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Welcome to the ACMI Disability & Inclusion Action Plan – 2023–2025.
Following ACMI’s 2021 renewal and transformation into a multiplatform museum, our museum of screen culture is continuing its journey to becoming a globally recognised hub that connects people, communities, technology and ideas to shape our futures.
Creating a hub for audiences of all ages, backgrounds and abilities is contingent on us delivering meaningful ways for diverse communities to engage with the moving image in all its forms. A crucial part of this work is ensuring Deaf and disabled people can explore our full suite of programming in inclusive, accessible and culturally safe ways.
Our 2023-2025 Disability & Inclusion Action Plan outlines the ambitious but vital steps we are taking on our journey to becoming a much more widely accessible museum. Importantly, these actions have been developed in consultation with Deaf and disabled artists and advocates, including our colleagues at Arts Access Victoria, and they build on the achievements of our previous 2019-2022 Disability & Inclusion Action Plan.
The plan recognises that to be a museum for screen culture that is truly welcoming of all individuals, Deaf and disabled people must be able to access and experience ACMI across the breadth of our multiplatform offer. This includes our exhibitions, public programs, screenings, festivals and events, right through to employment opportunities and a workplace defined by supportive policies and practices. It is through this that we will be able to support wider access initiatives across the screen industries and sector, too.
Our 2023-2025 Disability & Inclusion Action Plan backs the entire ACMI team - our Board, staff and volunteers - to work collaboratively with our stakeholders to embrace our shared values. I am proud to lead an organisation that’s committed to delivering best practice museum experiences to Deaf and disabled people – where equality of opportunity is available to all and embedded in everything we do.
Seb Chan
Director & CEO
Introduction
This plan outlines the activities that ACMI will undertake towards consistently improving accessibility across our multi-platform museum.
This plan has been developed in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (DDA) and the Victorian Disability Act 2006 (Vic) (VDA). The DDA strives to eliminate, as far as possible, discrimination against people with disabilities in a range of areas, including access to employment, access to education, access to premises, and access to the provision of goods and services. The DDA also applies to family, support workers and other associates of any person with a disability. Section 38 of the VDA requires Victorian public-sector bodies to prepare disability action plans.
The principles behind this plan originate from the Social Model of Disability which proposes that people are not disabled by a medical condition but by physical, attitudinal, communication and social barriers. At ACMI we believe it is everyone’s responsibility to help break down these barriers. This plan builds upon our previous plan and focuses on the action ACMI is taking to identify and remove barriers in relation to:
Against each of these principles ACMI has articulated a goal and series of actions, the people responsible for the action, the desired outcome, evaluation measure and a timeline.
ACMI respects how Deaf and Disabled people choose to define disability in their own way. Following the lead of Arts Access Victoria (AAV), we have used the term ‘Deaf and Disabled people’ throughout this document in line with the Social Model of Disability. We use this definition as an act of pride and solidarity. The term ‘Deaf and Disabled people’ includes anyone with a lived experience of disability. This could be: visible or invisible, sensory or physical, neurodiverse, cognitive, intellectual or developmental, mental health or illness. We use the term ‘Deaf’ to respect the right of the Deaf community to label their experience as one of cultural and linguistic difference.
Access
Goal: Identify and reduce barriers for people living with a disability accessing our physical and digital space, our Collection, programs and our services.
Action
Research technology for ACMI’s permanent and temporary exhibitions that improves accessibility for Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people including:
- Auslan, audio captioning or open captions on the display screen or via smart phone technology
- The Story of the Moving Image smartphone audio tours
- Filter for Auslan captions for ACMI’s Collection
Responsibility
Executive Director of Experience & Engagement
Measure
Research is complete and technology moves into the design phase.
Evaluation Measure
Summary of research findings and recommendations included in business planning complete.
Timeframe
Dec 2024
_________
2.
Action
Use ACMI’s partnership with AAV to conduct audience research with the Deaf and disabled community about their experience of ACMI, its programs and spaces. Include older visitors, young people and disabled children in this research.
Responsibility
Head of Experience, Product and Digital
Measure
Work with AAV to obtain this feedback. Develop approach and implement.
