Principles, Ethics and Rights

Access Rights for d/Deaf and Disabled People

Detailed Discussion

Commitment Statement

NAVA advocates for good practice policies and procedures ensuring inclusion and participation for d/Deaf and Disabled people across all aspects and operations of Australia’s contemporary arts – as creatives, arts workers, administrators, and audiences. Striving for equity and access involves a commitment to ongoing conversations with and learning from d/Deaf and Disabled people, and responsive and flexible practices. We encourage all those working in the arts to join us in this commitment.

Models of Disability

The Code follows the social model of disability, which describes disability as a social construct, and the result of interaction between people living with disability and an environment filled with physical, attitudinal, communication and social barriers. These barriers must change or be removed for people with disability to participate on an equal basis with others. NAVA also recognises the human rights model of disability, which acknowledges a person’s disability as a part of human diversity that must be respected and supported. 

How to Use This Section

This section of the Code presents information on access principles, ethics, and rights, as well as accessibility good practice. Accessibility information that is specific to an individual topic area is covered there. This section will not provide the in-depth resources and information that are provided by organisations working specifically in the disability space. See the Recommended Resources below for links to further resources.

A Note on Terminology

NAVA interchangeably uses person first (person with disability) and identity first (Disabled person) language, and acknowledges the complexities of these words and that each individual will have a preference. The term disability can also include people who are Deaf or hard of hearing (HoH). People from the Deaf community may not identify as having disability and may identify as part of a cultural and linguistic group with their first language being Auslan. Deaf (with a capital D) is used to describe people who identify as culturally Deaf. We note that terminology for d/Deaf and Disabled people often changes, and the current use is guided by d/Deaf and Disabled advisors, and may change, pending later advice from d/Deaf and Disabled advisors

For more information, see Accessible Arts

Current Conditions

Legal Requirements

Recommended Processes

Responsibilities of Organisations

Responsibilities of Artists

Payment Rates

Evaluation and Monitoring