People with disabilities make up a high percentage of the population of the island and thus constitute a substantial interest group that organisations need to take into account.
You can involve disabled people in the planning process through open consultation meetings, focus groups, working groups and sub-committees involving local disabled people or disability organisations, and by encouraging people with disabilities to join boards of management or to become directors of arts organisations. It is important, however, to make sure that responsibility for disability issues does not rest exclusively with disabled people as this will work against the development of real commitment and ownership in the organisation. Similarly, by concentrating solely on disability, organisations may be missing out on the many other interests and contributions of disabled people.
Developing an equal opportunities policy and code of practice will assist organisations in achieving their goals. This should include setting specific time-related targets and performance indicators, and covers issues concerning people with disabilities as audience members, participants and employees.
When holding consultation meetings, ensure that the venue is fully accessible and that everybody is facilitated to participate
arts and disability directory and
