The attitudes and behaviours of the general community towards people with disability have been described as the single greatest barrier to full access and inclusion. Attitudes and behaviour permeate all aspects of life. Low expectations and negative attitudes about people with disability as artists serve as barriers to professional practice. Developing positive attitudes involves increasing awareness and changing negative perceptions over time.
Goal
We remove attitudinal barriers and encourage inclusive behaviours, enabling people with disability to engage and participate in Gallery activities through the reflection and continued training and revision of policy and practice.
Objectives
1.1 Leadership Ensure Gallery leadership is involved and invested
Action 1.1.1 - Present to the Board on disability and access, including an annual DIAP progress report. [Ongoing timeline]
1.2 Representation Ensure the Gallery reflects the society we live in
Action 1.2.1 - Build relationships with artists with disability and explore opportunities to engage with artists with disability in collection development, exhibitions and programs. [Ongoing timeline]
Action 1.2.2 - Increase representation of people with disability across the collection, marketing collateral, social media and website. [2023 timeline]
1.3 Staff confidence and competence Build staff skills and understanding of disability and accessibility
Action 1.3.1 - Mark annual days/events relating to disability with engagement activities for all staff. [Ongoing timeline]
Action 1.3.2 - Provide Disability Awareness and/or Inclusion training to staff on induction and refresher training every 2–3 years. [Ongoing timeline]
Action 1.3.3 - Provide opportunities for Public Facing staff to undertake bespoke training. [Ongoing timeline]
1.4 Front of House Ensure Front of House staff can engage with a diverse audience
Action 1.4.1 - Include Auslan skills as desirable expertise in position descriptions for Public Facing staff. [2024 timeline]
Action 1.4.2 - Provide visitors requiring backpacks in the Gallery for medical reasons with an identifiable bag tag. [Ongoing timeline]
1.5 Disability expertise Utilise internal and external disability expertise to implement and monitor the DIAP
Action 1.5.1 - Maintain the internal DIAP Working Group to monitor DIAP delivery. [Ongoing timeline]
Action 1.5.2 - Re-establish an external Disability Advisory Group, consisting of community members with expertise or lived experience of disability. Utilise other disability expertise as required. [2023 timeline]
1.6 Continuous learning and improvement Continue to build knowledge and skills around access and inclusion
Action 1.6.1 - Ensure staff are supported to engage in professional development opportunities. [Ongoing timeline]
Action 1.6.2 - Stay updated with current access advancements within and outside the arts sector and communicate to relevant staff. [Ongoing timeline]
Action 1.6.3 - Continue to track visitor feedback and include questions in existing surveys. DIAP Working Group to review. [Ongoing timeline]
1.7 Audience development Ensure the Gallery’s access services and features are communicated clearly
Action 1.7.1 - Design a plan to communicate access services to target audiences. [2023 timeline]
