Including People with Disabilities in Performance - City of Darebin

community
participation
Including people with disabilities
in your performing group

community
participation
A resource to support the
inclusion of people with disabilities
in performing groups
Acknowledgements:
Written by Nicola Johnson.Thanks to Leesa Nash, City of Darebin Performing Arts Project Officer 2002–2003 whose indepth
research provided material and inspiration for this publication.Thanks also to Jayson Rolston, Lesley Hall, Janice Lane,
Claire Hogan, Kath Melbourne, Geoff Rietschel, Ursula Harrison, Michael Findlay, Megan Harper.
Photography by Ponch Hawkes.

Contents
Why be inclusive / What constitutes a disability 2
How to get started / Accessible rehearsal space 4
Promotion / How to make that initial contact / Flyer 5
Where to promote 6
The next stage / Issues you may encounter 8
Supported participation 9
Partnerships 10
Progress / Working towards the performance 11
Performance Space accessibility 12
The Performance 12
Feedback / Where to from here? 13
Funding options 13
Attachment 1 Resources available from City of Darebin 15
Attachment 2 Where to Promote and Contacts 16
Attachment 3 Skills Development Options 19
Attachment 4 Funding Opportunities 22
Attachment 5 Performance Opportunities 24
Attachment 6 Disability Discrimination Act 25
Bibliography 26

2
introduction…
Why a guide? Who can use it?
This guide provides information and strategies to
assist community groups and organisations to
include people with disabilities in performing arts
activities.The guide also addresses some of the
issues that may arise in bringing about meaningful
participation in performance-based arts activities
for people with disabilities.
Performing arts activities can be many and various.
You may be running a choir or band and want to
arrange a concert or gig featuring local performers
at a community venue.You might be planning a
local production with an amateur theatre
company. Or you might be involved in a
community dance group that has been invited to
perform at a neighbourhood festival.There are
many other types of performing arts activities
your community group could be involved in.
Why include people with disabilities
in community groups?
People with disabilities make up nearly 18% of the
Darebin population forming a significant group
within the community. In Darebin we value
participation in community life from people of all
abilities, ages, ethnicities and backgrounds.We
recognise that participation from all sectors of our
diverse population brings many benefits to
individuals and strengthens the whole community.
Infrastructure and practices that encourage
inclusion for all have become a priority of
community based organisations large and small.
Benefits of participation by people
with disabilities
(recognising strength in difference)
The benefits of participation in community groups
by people with disabilities are many and include:
For the individual
• development of self-esteem and a sense of
belonging
• overcoming social isolation
• opportunity for creative expression and
development of related skills
• opportunity to showcase skills and talents
• working with others in the community who
share interests
For the group and wider community
• greater understanding of the creative potential of
people with disabilities
• awareness of the potential to contribute to
community life by people with disabilities
• visibility of active and creative role models for
other people with disabilities
• potential to develop innovative art forms in
music, dance, theatre etc
• potential to incorporate the experience of living
with disability into the framework of community
life and cultural expression
• social interaction between people with and
without disabilities
What constitutes a disability?
People can be affected by disability in a number of
ways.When thinking about disability it is important
to consider its different aspects. If someone has a
spinal cord injury for example they may not be
able to walk and have difficulty using most forms
of public transport.The person may have multiple
disabilities which could include physical,
intellectual, psychiatric, hearing, visual or
neurological impairments.

Community Participation – Performing Groups
3
Involvement in the performing arts by people with
disabilities can be as varied as it is for people
without disabilities. People with disabilities
participate in the performing arts as audience,
performers (actors, comedians, musicians, and
dancers), creators (writers, directors,
choreographers, and composers) and production
crews (stage managers, sound and lighting
technicians etc).
The experience of one young performer from a
youth theatre group illustrates the kind of journey
that can be made through participation by people
of all abilities in performing arts activities.This
group is made up of young people between the
ages of 16 and 26 who develop and perform their
own material.
The group aims to create innovative, challenging
and original performance, working with young
people to develop their artistic potential in a
positive creative environment. It operates in
partnership with a local government organisation
but is largely self-run.
Allan’s Experience
Allan has a disability that he acquired as a young
child. He had been studying drama at secondary
school and was keen to continue his drama
outside school.A disability support worker heard
of a theatre group for young people and put Allan
in touch.
The referring disability support provider organised
attendant care hours to assist Allan to participate
as an equal member of the group.This kind of
support often greatly assists the successful
integration of a person with disabilities into a
community group. But after a few sessions Allan
wanted to operate within the group
independently, to communicate with other
members on his own terms as a young adult.
The organisers agreed with Allan that he could
cope independently and he was able to reduce his
attendant care hours while participating in the
group.This led to increasing independence at the
same time as his stage presence and skills were
developing. Because of his emerging talent he was
increasingly given roles which included large tracts
of script to learn. His learning difficulties instead of
barriers became challenges he had to meet if he
was to succeed in a field he found inspiring.Allan
has gone on to become a regular performer in
performing arts activities, developing his acting and
singing skills and becoming involved in writing for
theatre while forming relationships with other
young performing artists. He is currently enrolled
in a theatre course at TAFE.
The illustration above is drawn from a performing
arts group that grew out of an initiative of local
government and as such has retained strong links
with cultural and funding networks. However its
success as an inclusive group is heavily dependent
on the flexible attitudes of its organisers and their
willingness to work with individuals according to
their aspirations and stages of development.
David’s Experience
The experience of David illustrates how someone,
a professional dancer, has dealt with an entirely
different form of disability. His journey has led to
the development of a new performance art form
that expresses his experience and quality as an
artist.While David stands out as an exceptional
talent, he provides the kind of role model to
inspire other people with disabilities and to change
attitudes in the community.
David is a member of a professional dance
company from the UK that mixes abled and
disabled bodies.The company has toured Australia
giving performances and workshops. David has
become famous for his unique dancing style which
is both beautiful and confronting.

