Article 30 — Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport
STATUS IN AUSTRALIA
In 2009, Australia launched the National Arts and Disability Strategy.633 Since then there have been inadequate resources allocated to the Strategy to achieve comprehensive implementation.634
The National Disability Strategy (NDS) includes a policy direction for increasing participation of people with disability in the “social, cultural, religious, recreational and sporting life of the community”.635 The NDS recognises that barriers to the built environment as well as social and attitudinal barriers prevent or limit people with disability from participation and create a situation of isolation and loneliness. However, aside from the National Arts and Disability Strategy and some measures to address accessibility, there are no comprehensive measures to address these barriers, particularly the circumstances that create isolation and loneliness.
People with disability in Australia have lower rates of attendance at both sporting and cultural events, and lower rates of participation in sports.636 Nearly 30 percent of people with disability do not leave home as often as they would like, with the majority citing their disability or the cost of going out as the primary reasons.
With considerable competing priorities for resources in meeting the basic needs of people with disability, there is an attitude that facilitating participation in recreation and cultural opportunities is a ‘luxury’ rather than a right, which can be addressed if funding and other funding factors permit.
People with disability from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities face considerable barriers in participating in cultural events and activities.