Research is complete.
Evaluation Measure
Summary of research findings complete and fed into business plan.
Timeframe
Dec 2023
_________
3.
Action
Work with AAV to understand how the touchscreen interface in ACMI’s lifts can be more accessible. Request Fed Square update the lift.
Responsibility
Head of Technical Services
Measure
New lift technology is identified and costed and sent to Fed Square for consideration.
Evaluation Measure
The touchscreen interface in the lift is made more accessible.
Timeframe
Jun 2024
_________
4.
Action
Commit to all Collections content and single channel commissions having onscreen captions.
Responsibility
Executive Director of Programming
Measure
Captions are present on ACMI Collections content and single channel commissions.
Evaluation Measure
Enhanced access to content by Deaf and disabled people.
Timeframe
Oct 2023
_________
5.
Action
Continue to offer digital and/or hybrid exhibitions, films, public programs and events that meet access requirements.
Responsibility
Director & CEO
Measure
Exhibitions, films, public programs and events are offered asynchronously online and/or hybrid with open captions, Auslan interpreters or Audio description tracks.
Evaluation Measure
Increased attendance by Deaf and disabled communities measured by audience data.
Timeframe
Oct 2023
_________
6.
Action
Create an ACMI Education Access Strategy by:
- Conducting an Audit of current specialist school visits to obtain base numbers
- Using the base data (collected through the audit) to increase bookings from specialist schools and students in next DIAP.
- Researching and consulting with specialist schools/teachers and support agencies to understand the barriers for Deaf and disabled children participating in education programs and best practice support needs.
- Updating ACMI’s website and education booking forms to ensure support requirements are clearly requested.
- Train Education Facilitators to support Deaf and disabled students in line with the audit findings.
Responsibility
Head of Education
Measure
Strategy developed, shared with the Senior Leadership Team and implemented.
Budget ensured to adapt existing programs to increase accessibility and/or target attendance from special needs schools.
Wording on website and education booking forms are updated.
Education facilitators are trained in line with audit findings.
Evaluation Measure
Base data collected and recorded for next DIAP.
Schools are clearly invited to provide support requirements in line with research and consultation feedback.
Measure success of implemented strategies through post-workshop survey.
Timeframe
Audit data Dec 2023
Contact agencies and schools by Oct 2023
Complete access strategy by Apr 2024
Train education facilitators Oct 2024
_________
7.
Action
Investigate a pilot program with Arts Access Victoria Youth program.
Responsibility
Head of Education
Measure
Education team to reach out to AAV to find out about this program.
Evaluation Measure
Contact is made
Timeframe
Sep 2023
_________
8.
Action
Review Education and Public Programs promotional and bookings process including the website, ticket path and emails, to ensure barriers are removed and services are clearly communicated.
Responsibility
Executive Director of Experience and Engagement
Measure
Review is complete and recommendations shared with the Senior Leadership Team for planned implementation.
Evaluation Measure
Feedback on booking process is complete and shared and implementation steps are planned.
Timeframe
Dec 2023
_________
9.
Action
Work with AAV to host The Other Film Festival annually on Cinema 3 and collaborate with AAV to offer in person sessions.
Conduct audience research during the festival and use this to develop an open captions program for ACMI cinemas.
Responsibility
Executive Director of Programming
Measure
The Other Film Festival is successfully hosted.
Open Caption program/process is developed in line with audience research.
Process is embedded into the film acquisition workflow.
Evaluation Measure
Open caption screenings are scheduled and marketed to the disabled community.
Timeframe
Dec 2023
Mar 2024
_________
10.
Action
Provide Deaf and disabled people with a free, annual ACMI membership. Ensure there is a self-identification component to this as not all Deaf and disabled people are eligible for Disability Support (DSP) or NDIS.
Responsibility
Head of Experience, Product and Digital
Measure
Increase in number of Deaf and disabled visitors to ACMI.
Evaluation Measure
Self-identification process is put in place for Deaf and disabled people to request a 3-year free membership.
Timeframe
Sep 2023
_________
11.