4
getting started…
He dances using the strength of his arms to
locomote, as he does not have legs.This both
challenges the watchers’ assumptions of what it is
to dance and ballet’s insistence on physical
perfection.
Not everyone’s experience of performing arts
activities is so dramatic or leads to professional
outcomes. For many people the chance to express
ourselves as part of a group, to get out of the
house and develop interests and skills with like
minded people is sufficient reward. But you never
know where things can lead…
How to get started
Let’s say you are an amateur musician with a belief
in the power of music to bring people together
and enrich their lives.You want to start a
community singing group with the goal of
performing at a local festival. If things go well you
hope to continue and develop the group after the
initial performance.
You are aware that in many cultural activities
people with disabilities are under-represented and
you are determined to make your group and its
experience at the festival as inclusive as possible.
After all you want to attract as much local talent
as you can.You have limited resources, a working
knowledge of your craft and heaps of enthusiasm.
Accessible Rehearsal Space
One of the first things to do is organise suitable
rehearsal space. It will need to be low cost
because members of the group will have to share
expenses as you have no funding at this stage.And
it will need to be accessible for people with
disabilities.
When looking at venues, try to imagine what it
would be like if you were a person with a disability
attempting to access the building.Think of the
different types of disabilities people may be dealing
with.
If you can, take someone with you who has
experience in the area. If you don’t know anyone
with a background in disability access, contact City
of Darebin and ask to speak to the Access for All
Abilities Officer* or the Disability Access Coordinator*
for advice. Council can also send you a
booklet entitled Community Spaces and Places*
which is a listing of community venues that have
varying degrees of accessibility.The listing is
updated annually and is a useful guide. However it
is recommended that you view a space with
regard to your particular requirements before
making a booking. Once a rehearsal space has
been established, keep meetings and rehearsals in
the same building where possible to increase
people’s familiarity in getting to and using the
facilities and feeling comfortable there.
The managers of venues who provide inadequate
access may be willing to provide temporary ramps
or make arrangements to improve access for
people in the group with particular needs. It is
worth discussing your needs with them in case a
solution can be reached.This will also increase
their awareness of accessibility issues.
Example
In the Darebin Music Feast of 2003 many local
bands applied to perform. One of these bands
included a young woman who used a wheelchair.
The band was scheduled to perform in the youth
program at Preston City Hall. However, while the
Preston City Hall was accessible for audience
members, there was no permanent mechanism in
this historic building to provide safe access for a
performer using a wheelchair. Although City of
Darebin had developed a plan to provide
permanent stage access, the project would not be
finished in time for the Music Feast.Through
discussions between the Music Feast organisers
and the City of Darebin venue managers, the band
was re-scheduled to play at a Music Feast event in
a smaller hall where a portable ramp and staging
could be used to provide access, enabling the band
to perform.
* See Attachment 1 on page 15 for contact details.

Community Participation – Performing Groups
5
Access Issues to consider:
• The venue is accessible for people with mobility
difficulties
This means that a person with mobility issues or
who may rely on a wheelchair can enter and use
the building comfortably and safely.
• The same entry is used by all people
If this is not practicable owing to the limitations
of the building, make sure that the wheelchair
entrance has clear signage and is open for the
same duration as the general entrance. (People
should not have to make special arrangements
to be let in or out).
• The building is accessible to transport
Check that the building is close to public
transport and has safe and accessible pick-up
and drop-off points for people travelling by car
or minibus
• Toilets and bathrooms are accessible, close to
rehearsal area and on the same floor.
Again, think of the needs of someone who may
have mobility issues, use a wheelchair or require
physical assistance from a carer to use the
bathroom facilities.
The answer to your quest for rehearsal space has
come from a neighbourhood house.You became
aware of the large room available in the house
through a City of Darebin directory, Community
Spaces and Places, which lists spaces available for
community use.Although the neighbourhood
house is located in an early twentieth century
bungalow, the management places a priority on
accessibility and has been supported by City of
Darebin to make the necessary alterations
allowing independent use by people in
wheelchairs.
Promotion / How to make that
initial contact
The Flyer
What you want to do now is let people in your
area know that the opportunity to join the group
and perform in the festival is on offer.
You decide to make a flyer that could be included
in a neighbourhood house mail-out, taken to other
community distribution points such as doctors’
surgeries and put up on notice boards in
community centres.
Again think of the range of people you are trying
to attract.They may be visually impaired.They may
have difficulty reading or comprehending complex
language.
The aim is to create something simple with only
the essential details.
Consider using the following to get information
across simply and effectively:
• Large print – at least 12 point
• Clear typeface, such as Arial
• Clear headings
• Plain English
• Concise sentences
• Logical order
• Uncluttered layout
• Non reflective or greasy paper
• Maximum contrast, such as dark letters on a
light background
• Graphics and symbols where this will help
illustrate the text.The symbols that are
introduced at this stage should be repeated in
any other printed material where relevant.
Computer Clipart is a cost effective option for
communication symbols.

6
Ask somebody who is not aware of the details of
your project to check the information for jargon
or unclear information.
Start with a strong headline to attract interest.You
could add a simple picture, which is repeated on
all the printed material so that people can identify
associated information instantly.
Headline eg Sing Together and Give Your Soul
Wings
What is it? eg Express yourself through song and
the strength of many voices. Come along and have
your say about setting up a community singing
group to perform at the Darebin Music Feast
Who is the group for? eg You don’t have to be
Pavarotti – everyone is welcome
Where it could lead to? egThis year the Darebin
Music Feast.Tomorrow the World!
Where is it? meeting or rehearsal venue address /
include here where to park and how to enter the
facility where relevant
When is it? Day / time / starting date / frequency
Cost per session when known
Contact person phone number and email address
Funding or in kind support logo where applicable
Your first flyer may well be to invite people to a
meeting to discuss setting up the group. Details
such as rehearsal / performance dates, costs etc
may not have been established yet. Invite
discussion of your project by phone or email so
that people who may have difficulties attending the
meeting can have input and receive feed back from
the meeting.
If people with disabilities and or their carers are
able to attend and have input, the early stages of
the group’s development will be more productive
in terms of setting up an inclusive activity.
Once the group has been set up and activities
scheduled you may want to do a second flyer to
encourage more people to join and to confirm
details to those who have already shown interest.
For further information on presenting information
in accessible ways refer to Inclusive Communication:
Guidelines for Providing Information in Accessible
Formats. Contact Culture and Leisure Department
on 9230 4305 to be sent a copy.
Where to promote
Local organisations are usually happy for you to
display flyers on notice boards or counters and in
waiting rooms. If they wish to encourage clients to
become involved in your activities, some
organisations will also help with distribution of
information.Always phone first and establish a
contact person. Check that it’s OK to bring the
material and when is a good time to bring it.
The types of organisations to approach include
community health centres and doctors’ surgeries,
neighbourhood houses and community centres,
community information centres, disability agencies
and supported accommodation houses. For
contact information about these organisations in
Darebin see Attachment 2 Where to Promote and
Contacts, page 16. Check the Yellow Pages under
medical / locality guide / medical practitioners for
doctors’ surgeries in the local area.
City of Darebin key staff and departments
The following staff and departments will assist you
to disseminate your information to their
customers:
• Culture and Leisure Department 9230 4305
• Access for All Abilities Officer 9230 4305

