home from train stations.

At some point peoples residential address becomes and issues and create barriers for those unable to drive, either through lack of service to an areas, safety issues or time need to  travel by public transport. The introduction of community transport services has vastly improved meeting the areas needs.  However not everyone qualifies for these services and some are let to pay full costs to services.

I had found the introduction of these services has ease the demand on traditional taxi services and the demand for Maxi Taxies. However wait times remain excessively long in peak hour.  The pulling of funding for these services by the Queensland government prior to the commencement of the National Disability Insurance Scheme places demand back on the taxi companies and increase peoples transport costs.

Where support workers using the own cars to transport clients has provider an alternative for people living with disabilities, this funding has too been with drawn.  This bring people with disabilities to a point where at some stage during their week they will be locked out of community participation.  With this in mild I am launching my annual transport for artists living with disabilities fundraising activities.

Our 2015 Designer Christmas Card Ranger is again available and can be purchased online through my Esty Store.  The link is on your right hand column and Doodle n Dribble will have them available at the Railway Workshop Meson Twilight Markets on Friday 21st October.  

All cards are $ 2 each!