A group of 13 d/Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers have been selected to form the Implementation Advisory Group in support of Equity: the Arts and Disability Associated Plan (Equity).

The group will ensure people with disability are a core part of implementing, monitoring and evaluating the key activities bringing Equity to life.

It will provide advice to the Australian Government on issues affecting d/Deaf and disabled artists, arts workers, screen practitioners, and people with disability taking part in arts and culture.

The members of the Implementation Advisory Group for 2025–26 are:

Regular members

• Ade Djajamihardja
• Adrian Robertson
• Stephanie Dower
• Catherine Dunn
• Gemma (Gia) Hilditch
• Debra Keenahan
• Geoffrey Lim
• Meg Riley
• Elise Romaszko
• Cara-Ann Simpson
• Hannah Lee Tungate.

Observer members 

• Georgia Scott
• Daniel Aylett.

The members represent a mix of emerging and established leaders, experienced advocates and agents for change - reflecting the diversity of the Australian Arts and Disability sector. The Implementation Advisory Group will also include representatives from the Australian Government, Creative Australia, Screen Australia and Arts and Disability Network Australia (ADNA) as key funding partners and advocates.

Read more about the Advisory Group, managed by the Office for the Arts, and Equity here.

View Accessible versions of Equity: the arts and Disability Associated Plan.

Watch the webinar discussion on the Plan with representatives from Creative Australia, Office for the Arts and Screen Australia below.

Creative Australia has partnered with the Australian Government’s Office for the Arts to develop the ADAP and will deliver key actions and initiatives.  

Creative Australia’s contribution to the ADAP benefits from and builds on Creative Australia’s expanded functions and responsibilities and the new bodies that have been created, particularly the First Nations Board and Creative Workplaces.  

Creative Australia’s partnership on the ADAP includes the delivery of key actions and initiatives that expand investment in creative practice, capacity building, services and resources for accessibility and disability:   

• expanding opportunities available to d/Deaf and disabled artists through Creative Australia’s investment, including more artists supported through our Arts and Disability Initiative
• recognition and professional development through the Arts and Disability Fellowship and the National Arts and Disability Awards
• providing dedicated opportunities for d/Deaf and disabled leadership development through our Leadership program
• investing in the needs of First Nations artists with disability through the Creative Australia First Nations Board
• investing in a Delivery Partner to provide arts and disability services to support the work of d/Deaf and disabled artists, arts workers and arts/cultural organisations
• commissioning a partner to deliver a National Arts and Disability forum and gathering to provide a voice for artists with disability
• commissioning the development of a code of practice or guideline and developing good practice resources and information on accessibility and disability for artists and organisations through Creative Workplaces
• understanding and communicating the value and impact of arts and disability through our research and evaluation. 

Creative Australia is working with delivery partners to deliver key actions of the Arts and Disability Associated Plan. Read more about these here.