Social Inclusion of Disability in the Arts
An estimated 1.3 billion people experience significant disability. This represents 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 of us. (WHO, 2023) One important reason for isolation is exclusion through inaccessibility, which happens on many levels; architecture, information, care, welfare, inaccessible education, culture, sociality, democracy. The standardisation of bodies, communication, and mental ability is at the core of this exclusion and leads to segregation and isolation. (Fezer, J. & Studio Experimentelles Design, 2021) Whilst challenging standardisation and celebrating difference, this research will explore, document and share diverse creative perspectives with the aim to support a narrative that promotes collective appreciation, care and value of diverse abilities and creativity within the craft of textiles and wider creative arts.
In seeking to reduce social exclusion and isolation we need to ensure the different needs of all people are met. Reflecting on the difference between 'equity' and 'equality', In the Toolkit for Cooperative, Collective and Collaborative Cultural Care, the conflict between the terms Equity vs. Equality describes Equity as the notion of people being equipped with what they need to be successful, while acknowledging that folks are positioned differently in social spaces and have different needs. This notion understands that people are not starting from a level playing field. Equality might aim to promote the notion of fairness, but in reality only furthers existing inequitable social relations. (Press Press & The Institute For Expanded Research, 2020)
The creative arts are recognised as having a beneficial effect on people with disabilities or illness. In ‘The Value of Creative Arts for People with Mental Illness or Learning Disabilities’ the purposes and/or benefits of using art therapy or creative arts in this field are many and include aiding self-expression, allowing people to express and explore their feelings in either a verbal or non-verbal way, or as an aid to communication. In addition, creative arts are recognised as having a beneficial effect in promoting an individual’s mental, physical, and social well being (Taylor and Healy 2001 as cited in Minogue, 2005)) and in reducing social exclusion (Crofts and Crayton 2001, as cited in Minogue, 2005).
Weaving Conversation
“It’s fun and I enjoy doing it. I like choosing the colours. And I like it when other people come with me and I can show them how I do it, it’s very fun.”
Jennifer
Intertwine Arts weaving program artist at The Institute of Human Applied Dynamics, New York.
Existing challenges faced in accessing arts programs such as weaving can be defined in terms of physical and systematic barriers such as in-accessible spaces, prohibiting policy and lack of assisted resources and socially in terms of misconception and negative attitudes of disability that creates invisible barriers to participation and inclusion in society. Through the application of inclusive practices, arts programs can challenge preconceived ideas about who is an artist, raise the profile of disability and address barriers to inclusion which place people with disability, mental health issues and who are Deaf outside current cultural trends and dialogues ((Arts Access Victoria, 2017) .
Weaving Conversation, 2023
Intertwine Arts program artists at HeartShare Human Services of New York working collaboratively to co-create a communal weaving installation using waste materials sourced from Fabscrap and Material for The Arts.