Community Participation – Performing Groups
7
• Festivals and Cultural Events Co-ordinator
8470 8211
• Youth Services Department 9230 4355
• Aged and Disability Services 9230 4428
• Disability Access Co-ordinator 9230 4635
City of Darebin Libraries
You can deliver or post material you want
displayed at any of the branches to Preston
Library stating which branches the material is
intended for. Phone them first on 1300 655 355.
Or you can visit any branch personally to drop off
flyers etc See Attachment 2 Where to Promote and
Contacts page 18 for individual branch addresses.
Note: If you are a library member you can access
the internet or email material free from any
branch. Phone ahead to book time to use the
computers.
City of Darebin Customer Service Centres
Material for all customer service centres can be
lodged at Preston Customer Service Centre. State
clearly which Centres the information is intended
for.There are Customer Service Centres at
Preston, Northcote, Northlands Shopping Centre
and Reservoir Civic Centre. All customer service
centres can be contacted as follows:
Postal address: PO Box 51
Preston 3072
Phone: 9230 4444
Email: mailbox@darebin.vic.gov.au
You can also visit your local Customer Service
Centre to lodge promotional material. See
Attachment 2 page 16 for contact information for
individual Customer Service Centres.
The Media
Make the most of free coverage from the local
press, community radio and newsletters.There is
no guarantee that your information will be aired
or printed but the following organisations will do
their best to include your information. Contact
them early and check out their guidelines:
Local newspapers
The Northcote Leader and Preston Leader have
weekly ‘What’s On’ columns for community
activities. Phone 9489 2222. Fax 9481 2083
Newsletters and Program Brochures
Contact local primary schools about including
your flyer in their newsletter that goes home to
families.
Check with your neighbourhood house whether
they can include your activity in their program
brochure.You may already have an entry in their
program brochure which means you will also be
included in the Darebin wide Courses and Activities /
Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres
brochure. Phone the City of Darebin Culture and
Leisure Department on 9230 4305 to be sent a
copy. Or you can pick one up from your local
neighbourhood house. (See listing on page 16)
The Access for All Abilities project at City of
Darebin puts out a quarterly newsletter entitled
Out There in Darebin and Yarra which includes
feature articles on recreation opportunities for
people with disabilities and a ‘What’s On’ column.
To find out more about Out There in Darebin and
Yarra or to be sent a copy phone 9230 4305.To
send information to Out There in Darebin and Yarra
email to leisure@darebin.vic.gov.au.
City of Darebin also puts out a regular newsletter
and weekly email called D’art about arts and
cultural activities in Darebin.To find out more
about D’art contact Lesley Hall on 9230 4458.
(For contact details of other community
newsletters and websites refer to Attachment 2
Where to Promote and Contacts on page 16).

8
the next stage…
Contact community radio and television stations
that may have specialist programming where you
can promote your activities such as Radio 3CR.
Radio for the Print Handicapped and Channel 31.
See Attachment 2 Where to Promote and Contacts
page 17 and 18 for contact details.
Depending on where you are based, consider
taking material to local cafes and music venues.
Speak to the managers who will often be happy to
display material.
The next stage…
So now you have a small group of interested
people wanting to form a singing group and keen
to get going on rehearsals.You have booked
rehearsal space at the neighbourhood house and
you should have plenty of time to get something
together for the festival. But things are going a bit
slower than you thought…
Not many people with disabilities have enquired
and only one, Anne, has come on board in the
early stages.Anne’s involvement however has been
extremely helpful, particularly when looking at
accessible rehearsal space.Anne uses a wheelchair
and drives a specially modified car. She has no
difficulty parking in the permit only zone adjacent
to the neighbourhood house and has found the
access to facilities inside the house adequate to
her needs.
However, another would-be participant, Carmel, is
having difficulties understanding where she has to
be at what time and how much money she needs
to bring for the bus fare.Also she is worried about
how she will get home.Three rehearsals in and
she hasn’t made it to a session yet.
It is clear that this person will need a lot of
encouragement and some solid support to
participate even though she has stated that she
loves to sing and wants to be involved.
If she was a resident in supported accommodation
your recourse would be to discuss any issues with
the resident and staff and try and reach a solution.
But Carmel is one of many people living
independently with limited support. In the end
Carmel’s involvement is made possible by her
sister who decides to join the group herself at
your suggestion. But not before considerable time
has been spent encouraging Carmel to talk to her
sister and pass on relevant information so that her
sister can contact the group. In these sorts of
interactions you need at all times to consider
privacy principles and allow time for a workable
relationship to develop. If family support is not
available you may need to consider developing an
informal buddy system within the group where
another group member assists the person to
participate.This would require an additional
committment from the person who volunteers to
assist, which should be acknowledged by the
group, perhaps through waiving membership fees.
Enquiries have been made about your singing
group by support workers at a supported
accommodation house.They have a group of 4
people with intellectual disabilities who are keen
to join in. However, they share their mini bus with
another house and can only make it to one
rehearsal in three.
This means that the rehearsals they can attend will
be critical.And the down time between rehearsals
will need to be managed in a way that keeps the
group members feeling involved.The material this
section of the group will be working on will need
to be kept simple and easy to learn but remain a
satisfying part to sing in the larger group.The
carers will need to be involved in the creative
process of the group and aware that their input
will be crucial if their residents are to have a good
experience of participation in the group and at the
festival event. Clear communication between the
group, carers and residents will be critical from
the outset.

Community Participation – Performing Groups
9
On nights when the bus is available it is decided
that the supported accommodation residents and
their carer arrive half an hour early for a special
warm-up session and coaching before the rest of
the group arrives. Closer to the festival
performance you may wish to discuss the funding
of one or two special sessions with a professional
musician who is experienced working with people
with disabilities. Festival organisers will have access
to music networks and funding information to help
with this. If you do arrange additional sessions
make sure you do so in consultation with
participants and relevant support staff so that
transport and support arrangements can be made.
Supported Participation
Part of setting up an inclusive group involves giving
early consideration to what you can realistically
offer in terms of support to people who may be
affected by a disability. Many people with
disabilities manage independently provided physical
accessibility is reasonable. In other cases an
informal buddy system within the group can be all
that is required to assist an individual to
comfortably participate in the group’s activities. If
however someone arrives in the group
unsupported but with high support needs you
need to carefully monitor how this affects the
group, its activities and the experience of the
participant concerned.You may need to discuss
significant issues that arise with the participant,
family members and / or a disability support
worker who has a professional relationship with
the participant.At all times respect the
participant’s privacy and ask him / her to provide
any contact details of other parties. It is important
that the participant concerned is involved in any
strategies put forward to address the situation. In
the event that resolution of a situation appears
beyond the resources of the group you may need
to look for advice and/or resources from a larger
community organisation with whom you have
formed a partnership.
For example you may have decided that a person’s
continued participation is dependent on the
presence of a disability support worker. If, in
discussion with the person and their family, it
appears no worker is available, advice and help
should be sought from your partner organisation
whose knowledge and funding networks are
extensive.
Jay’s Experience
Jay, a young person with cerebral palsy had heard
about a local theatre company by word of mouth.
He wanted to join as an independent person
without additional support. Early in his
participation it became clear within the group that
he was not coping unsupported which was
affecting his own experience of the project and
that of other participants.The director of the
project discussed the situation with Jay and with
the producers. It was agreed that support would
be beneficial and money was sourced from within
the budget to provide a support worker.The
support worker had a background in theatre and
disability and was able to assist Jay to participate
to his full potential as a contributing member of
the group.
In the case outlined above, the group was already
in receipt of funding which allowed it to employ a
worker once the need was identified.Your group
may not have this level of flexibility in its early
stages but could investigate funding down the
track to pay for some sessions of this kind. (See
Attachment 4 Funding Opportunities page 22).
Costs / short term
Make an assessment of what running the group is
going to cost.You have decided to volunteer your
time as group leader.You have enough musical
skills to train the group and select music according
to the group’s interests and capacity.

