Reports | Submissions | Consultations
DADA regularly makes submissions to Government. Some of these are shown below. If you are interested to contribute, please email dadacampaign@gmail.com.
Department of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Media, Sport and Gaeltacht & Night Time Economy drive to Make Social & Cultural Life Accessible for People with Disabilities, May 23, 2024
Wat back in September 2022 a number of DADA artists, including me, met with the Minister for Arts, Catherine Martin and her department. We raised the many, many barriers facing disabled people who want to participate and contribute in Arts and Cultural life, in all its forms.
At the end of that meeting, the Minister assured us: " You have been heard."
Then in January 2023 Saoirse Smith and I presented, yet again the many barriers facing disabled people at the Night Time Economy Forum. In June 2023. DADA, many disabled artists gathered for the first ever Disabled Artists Stakeholders Meeting. There we emphasised, "Nothing About Us Without Us."
Well the Minister is listening. This week the Minister, her Department of Arts, Culture, Media and Sport and Night Time Economy launched a country-wide Accessibility Survey
This is quite a watershed moment for one department to so seriously take on the reality of access barriers. But, I've always believed the Arts can lead on inclusion. We have the vision! And the Night Time Economy are determined allies.
So please, please spread the word - and do this survey which is open to disabled people country-wide, artists, audience, participants, dart players, movie buffs, Taylor Swift fans, Guinness drinkers, yogi... this survey WANTS YOU! What prevents you from socialising like your non-disabled peers???
Here is a link to the Survey Press Release on gov.ie: Department drive to make Ireland’s nightlife inclusive for people with disabilities
Here's a video explaining the Survey with ISL
Here's The Survey
Here's an Easy Read Survey
Here's a video of DJ and activist Louise Bruton on RTE talking about the Survey
And if you have any access problems or the format you require is not there, let the Dept of Arts know. Email: nte@tcagsm.gov.ie They want to help and they want to learn.
The greater the response, the greater the progress! 2023 Submissions
The Development of Local and Community Arts (Arts and Disability, Health and Older People): January and May 2023
We made a submission in January on this subject, please find it attached. This submission is published online somewhere by the Oireachtas but I can't find it! Shout if you do!
Red Keane of Jazz Ireland and I were subsequently invited to present before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media. on May 24.
Self Employment and Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities: July 2024
DADA made a submission on Self Employment and Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters in July, please find it attached. I believe it is published online by the Oireachtas but I've spent a while looking and I can't find it right now. If anyone spots it, please let me know!
Eddie Hennnessy of Eddie Hennessy Photography made a powerful presentation on this subject from his living experience along with Prof. Tom Cooney and others. Prof Cooney has been a great ally and relentless advocate for change around self-employment which particularly affects us artists.
Here is a clip from DADA founder, Emilie Conway, presenting with MEAI on barriers facing disabled artists. Click here or on the image below to watch the video.
https://mobile.twitter.com/NiamhSmythTD/status/1572231534735921156
Dada give (First Ever) “Performance Briefing” at Leinster House, June 28
Thanks very much to TD Gary Gannon of the Social Democrats who facilitated DADA artists to give a briefing in the AV room, Leinster House on June 28. We quickly turned this into the first ever performance briefing in which, through our art, we informed members of the government, opposition and staff of the SOLUTIONS to systemic obstacles we face in building a career in the arts, as self-employed with a disability. Saoirse Smith, in the video above represented disabled comedians, Carol Ahern represented emerging disabled artists, I represented musicians and performers and we also had a writer. There was great attendance and we would hope it appetite for progress.…. so we hope this leads to change.
DADA ARTISTS EMILIE CONWAY & ISOLDE O’BROLCHAIN CARMODY PRESENT EVIDENCE TO OIREACHTAS JOINT COMMITTEE ON DISABILITY MATTERS
Click to watch: DADA Presents at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters October 7, 2021
Emilie Conway and Isolde O’Brolchain Carmody presented on the Topic: Participation in political, cultural, community and public life. We are very grateful for the opportunity to present the issues to the House and we also acknowledge and appreciate the depth of engagement by the Chair, Senators and TDs.
Irish Times report:Disabled artists ‘punished for success’, Oireachtas committee told
We were delighted that our presentation to the Joint Committee was picked up on by the Irish Times with an article that amplified the issues we raised.