About us
Overview
NWDAF works with many arts organisations and agencies concerned with the promotion of equal access to Disabled people from arts learning to audience development and programming. Most importantly at its heart is the 'grass roots' work by engaging directly with artists and communities to ensure every aspect of delivery reflects disability and deaf culture.
We could not be the success we are without the ongoing support and commitment from our core funders Arts Council England: North West and Liverpool Culture Company. As well as our project funders, Granada Foundation, ACE:NW, The Phoenix Fund, First Light, Alliance & Leicester and the Children's Fund.
Vision
NWDAF adopts and works to the Social Model of Disability, which states that society's denial of access and rights discriminates against Disabled people thereby causing 'disabling barriers'. Society perpetuates these inequalities by defining 'disability' in terms that focus upon an individuals impairment or impairments. This focus denies the collective and historical experience of Disabled people and hence its community status.
Therefore NWDAF's vision is to:
Facilitate the active participation of all Disabled people in every aspect of the arts and cultural sectors
Actively promote and celebrate Deaf Arts, Disability Arts and other emerging cultural expressions within disability contexts
Inform and guide arts & cultural organisations to include Disabled people in all aspects of their service delivery, employment and programming of Disabled artists and companies.
Please note:
Please note we use the term 'Disabled people' to include ALL impairment groups, children and adults: this includes Deaf People, People with Learning Difficulties, Mental Health Survivors, People with AIDS/HIV, or any group or person that is self-disclosing as Disabled using the Social Model of Disability.