10
For more specialised development of the group
(down the track) you may need to seek project
money for workshops that employ professional
musicians or support workers with a performing
arts background.
Immediately however you will need some money
to cover room hire, photocopying, tea and coffee
and promotion. If you want to encourage people
with disabilities to become involved costs to
participants will need to be kept to a minimum.
This is where building community relationships can
be very helpful.
Partnerships
Reduce costs and increase resources and
networks by forming partnerships.
Don’t look on your relationship with the
Neighbourhood House providing your rehearsal
space as simply a hall hire situation.
By forming partnerships with established
community groups (in this case the local
neighbourhood house) you have scored points in a
number of areas.
One advantage of your new association with the
neighbourhood house is their support of your
goals and activities.They will do everything they
can to facilitate your involvement at their venue.
They are also a good point of contact for people
with disabilities as they run several programs for
people with varying forms of disability.
After discussions with you the co-ordinator of the
House may be keen to include your group’s
activities in its term program.This is sent out each
term to House participants, associated community
groups and selected mail lists. Some neighbourhood
houses send out two semester programs per year.
As part of the House’s involvement in the Darebin
Neighbourhood House Network your activities
are also promoted in Courses and Activities /
Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres
in Darebin.Twelve thousand copies of this
brochure are distributed throughout Darebin over
a six-month period.
As a neighbourhood house program provider your
hourly costs for using the space may be reduced
or waived which will help to keep costs to your
participants affordable. Or you could consider
negotiating an arrangement with the house which
may allow you free rehearsal space in return for in
kind support such as agreement to perform at
house events and/or some negotiated in kind help
in the office (which group members may be happy
to contribute).
With your permission the house can also pass
contact details and brief information about your
project to interested enquirers.Their assistance
with promotion of your activities may extend to
inclusion of your flyers in selected house mail-outs,
saving you significant costs. Staff and volunteer
awareness of your planned activities will provide
you with a valuable point of contact for potential
group members in the community. As previously
mentioned there are likely to be people of all
abilities using the house program and facilities who
will be able to easily access your promotional
material when they visit the house.
Festival Partnership
The impending dates of the Darebin Music Feast
have been a catalyst in getting your singing group
together. It has provided an initial time frame to
work within, an opportunity to present yourselves
to the public, some free press coverage,
experience of performance, and the opportunity
to receive feedback. Benefits of participation
include the opportunity to network with other
artists working on the festival and with the local
Council and festival organisers.

Community Participation – Performing Groups
11
This may lead to knowledge of other activities or
programs your group members could benefit
from.
A large community festival such as the Darebin
Festival or Darebin Music Feast may be able to
provide limited financial assistance to cover some
additional costs of participation in the festival
performance by people with disabilities. Or they
may have already planned for a roving disability
support worker for the main festival program days
that could be of assistance. Make sure you keep
talking to the festival organisers and the City of
Darebin as you go through the process of
preparing for the performance.
Progress
In our scenario, your singing group is on the way
to becoming a choir.As well as a focus on
inclusion you have tapped into the sense of
community you have observed.Your group is
beginning to identify as a neighbourhood choir
who support each other and bring added life to
the hosting neighbourhood house.The buddy
system you implemented has been working well.
One older and frail member called Dorothy with
early stage Alzheimer’s is being supported by
another member Sue who lives near by and is
happy to give Dorothy lifts to and from rehearsal.
It was Sue who joined the choir first and
remembered that Dorothy had sung as a younger
woman in the parish church choir and persuaded
her to revisit her talents and join the group.At
rehearsals, Sue keeps an eye on Dorothy to ensure
that she is coping.
You have developed a program for the Darebin
Music Feast performance that takes account of the
differing abilities and experience of people in the
group and the types of music that interests them.
To this you have added new ideas sourced from
your own knowledge base and that of group
members.Your aim is to value and learn from the
creative input of the members while extending
their experience of musical repertoire and
performance.Your co-founder of the group Anne,
who uses a wheelchair, has discovered that she has
a great voice although untrained.You believe she is
capable of singing some solo lines as part of your
choir arrangements but would need a few singing
lessons to develop her skills and confidence.Anne
cannot afford private lessons but she is able to
attend some affordable singing lessons at a local
community centre that the two of you located
through the Courses and Activities brochure put out
by the Darebin Neighbourhood Houses and
Community Centres Network.
(For further information see Attachment 3 Skills
Development Options on pages 19.)
Your supported accommodation members are
going well and are excited by the impending
performance.The regular support workers have
done a great job keeping people involved between
rehearsal attendance.They have also enjoyed the
chance to sing in the group themselves. However,
regular workers have not always been able to
attend the reduced number of rehearsals which
are so critical to their residents’ experience of the
group and the festival performance. Some casual
support workers rostered on to replace them
have not been in tune with the whole process and
have remained uninvolved in the rehearsal, which
changes the dynamic and unsettles the members
from the supported accommodation house.
Keeping the lines of communication open,
repeating and emphasising the importance of the
process to busy supported accommodation staff
has been labour intensive but worthwhile. Staff
and volunteers at the neighbourhood house have
helped out with reminder phone calls prior to
rehearsals.

12
You have been scheduled to perform on a Sunday
afternoon for the Smorgasbord Program of the
Darebin Music Feast.The Smorgasbord Program
showcases a cross-section of community music
making and makes a great debut for new
performers. It is held in the Preston Shire Hall
which is centrally located and a good sized
audience is expected as the Music Feast has been
widely advertised.This will be a big moment for
your group and a chance to show what you have
achieved.The presence on stage of people with
disabilities contributing to the creative process will
send a positive message to the audience.
One item in particular will be crucial to the
impression you create as a new and innovative
group.This item has as its focal point different
complexities in the parts that you have developed
which have been designed around the differing
abilities and experiences of your group. It is a
powerful anthem of celebration and is joyous to
sing.You want this anthem to be the signature for
your performance, the thing people take away with
them afterwards.You have taken the strong tuneful
theme of the anthem and developed around it
different variations in harmonies and dynamics.You
have created an accompanied solo line for your
star singer Anne who is supported by a small
group of the more confident singers for one verse.
Your supported accommodation residents are
doing a wonderful job as part of the larger choir
but they are eager to feature in a verse
themselves.To really pull this off you may need
creative support from a professional musician /
composer and you may need to seek funding to
pay for it. Discuss your plans with festival
organisers and the Culture and Leisure
Department at City of Darebin as they may have
access to funding or in kind support. In our
scenario two workshops are scheduled with a
professional musician who has worked previously
with people with intellectual disabilities.
The worker also attends the final rehearsal of the
full choir to ensure the newly arranged verse is
easily performed in the context of the whole
work.
Performance space accessibility
Well before any group performance you will need
to discuss your group’s needs with organisers.
Check out the accessibility of the performance
space and make suggestions if necessary. Look for
the same features as you did when viewing
rehearsal space. But this time you also need to
check out on stage and back stage accessibility
(such as dressing rooms). If your group is to
perform outdoors, make sure there is a suitable
wet weather plan. For outdoor events it is also
important to check that grassed areas are
negotiable by wheelchairs – sometimes this will
require the organisers to provide surface cover.
At the Darebin Music Feast arrangements have
been made for a temporary ramp to give access
to the stage area of the Preston Shire Hall.
Accessibility for some of your performers will
hinge on the availability of their support staff and
transport options for an out of hours event. Plenty
of notice and reminders need to be given to
members, their families and support staff.
If special circumstances arise that may prevent a
member from performing (ie transport or
support staff issues) try and resolve these within
the group but if this is impossible contact City of
Darebin Aged and Disability Services staff on
9230 4428 for assistance.
The day of the performance
Your big day has arrived. Most of the group are
mildly anxious but excited about performing. At
the dress rehearsal you have gone through
everything regarding what to wear, where to

