How to capture differently-abled audiences

Artists and companies looking to grow their audiences would do well to look towards people with a disability, who are often hungry for arts experiences.
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Australian artists and performing arts organisations are increasingly aware of the need to make their works accessible for differently abled audiences; Auslan-interpreted performances and ‘relaxed performances’ suitable for children with autism spectrum disorder and sensory and communication disorders are among the options now available.

But disabled audiences still miss out on a great many arts experiences – and equally arts organisations miss out on potential audiences. Almost one in five Australians reports having a disability, which adds up to four million potential ticket-buyers who could be excluded from your events without appropriate access adjustments.

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Richard Watts OAM is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, a Melbourne Fringe Festival Living Legend, and was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize in 2020. In 2021 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Green Room Awards Association. Most recently, Richard received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in June 2024. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts