Community attitudes
A lack of understanding and acceptance of autism in the community can make it hard for people to participate in everyday activities such as school, training, work, family, health and community services, public events and sport and recreation. In 2015 an estimated one in 12 autistic Australians had experienced discrimination in social or community situations in the previous 12 months.1
"We need to be building more inclusive communities … from the ground up."
– Rural workshop participant
The government has a role to play in educating and informing the community about autism. This will support access and inclusion in the community for autistic people and their families.
Consultation survey responses highlighted the importance of changing negative attitudes and low expectations that are barriers to inclusion and can prevent autistic people achieving their full potential.
1.1. Increase positive community attitudes towards autistic people
- Partner with Amaze to implement a public education campaign
- The campaign will inform the Victorian community about the experiences and needs of autistic people, including those of autistic girls and women, Aboriginal people with autism and people from culturally diverse communities with autism.
- The aim of the campaign is to encourage more helpful and informed attitudes, with the longer term goal of encouraging more inclusive behaviours.
- Funding provided in 2017–18 has already supported the development of the public education campaign, led by Amaze.
- The campaign also builds on work led by Amaze to establish baseline information about community attitudes towards autistic people. This research is compatible with broader research led by the Victorian Government to establish baseline data about community attitudes towards people with disability.
Arts and cultural life
The inquiry highlighted the need to design spaces and create activities that support autistic people and their families to take part in arts and cultural institutions and events.
Through the Creative State strategy, the government is addressing barriers to Victorians with disability taking part in arts and culture as audiences, practitioners, board members, workers and leaders.
1.2. Increase connection to culture and community for autistic Victorians
- Create resources, programs and activities that support autistic people and their families to take part in cultural institutions and events.
– An aim of this action is to increase access to options such as Relaxed Performances, highlighted in the case study below. - Partner with Arts Access Victoria and the autism community to increase diversity and inclusion in government-funded creative industry organisations through Creative State's Diversity and Inclusion Program.
– Creative State's Diversity and Inclusion Program will be the main mechanism for progressing these two actions.
Case study: Arts Centre Melbourne's inclusive performances
"We thought the play was absolutely spectacular and will indeed be back to Arts Centre Melbourne..."
– Parent on attending a Relaxed Performance
Arts Centre Melbourne offers a program of inclusive performances that are accessible for everyone. Relaxed Performances are one of the ways the performing arts are presented for audiences who would benefit from a calmer environment, including autistic people and people with other sensory, communication or learning disabilities.
The environment is carefully adapted and embraces different audience reactions. Sound and lighting are adjusted to soften their impact, and making noise and moving around is welcome.
A designated "quiet area" is available for anyone who needs to take a break. Pre-show resources are created to help people prepare for their visit.
Front-of-house staff who have undertaken autism awareness training are available to offer assistance.
Arts Centre Melbourne works with national and international performance companies and artists, including Melbourne Theatre Company, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Bamboozle (UK), Circus Oz, National Theatre (UK) and Victorian Opera, to support Relaxed Performances and assist with capacity building in this sector.
Between 2015 and 2018 Arts Centre Melbourne will have staged 28 Relaxed Performances, 16 of which will take place in 2019.
"My son is on the more severe end of the autism spectrum and at times can become agitated, especially during traditional theatrical experiences. Not only does the Relaxed Performance initiative mean people like my son … are included in the arts, it means he can form a meaningful connection to creativity which transcends his disability … We thought the play was absolutely spectacular and will indeed be back to Arts Centre Melbourne, knowing the organisation values inclusion and accessibility for those who do not fit the traditional theatre-going crowd …"
– Parent feedback on Arts Centre Melbourne website about attending a Relaxed Performance
References
[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics 2015, Survey of disability, ageing and carers 2015, TableTable Builder data. Situations included work, visiting family or friends, educational facilities, medical facilities, shops, restaurants, public transport and parks or recreation venues
Updated