Community Participation – Performing Groups
13
gather and warm up prior to the performance,
getting on and off stage safely and positioning on
stage.You have been assisted in this by festival
organisers and have discussed and sorted out any
issues with them, eg sufficient time for people with
mobility issues to get on stage comfortably. In
particular make sure that members who are frail
or have disabilities are adequately supported on
stage (by family, buddy or carer) and that members
using wheelchairs have a clear sight line to the
conductor. It is also important that all performers
are visible from the audience. If your performers
are familiar with the physical access to the
performance space and clear about what they have
to do they will be much more relaxed about the
performance.
Your debut is warmly received by the audience
and your performers are elated by the experience.
As they leave the stage they are congratulated by
some audience members and others ask about
joining the group – will it continue after the
festival? As you hoped, the big hit of your set was
the anthem which featured arrangements crafted
to make the most of the different voices and skills
of the members.The workshop facilitator is
particularly pleased with the artistic outcome of
the performance and has made a recording of it
(with permission of festival organisers).Afterwards
you all meet at a nearby café (accessible of
course) to celebrate and give out feedback forms
and notices about your next meeting as a group.
Feedback
Feedback forms allow people to make comments
they might be reluctant to make at a group
gathering, especially if the forms are anonymous.
Ask some basic questions about the experience of
the rehearsals and performance re times, costs,
accessibility, how the sessions were run and what
people got out of them.Always provide space for
any other comments.
At your follow-up meeting summarise and discuss
the feedback and begin discussing the big question
of where do we go from here? This is also a good
chance to listen to the recording. Although it may
be marred by coughing in the audience the
recording is a reminder of the experience of the
performance and how it went. Part of the
discussion at the feedback meeting is around the
collaborative approach of the workshop facilitator
and the innovative choral arrangements that were
developed for the festival performance.This
achievement has shown the group that inclusive
practice is not only about accessibility and support
mechanisms but also about creating a genuinely
unique experience which reflects the group’s
participants.
Where to from here…
Development costs / Funding options
In this scenario the neighbourhood house has
agreed to waive room hire up until the festival
performance but what happens after that? If the
first stage of your project (up to and including the
festival performance) has been successful, you will
likely want to continue to meet and develop as a
community singing group.You may need to employ
professional musicians from time to time as guest
conductors or to run workshops.There are many
ways you could go after Stage 1 but most will
incur some cost and you need to consider funding
options.
If you need help with applications or advice on
which funding is most suitable to apply for talk
with your Neighbourhood House Co-ordinator or
the Culture and Leisure Department at City of
Darebin on 9230 4305.
(See page 16 for neighbourhood houses and
community centres contact details.)

14
Consider the following;
City of Darebin Community Grants
You can apply for a community grant to assist with
hiring costs of nominated Council-owned facilities
under the category Facility Hire Subsidy Scheme.
Or you may be eligible for a Program Support
Grant which will help you pay for program costs
over the period of one year. Application forms for
Community Grants are available in March each
year and usually close by end of April.You can visit
www.darebin.vic.gov.au/communitygrants.To be
placed on a mailing list to receive application
forms and guidelines for the next funding round
phone 9230 4470.
For more information contact:
City of Darebin Community Grants Co-ordinator
Roberto Malara on 9230 4504.
For information on other sources of funding
available to community groups contact the City
of Darebin Culture and Leisure Department on
9230 4305 and ask for a copy of Community
Groups and Sports Club Grant Opportunities.
(For more information on funding options Refer
to Attachment 4 Funding Opportunities, page 22.)

Community Participation – Performing Groups
15
ATTACHMENT 1
Resources available from City of Darebin
Publications
Contact the Culture and Leisure Department on
9230 4305 to be sent a copy of the following:
Community Spaces and Places (listing of venues
available for community use).Available on website
at www.darebin.org
Courses and Activities at Neighbourhood Houses and
Community Centres in Darebin
Social And Leisure Options For Active Seniors
(directory of clubs and activities for older adults)
Out There in Darebin and Yarra (newsletter about
activities for people with disabilities)
D’ART (newsletter about arts and cultural
activities)
Aritists’ Register (contact details for local
performers, musicians, visual artists, arts groups
and businesses) Available on the internet at
www.darebin.org
Community Groups and Sports Club Grant
Opportunities (updated annually)
Community Inclusion/Leisure Activities: a Guide for
Community Groups
Darebin Access and Equity Policy 1997 available on
website at www.darebin.vic.gov.au
Key Staff and Departments
Culture and Leisure Department:
9230 4305
Access for All Abilities Officer
9230 4305
Festivals and Cultural Events Co-ordinator
8470 8211
Arts and Cultural Development Officer
9230 4458
Disability Access Co-ordinator
9230 4635
Youth Services Branch
9230 4355
Aged and Disability Services
9230 4428
Community Grants Co-ordinator
9230 4504
Darebin Libraries
1300 655 355
Note: Library members can access internet and
send emails for free. Just phone ahead to book
computer time.
Inclusive Communication: Guidelines for Providing
Information in Alternative Formats

16
ATTACHMENT 2
Where to Promote and Contacts
Darebin Community Health Centres
East Preston:
Cnr Blake and Crevelli Streets
East Reservoir 3073
Phone 8470 1111
Fax 9478 9647
Email: ceo@darebinch.com.au
Northcote:
42 Separation Street, Northcote 3070
Phone 9489 1388
Fax 9482 3690
Email: ceo@darebinch.com.au
Women’s Health in the North
680 High Street,Thornbury 3071
Phone: 9484 1666
Email: info@whin.org.au
Check the Yellow Pages under Medical / Locality
Guide / Medical Practitioners for doctors’
surgeries in the local area.
Neighbourhood Houses
Alphington Community Centre
2 Kelvin Road,Alphington 3078
Phone: 9499 7227
Fax: 9499 7227
Email: ashe@vicnet.net.au
Jika Jika Community Centre
Cnr Plant and Union Streets
Northcote 3070
Phone: 9482 5100
Fax: 9482 5194
Email: jikajika@netspace.net.au
Preston Neighbourhood House
218 High Street, Preston 3072
Phone: 9484 5806
Fax: 9484 1604
Email: pnh@bigpond.net.au
Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education
Merrilands Community Centre
Cnr Asquith and Sturdee Streets
Reservoir 3073
P.O. Box 510
Reservoir 3073
Phone: 9462 6077
Fax: 9462 5077
Email: office@prace.vic.edu.au
SPAN Community House
298 Victoria Road,Thornbury 3071
Phone: 9480 1364
Fax: 9416 9639
Email: info@spanhouse.org
Thornbury Women’s Neighbourhood House
131 Shaftesbury Parade,Thornbury 3071
Phone: 9480 0466
Fax: 9480 3403
Email: office@twnh.vic.edu.au
Community Information Centres
Northcote Community and Information Support
Service
185-7 High Street, Northcote 3070
Phone: 9489 4999
Preston Community Information Centre
287 High Street, Preston 3072
Phone: 9495 0122
Disability Organisations and
Supported Accommodation Contacts
ARBIAS
Provides leisure support to people living in
supported residential services
ARBIAS Recreation Co-ordinator
C/- City of Darebin Culture and Leisure
Department
PO Box 91
Preston 3072
Phone 9230 4398 or 0417 724 333

Community Participation – Performing Groups
17
Department of Human Services – Residential
Contact point for Community Residential Units
175 Plenty Road, Preston 3072
Phone: 9485 1100
Interchange Northern
Leisure support for people with disabilities and
their carers
24 Gellibrand Crescent, Reservoir 3073
Phone: 9462 1011
Brotherhood of St Laurence
Supports people with disabilities in various
activities
67 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy 3065
Phone: 9483 1183
Melbourne City Mission
Supports people with disabilities and carers to
identify areas of interest
123 Albion Street, Brunswick 3056
Phone: 9385 6333
Scope / Leisure Action
Leisure support for people with disabilities,
particularly multiple physical
C/-Northern District Day Centre
2 Prospect Street
Pascoe Vale 3044
Phone: 9344 8244
Yooralla Recreation
Program and information support for
Leisure access
212 King Street, Melbourne 3000
Phone: 9617 3501
Community newsletters, websites
Out There in Darebin and Yarra
City of Darebin newsletter about activities for
people with disabilities.To send information for
inclusion in the newsletter, email
leisure@darebin.vic.gov.au
D’Art
City of Darebin newsletter about Arts and
Cultural activities in Darebin.To send information
for inclusion in the newsletter, email
lhall@darebin.vic.gov.au
Access for All Abilities Database
City of Darebin invities community groups to send
information about accessible activities for inclusion
in the AAA Database.
Email: leisure@darebin.vic.gov.au
For more information or to be sent a newsletter
phone City of Darebin Culture and Leisure
Department on 9230 4305.
Interchange Northern News
24 Gellibrand Crescent
Reservoir 3073
Phone: 9462 1011
Email: icnorth@ixa.net.au
SHOUT
Community Music Victoria
156 George Street Fitzroy 3065
Phone: 9419 1354
Email: cmv@netspace.net.au
Website: www.netspace.net.au/~cmv
VICNORD
Invites community groups to post information
about accessible activities on their website.
179 High Street, Northcote 3071
Phone: 9489 2999
www.advocacyhouse.org/vicnord
Community Radio
Radio for the Print Handicapped
Roberta Ashby
Program Co-ordinator
454 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong 3144
Phone: 9864 9548
Fax: 9864 9344

18
Radio 3CR
Lee Heather
PO Box 1277, Collingwood
Phone: 9419 8377
Fax: 9417 4472
Email: admin@3cr.net .au
Community Television
Channel 31–No Limits
A half hour program of interviews, song, dance,
controversy, sport and laughter.This is a first for
Australian television, focusing strongly on hands-on
involvement from people with disabilities.
Contact: Sarah Barton
Email: sbarton@mira.net
City of Darebin Libraries
Preston Library
266 Gower Street, Preston 3072
Phone 1300 655 355
Email: gedge@darebin-libraries.vic.gov.au
Northcote Library
32–38 Separation Street, Northcote 3070
Phone: 1300 655 355
Email: gedge@darebin-libraries.vic.gov.au
Reservoir Library
7 Ralph Street, Reservoir 3073
Phone: 1300 655 355
Email: gedge@darebin-libraries.vic.gov.au
City of Darebin Customer Service Centres
PO Box 91, Preston 3072
Phone: 9230 4444
Email: mailbox@darebin.vic.gov.au
Individual Customer Service Centres
Preston
Darebin Municipal Offices
274 Gower Street , Preston 3072
Northcote
(Next to Northcote Library)
32–38 Separation Street, Northcote 3070
Northlands
Northland Shopping Centre
Murray Road, Preston 3072
Reservoir Civic Centre
23–25 Edwardes Street, Reservoir 3073
Phone: 9496 1000
Local newspapers
The Northcote Leader and Preston Leader have
weekly ‘What’s On’ columns for community
activities.
Phone: 9489 2222
Fax: 9481 2083
Fairfield Library
121 Station Street, Fairfield 3078
Phone: 1300 655 355
Email: gedge@darebin-libraries.vic.gov.au

Community Participation – Performing Groups
19
ATTACHMENT 3
Skills Development Options
ARC (Amateur Repertory Company Inc)
ARC is an amateur youth theatre company run by
young people for young people, providing
opportunities in all aspects of production and
performance.
For more information:
PO Box 1593, Preston South 3072
Email: info@arc-theatre.com
Website: www.arc-theatre.com
ARTS ACCESS
ARTS ACCESS provides access to arts and cultural
activity for people who are disadvantaged,
including people with a disability.
For more information:
24 Eastern Road, South Melbourne 3205
Phone: 9699 8299
Phone (TTY): 9699 7636
Facsimile: 9699 8868
Email: info@artsaccess.com.au
Website: www.artsaccess.com.au
ARTS AND EDUCATION PROGRAM NMIT
Offering a full or part time study mode for
students wishing to extend their interest within
the arts. Providing students with an education
program in the areas of visual arts, theatre arts,
music, and dance.
For more information:
Marta Rokicki
Co-ordinator
Access Department.
Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE
(Collingwood Campus)
Building A, Level 1
20 Otter Street, Collingwood 3066
Phone: 9269 1732
AUSDANCE
Ausdance is a national dance association which
provides information in regards to performing arts
(dance) programs in your area.
For more information:
170 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank 3006
Phone: 9686 0099
Fax: 9686 0220
Email: victoria@ausdance.org.au
Website: www.ausdance.org.au/outside/vic
CLUB WILD
Offers a disability-friendly dance party!! A chance
to let your hair down and enjoy wild and wacky
mix of music, dancing, performing and bad disco!
Regularly held at North Melbourne Town Hall, and
other regional and metro venues.
To find out when and where the next Club Wild
event is happening, contact Club Wild:
PO Box 102, Geelong 3220
Phone: 5222 6522
Email: philheuz@infoxchange.net.au
Website: www.clubwild.net
CAE (CENTRE FOR ADULT EDUCATION)
CAE provides opportunities for you to learn a
new skill, develop your creativity, expand your
knowledge and have fun! Offering a range of
courses in central Melbourne and suburban
venues.
For more information:
21 Degraves Street, Melbourne 3000
Phone: 9652 0638
Phone (TTY): 9652 0748
Fax: 9654 7840
Email: arts@cae.edu.au
Website: www.cae.edu.au

