ACCESS ARTS INC.
Training Course:
Quality Inclusive Service To The Public
Interacting With
People With Disabilities Training Program
Welcome
Access
Arts commenced operations in 1983. We run creative an¢ innovative arts projects
involving people with disabilities in Bris. bane and regional Queensland. Over
the years, Access Arts has developed policies which protect and enhance our
member' s rights This has enabled them to be provided with appropriate support
to pursue their ambitions in the arts.
The
results of this creativity can be found in galleries, parks, publications and
performances. Perhaps the one key element, is the professional and artistic
approach to the' arts and not a diluted "hobby" approach.
We
are proud to present the 'Interacting with People with Disabilities' program
to you as a demonstration of the practical ways to meet the needs of people
experiencing disabilities. Just a tap on the shoulder can make all the
difference. Advocacy is an important part of' Access Arts' work. We developed
this program in response to the experiences of members who often found themselves
in situations where theywere discriminated against or did not receive
appropriate service.
I
congratulate your company for taking the initiative to adopt this program,
thereby creating disability awareness and better service provision to the
general public. The training course has been designed to facilitate and enhance
service provision to your customers. The program targets employers and
employees who assist customers with different abilities. Not only does the
program advocate the rights of people with disabilities, it will also benefit
customers from non-English speaking backgrounds, families and the elderly.
The
program facilitates hands-on experience where, as a participant you will become
aware of the challenges that a person with a disability encounters while
leading an everyday lifestyle. We believe that while this presentation will be
somewhat challenging, it will also be a fun, informative and rewarding
experience. We have found that a major barrier to the integration of people
with disabilities has been the lack of knowledge. Appropriate and confident
service can be provided with this awareness and understanding.
Neal
Price
Executive
Director
Access
Arts Inc.
Introduction
In
1995, Access Arts was approached by Paul Morrison, Senior Lecturer in
Hospitality Management at the Queensland university, Gatton Campus. The
university sought to investigate ways to educate hospitality students in
serving people with abilities. The project had two main aims: the first was to
introduce students of the various disabilities and the kinds of needs people
with disabilities may require. The second aim was observe how the students
reacted to being confronted with real situations in tile hospitality industry
involving people with disabilities. To encourage future awareness training for
people with disabilities the following course was developed.
Purpose Statement
The
course has been designed to facilitate and enhance inclusive service provision
to all customers. Not only does the cou advocate the rights of people with
disabilities, it responds anti-discrimination legislation and addresses many of
the issues that surround people experiencing disability.
Synopsis
of the course:
The
course facilitates hands-on experience where, as a participant you will become
aware of the challenges that a person with disability encounters. This
presentation will challenge person perceptions, prejudices and stereotypical
images of people wil disabilities. Although this will be confronting, it will
also be fun, informative and a rewarding experience. The major barriers to the
integration of people with different abilities has been but attitudinal and a
lack of knowledge. Appropriate and correct service can be provided with this
raised awareness and understanding.
Overall Aims of the course
The
overall aim of the course 'Interacting with People with Disabilities' is to
provide Quality Inclusive Service to the
Public.
This will -