New program launched in Victoria to improve accessibility among Deaf and Disabled creatives

A new program - Making Space – has been launched by the Victorian Government to improve accessibility among Deaf and Disabled creatives, ensuring more Victorians are included in creative spaces and experiences.

Making Space is a Victorian-first grants program supporting infrastructure projects that places accessibility at the forefront. The program offers fundings of $50,000 to $100,000 for Victorian projects that enhance physical, sensory or digital access.

Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos shares “Ensuring all Victorians have equitable opportunities to build creative careers or participate in creative experiences is at the heart of our Creative State strategy.

“Making Space is going to strengthen our creative sector and have a lasting impact on Victoria’s talented Deaf and Disabled creative community – workers and audiences alike.”

Grants can be used across physical refurbishments such as improvements to pathways and parking around venues and buildings or amending the heights of fixtures and fittings so that all people can reach door handles, elevator buttons, light switches and more.

Sensory access upgrades could see the creation of quiet spaces, tactile signage, dimmable and flexible lighting and hearing augmentation systems to improve the experience of Deaf and Disabled people in the space.

Funding could also be used on digital projects like the development of accessible websites, new equipment or software to facilitate livestreaming, automated captioning and chat systems.

Making Space is open to Victorian-based creative organisations and collectives that are led by Deaf and Disabled people. Organisations or collectives with a commitment to disability leadership in their staff, board, subcommittees or advisory groups may also apply.

The program has been developed by Deaf and Disabled creatives alongside access experts and delivered by the state’s peak body for arts and disability, Arts Access Victoria.

Arts Access Chief Executive Caroline Bowditch enthused “Arts Access Victoria is thrilled to deliver Making Space infrastructure funding grants, supporting Creative Victoria’s goal of increasing access to creative spaces and activity.”

Applications are now open and close on 17th October 2023.

To apply visit artsaccess.com.au/making-space/