20
DIAMOND VALLEY AMATEUR THEATRE
COMPANY
A theatre group for people aged 18+ with an
intellectual disability. It provides opportunities to
develop acting skills and participate in high quality
theatre.
For more information:
Trish Phillips
Phone: 9435 3572
FUN WITH MUSIC
The Carlton Neighbourhood House offers this
program for people who enjoy singing, movement
to music and playing instruments, integrating
people with disabilities and the wider community.
For more information:
20 Princes Street, Carlton 3052
Phone: 9347 2739
GREEN SINGERS
Victoria’s only community environment choir.
Open choir for those who want to sing
environmental songs.
For more information:
Linda
Phone: 9416 7184
Held at the Jika Jika Neighbourhood House,
Cnr Plant and Union Streets, Northcote 3070.
IGNITION THEATRE TRAINING
Provides an opportunity for people with a
disability to access quality vocational training.The
course is an initiative of Northern Melbourne
Institute of TAFE’s Work Education Unit. The
training is delivered in association with the
Performing Arts-Drama Department at the
Fairfield Campus. Students create one minor and
one major project per year and study
performance, production and theatre theory
subjects. Total course is 600 hours, but there is
flexibility to support diverse learning needs of the
individual students. Applicants must be eligible for
the Future for Young Adults funding Program.
For more information:
Julie Lew
Work Education Unit
Phone: 9269 8390
Email: workeducation@nmit.vic.edu.au
Website: www.nmit.vic.edu.au/workeducation
LIFESKILLS PROGRAM
La Trobe Lifeskills recognises the need to provide
appropriate day programs for those with
disabilities and impairments.
La Trobe Lifeskills is located at the University
campus Bundoora, accessing existing facilities.
Participants in La Trobe Lifeskills have access to a
broad range of activities and facilities within the
La Trobe University precinct.
Participants have programs designed to their
individual requirements or preferences and are
able to choose from a range of program options.
La Trobe Lifeskills also offers excursions and
holiday programs in locations across Victoria.
La Trobe Lifeskills aims to develop vocational skills,
recreational and leisure interests that enhance
independence and foster self-esteem.
For more information:
La Trobe Lifeskills
La Trobe University (Bundoora Campus)
Room 109 Social Sciences Building
Phone: 9479 2111
Fax: 9479 1192
Email: r.leslie@latrobe.edu.au,
Website: www.latrobe.edu.au/lifeskills
LINE DANCING
The Watsonia Uniting Church Hall (Devonshire
Road,Watsonia) hosts Ozscoot, a dance group
designed to have fun and keep fit! Open to people
of all abilities. Monday nights 7–8.30pm.
For more information
Brenda Murray
Phone: 9402 6468
Mobile: 0413 846 315

Community Participation – Performing Groups
21
MILL PARK COMMUNITY HOUSE AND
ADULT TRAINING AND SUPPORT SERVICE
Offers a lot of programs including dance.
For more information:
68 Mill Park Drive, Mill Park 3082
Phone: 9404 4565
MOVING STARS
Moving Stars, based at Thornbury Women’s
Neighbourhood House, is a weekly session of
creative movement, drama, clowning and physical
theatre for men and women with disabilities.
For more information:
131 Shaftesbury Parade,Thornbury 3071
Phone: 9480 0466
NEW THEATRE GROUP
For people who are interested in creating and
making theatre, which is innovative and reflects
our community.
For more information:
Phone: 0419 120 167
Email: theatreproject@smartchat.net.au
NORTHERN VOICE CHOIR
For more information:
Mary Crookes
Jika Jika Neighbourhood House,
Cnr Plant and Union Streets, Northcote 3070
Phone: 9489 5296
Email: mercrooks@bigpond.com
Website: home.vicnet.net.au/~nthvoice
PLATFORM YOUTH THEATRE
Platform is a youth theatre for those aged 16-26
who want to perform, write, direct, teach, design,
devise and dream. It is inclusive of those coping
with socio-economic and/or physical disadvantages
and endeavours to remove barriers that may be
encountered in taking part in Platform Youth
Theatre activities. Platform values the ideas and
creative talents of young people and acknowledges
their diversity. It provides an experience in which
participants feel emotionally and physically
supported to express creative and artistic ideas.
For more information:
Kath Melbourne
Platform Youth Theatre Manager
Phone: 9230 4376
Email: kmelbour@darebin.vic.gov.au
Website: www.darebin.vic.gov.au/platform
RHYTHMIC & DANCE CLASS
For teenagers with intellectual disabilities
For more information:
Macleod Recreation Centre
Banyule YMCA
Wungan Street, Macleod 3085
Phone: 9459 9022
Fax: 9458 1227
Email: Macleod@ymca.org.au
THE VICTORIAN WRITERS CENTRE
The Writers Centre can help if you have an
interest in writing. It provides detailed information
in regard to short courses and local writers
groups.
For more information:
Victorian Writers’ Centre
First Floor, Nicholas Building
37 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000
Phone: 9654 9068
Fax: 9654 4751
Email: info@writers-centre.org
Website: www.writers-centre.org
WEAVE MOVEMENT THEATRE
Weave Movement Theatre is a dance-based
performance company, now in existence for 6
years. It comprises performers with and without
physical disabilities working together with an
inclusive philosophy.Weave has been active in
performing, in training performers and in teaching
people with disabilities and workers in the
disability, recreation and arts fields.
For more information:
Janice Florence
Phone: 9416 9673
Email: jflorence@vtown.com.au

