New manifesto from Disability Arts Cymru and partners, demands for cultural and international rights for disabled people on International Day of Disability 2021
Date: 3rd December 2021 4pm – 6pm GMT
International Disability Day
Location: Zoom
Press contacts: ruth@dacymru.com / owain@dacymru.com
On 3 December 2021, to coincide with International Day of Disability, the national organisation for disability arts across Wales - Disability Arts Cymru – will present a new manifesto that responds to articles 30 and 32 of the United Nations Convention for the Rights of Disabled People. The Manifesto, titled ‘Bring Us Our Creative Rights: Disabled People’s Cultural and International Manifesto,’ will demonstrate to our elected representatives and public bodies how they can deliver on disabled peoples creative rights. It is supported and partnered by Arts Council of Wales / Wales Arts International and Disability Wales.
Internationally-renowned disabled artist Kaite O’Reilly said “Creativity and self-expression is a fundamental human right. Reflecting the true diversity of Wales, celebrating that at home and bringing it out into the world through international collaboration is crucial to the future of our society and culture and the well-being of everyone.”
In November, Disability Arts Cymru and partners produced a survey and engaged five focus groups, looking specifically at the two articles of the UN convention focused on culture and international connections.
From the survey and focus groups, eleven commendations have been identified and weaved into this manifesto. These commendations will be presented to the Welsh Government on the 3rd of December, providing potential for real-world impact on the lives of disabled people.
The United Nations Convention for the Rights of Disabled People [UNCRDP] contains ‘articles’ that explain how disabled people of all ages should be supported and valued as citizens within their countries, this ranges from employment, education to health support.
At the event, keynote speeches will be delivered by:
Jane Hutt – Member of the Senedd and Minister for Social Justice
Rhian Davies – CEO of Disability Wales
Kate O’Reilly – internationally-renowned and award-winning playwright
Also speaking will be Phil George, Chair of the Arts Council of Wales:
“We all have a right to access arts and culture, as audience members and as participants making work. At the Arts Council of Wales, we completely support the perspective of the social model of disability, and we strongly affirm that it is our responsibility and the responsibility of the organisations we fund to address the many barriers preventing disabled people achieving creative fulfilment in the arts. Supporting this manifesto expresses our commitment to working with disabled people to achieve full inclusion in the making and enjoyment of the arts. The whole society will be culturally richer if disabled people have the creative rights which have been so often and so shockingly denied to them”
Eluned Haf, Head of Wales Arts International, said:
“This manifesto is an important milestone and could transform how disabled people experience and are enabled to engage with the arts in Wales and beyond. Disabled people experience multiple barriers in terms of accessing the arts, as artists and citizens. They are also disproportionately affected by the Covid pandemic and climate emergency. There is a lot of work to do, but responding to the calls of this manifesto will lead to change. A powerful installation by artist Catherine Taylor Parry of a wheelchair with golden wings represents the vision of barrier-free access to the arts that this manifesto inspires. As we re-think how the arts work in Wales and internationally, we have an opportunity to put creative rights and social justice for disabled people at the centre of how we invest in the arts in Wales.”
Dr Natasha Hirst, Chair DAC, also said:
"As we developed our manifesto, it was clear that disabled people are still too easily disregarded when we call for access to arts and culture. We are certainly not treated as equals despite decades of legislation and policies that claim to prevent our exclusion. Arts and culture are central to all social and political change and we must be equal and visible participants in this. That can only happen when we have full access to all of our rights. Disabled people are done with platitudes. Now is the time for action."
The event begins at 16:00 GMT and will feature two performances. One, from musician and environmental sound artist Cheryl Beer, and another from artist, writer, actor, and director Chris Tally Evans. These specially commissioned pieces will capture the spirit and importance of the manifesto and offer a creative provocation as we delve into the significance the manifesto brings for the rights of disabled artists in Wales.
For more information please contact
Disability Arts Cymru Owain@dacymru.com | +44 ( 0) 7904 604187
Notes to Editors
The event is hosted on Zoom and audiences can sign up through this link.
The United Nationals Convention on the Rights of Disabled People is designed to serve as a policy making tool with an “explicit, social development dimension”. This work is being built by incorporate specifically Articles 30 and 32 of the UNCRDP.
Article 30 states “Parties shall take appropriate measures to enable disabled people to have the opportunity to develop and utilize their creative, artistic and intellectual potential, not only for their own benefit, but also for the enrichment of society
Article 32 states “Parties recognise the importance of international cooperation and its promotion, in support of national efforts for the realization of the purpose and objectives of the present Convention.
Disability Arts Cymru was established in 1982. They believe in increasing access and opportunity, celebrating diversity, nurturing new talent and reputable disabled/Deaf artists and creative practitioners, inspiring change throughout Cymru. In stimulating, supporting and delivering excellent disability and Deaf arts from a wide variety of cultural perspectives, we promote and progress understanding of the social model of disability.
More information on Disability Arts Cymru can be found on their website.
Interviews upon direct request are available from the supporters listed below:
Kaite O’Reilly – Internationally-renowned Playwright
+44 (0) 7775944345
kaitekor@aol.com
http://kaiteoreilly.co.uk/
Eluned Haf, Head of Wales Arts International (Welsh speaker) Eluned is available for press interviews 12-2pm Friday
eluned.haf@wai.org.uk or Catrin Morris catrin.morris@wai.org.uk