Working with D/Deaf and Disabled Artists

Working well with d/Deaf and disabled artists means building relationships based on respect, flexibility, access and artistic leadership. It involves recognising artists as experts in their own practice and access needs, not as problems to be solved.

Good practice includes accessible communication, fair pay, realistic timelines, access budgets, clear expectations and a willingness to adapt as needs change. This page includes tools to support organisations, producers, presenters and collaborators working with d/Deaf and disabled artists.

Recommended Resources

Approaches to Inclusive Practice Arts Access Victoria Commissioning Disabled Artists Shape Arts (UK)

ADNA acknowledges the lived and living experience of people with disability and their family members, carers and supporters.

We recognise the huge contribution people with lived and living experience make to ADNA's work, disability advocacy, and arts and culture in general.

ADNA uses ‘person-first language,’ emphasising the person, not the disability. As a disability-led organisation, we also embrace ‘identity-first’ language, acknowledging disability as identity.

ADNA acknowledges the many Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We honour their Elders past and present. We cherish the richness of First Nations peoples' artistic and cultural expressions.