22
ATTACHMENT 4
Funding Opportunities
City of Darebin Community Grants
You can apply for a community grant to assist with
hiring costs of nominated Council-owned facilities
under the category Facility Hire Subsidy Scheme.
Or you may be eligible for a Program Support
Grant which will help you pay for program costs
over the period of one year. Application forms for
Community Grants are available in March each
year and usually close by end of April.You can visit
www.darebin.vic.gov.au/communitygrants.To be
placed on a mailing list to receive application
forms and guidelines for the next funding round,
phone 9230 4470.
For more information contact City of Darebin
Community Grants Co-ordinator Roberto Malara
on 9230 4504.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
(DAREBIN CITY COUNCIL)
274 Gower Street
Preston 3072
PO Box 91
Preston 3072
Contact: Lesley Hall
Phone: 9230 4458
Email: lhall@darebin.vic.gov.au
R.E. ROSS TRUST
7th Floor
24 Albert Road
South Melbourne 3205
Phone: 9690 6255
Email: information@rosstrust.org.au
Website: www.rosstrust.org.au
OUR COMMUNITY
51 Stanley Street
West Melbourne 3003
PO Box 354, North Melbourne 3051
Phone: 9320 6800
Email: service@ourcommunity.com.au
Website:
www.ourcommunity.com.au/funding/grant_main.jsp
LIONS CLUB OF NORTHCOTE
Eric Gittins
Secretary
PO Box 178, Northcote 3070
Phone: 9489 7652
Website: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~lcnorth/
ROTARY CLUB OF PRESTON
Patrick Navascues
Secretary
PO Box 299 , Preston 3072
Email: preston9790@rotarymail.net
Website:
www.rotary9790.org/clubs/ltor/preston/
welcome.htm
AUSTRALIA COUNCIL OF THE ARTS
372 Elizabeth Street,
Surry Hills NSW 2010
PO Box 788, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
Phone: 02 9215 9000
Toll-free: 1800 226 912
Fax: 02 9215 9111
Email: mail@ozco.gov.au
Website: www.ozco.gov.au/grantFinder.aspx

Community Participation – Performing Groups
23
ARTS VICTORIA
Level 62
Kavanagh Street, Southbank 3006
(Private Bag No 1 South Melbourne Victoria 3205)
Toll-free 1800 134 894
Fax: 9686 6186
TTY 9682 4864
Email: artsvic@dpc.vic.gov.au
Website:
www.arts.vic.gov.au/arts/funding/funding.htm
PHILANTHROPY AUSTRALIA
Level 10, 530 Collins Street,
Melbourne 3000
Phone: 9620 0200
Fax: 9620 0199
Email: pa@philanthropy.org.au
Website:
www.philanthropy.org.au/workshops/index.html
ARTS INFO
The ArtsInfo website provides a directory of
resources for artists and cultural workers at
www.artsinfo.net.au.

24
ATTACHMENT 5
Performance Opportunities
Check with your council for up and coming
Festivals and Events which may provide
performance opportunities for community groups.
Arts Access
Phone: 9699 8299
Darebin City Council
Phone: 9230 4305
Hume City Council
Phone: 9205 2200
Moreland City Council
Phone: 9204 1111
Nillumbik Shire Council
Phone: 9433 3111
Whittlesea City Council
Phone: 9217 2170
THE ART OF DIFFERENCE FESTIVAL
If you are an aspiring or practising artist with a
disability, live with a mental illness or if you
represent an organisation interested in making a
difference, then this is for you.
The Art of Difference Festival currently takes
place biannually. Next event will be in 2005 at
Gasworks Arts Park, in Albert Park.The festival
includes performances, workshops, seminars and
more.
For more information: Gasworks Arts Park
21 Graham Street,Albert Park 3206
Melway Ref 2J G7 – Tram No. 1 – Stop 31)
Phone: 8606 4200
Fax: 9699 9890
Email: jack@gasworks.org.au
Website: www.gasworks.org.au
THE AWAKENINGS PERFORMING ARTS
FESTIVAL
This is one of many festivals all over Victoria,
celebrating the arts and disability.
Held annually in Horsham, regional Victoria, the
aim of the festival is to provide an inclusive
community event that is committed to improving
access to the arts for all abilities.
For more information:
Denise
Phone: 5362 4006
Website: awakenings.horsham.net.au
CLUB WILD
Offers a disability-friendly dance party!! A chance
to let your hair down and enjoy and wild and
wacky mix of music, dancing, performing and bad
disco! Regularly held at North Melbourne Town
Hall, and other regional and metro venues.
To find out when and where the next Club Wild
event is happening, contact Club Wild:
PO Box 102, Geelong 3220
Phone: 5222 6522
Email: philheuz@infoxchange.net.au
Website: www.clubwild.net
MELBOURNE FRINGE FESTIVAL
Melbourne Fringe was founded in 1982 and is an
umbrella organisation supporting and advising a
large number of independently run arts companies
and activities.
For more information:
PO Box 2953, Fitzroy 3065
Phone: 8412 8788
Fax: 8412 8787
Email: info@melbournefringe.com.au
Website: www.melbournefringe.com
NEXT WAVE FESTIVAL
Next wave is a festival of young emerging artists.
For more information:
C/- Horti Hall
31 Victoria Street, Melbourne 3000
Phone: 9662 1099
Fax: 9662 4922
Email: nextwave@nextwave.org.au
Website: www.nextwave.org.au

Community Participation – Performing Groups
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ATTACHMENT 6
Disability Discrimination Act
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 is a federal
law to protect the rights of people with
disabilities.The Disability Discrimination Act makes
it illegal to treat people with disabilities
inequitably. The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995,
which reinforces the rights of all members of the
community, supports the Disability Discrimination
Act.
The Disability Discrimination Act is relevant in all
settings of community living, including
employment, education, accessing services,
community groups and public places.
For a community group this makes it illegal to
deny an individual access to its activities on the
grounds of his/her disability.The Act also prohibits
harassment relating to the disability.
In some instances there is a defence to the
discrimination where unreasonable hardship,
commonly measured in a financial context, would
be incurred by making modifications for the
person with the disability. For example, installation
of particularly expensive accessible toilets for one
individual. However, it must be shown that the
case for access has been thoroughly investigated,
that relevant sources have been consulted and that
the person making the request for access is
involved in the process.
In addition, City of Darebin adopted the Darebin
Access & Equity Policy in 1997, recognising the
place and value of all people in the City of
Darebin.
Discrimination occurs when an individual who has
a disability is treated unfairly in the same
circumstances as an individual without a disability.
Or when a situation is allowed to occur that
disadvantages an individual with a disability, for
example denial of access to an opportunity, or no
concession pricing policy.

26
BIBLIOGRAPHY
How to Include Performers with Disabilities in
Mainstream Performing Arts Events. Written by
Leesa Nash for City of Darebin 2003.
Community Inclusion/Leisure Activities: A Guide for
Community Groups. Written by Geoff Rietschel for
City of Darebin AAA Program, 2004.
How People with Disabilities Can Learn, Develop and
Have Fun in Your Neighbourhood House. Written by
Linda Parlane and Margi Gibb for Jika Jika
Community Centre.

Community Participation – Performing Groups
27

28
NOTES

Community Participation – Performing Groups

PO Box 91 Preston Victoria 3072
274 Gower Street, Preston Victoria
Telephone: 9230 4444
Facsimile: 9471 0204
After Hours: 9230 4659
TTY (Hearing Impaired): 9230 4696
Multilingual Telephone Line: 9230 4353
www.darebin.vic.gov.au
mailbox@darebin.vic.gov.au
ABN 75 815 980 522
Printed on 100% Recycled Paper