Action
Use matte finishes to minimise challenges associated with glare for future exhibitions
Responsibility
Director of Exhibitions and Touring
Measure
Matt finishes are considered at design phase
Evaluation Measure
Reduction in reports of glare.
Number and location of matt finishes incorporated at design phase.
Timeframe
Nov 2023
_________
12.
Action
Create a more inclusive gallery space for blind and low vision visitors eg large print labels, clear signage, audio described programs/ labels, touch items in exhibitions, exhibition design and lighting.
Responsibility
Director of Exhibitions & Touring
Head of Film, Public Programs and ACMI X E&E
Measure
Access for blind and low vision visitors improved.
Blind and low vision visitor numbers increased.
Evaluation Measure
Large print labels are created and made public.
100% for G4 shows and 70% for The Story of the Moving Image of written information converted
Audio Description program is created and advertised on ACMI’s website.
Six described tours for SOMI per year
Four described tours for G4 shows per year.
Timeframe
Oct 2023
_________
13.
Action
Improve the accessibility of ACMI’s website by including hidden disability specific information on the ‘Accessibility’ webpage to help people know that they are welcome, including:
Moving the access page on website so that it is easier to find.
Updating information about lift access.
Including an access statement.
Sunflower imagery.
Responsibility
Head of Experience, Product and Digital
Measure
Improved engagement with the neurodiverse communities.
Evaluation Measure
Sunflower imagery and Hidden Disability specific information is included in ACMI’s website.
The access page is moved.
Lift information is updated.
Access statement is included.
Timeframe
Oct 2023
_________
14.
Action
Include access information for each exhibition/event/program on the event page of the ACMI website. Include recommended age range.
Update website so visitors view events through the calendar to utilise the filter and search ACMI’s program through accessibility needs (i.e. Auslan, wheelchair accessible etc)
Responsibility
Head of Experience, Product and Digital
Measure
Feedback and increased engagement with a broad range of people.
Evaluation Measure
Access information for each exhibition/event/ program is included on the event page of the ACMI website.
Recommended age range is included.
Website is updated so visitors view events through the calendar to utilise the filter and search ACMI’s program through accessibility needs.
Timeframe
Dec 2023
_________
15.
Action
Provide people with the opportunity to book seats near the door of cinemas and make sure this is advertised.
Responsibility
Executive Director of Experience & Engagement
Measure
Visitors provide their access requirements (including seat placement) through purchase pathway.
Evaluation Measure
Additional access information introduced into the purchase pathway, with customers provided with an opportunity to state their access requirements (including seat placement) prior to attending a session.
Timeframe
Nov 2023
_________
16.
Action
Provide people with the opportunity to book seats near the door of cinemas and make sure this is advertised.
Responsibility
Executive Director of Experience & Engagement
Measure
Visitors provide their access requirements (including seat placement) through purchase pathway.
Evaluation Measure
Additional access information introduced into the purchase pathway, with customers provided with an opportunity to state their access requirements (including seat placement) prior to attending a session.
Timeframe
Nov 2023
_________
17.
Action
Arrange for hand-dryers in all bathrooms to be turned off during Quiet Hour sessions and identify these as sensory-friendly bathrooms during these sessions).
Responsibility
Building and Operations Manger
Measure
Visitors attending quiet sessions are not impacted by the noise of hand dryers.
Evaluation Measure
Building and Operations manager is notified of Quiet Hour sessions and arranges for the hand dryers to be turned off during this time.
Timeframe
Oct 2023
_________
18.
Action
Increase size of ‘no touching’ signs.
Responsibility
Director of Exhibitions and Touring
Measure
More accessible signs are created.
Evaluation Measure
Signs are installed.
Timeframe
Oct 2023
_________
19.
Action
Use contrasting colours for seats in darker areas of the museum to reduce trips and falls for people with sensory differences.
Responsibility
Director of Exhibitions and Touring
Measure
Contrasting coloured seats are used in museum design.
Evaluation Measure
Reduced reports of trips and falls in the museum.
Number and location of coloured seats included in museum design.
Timeframe
Nov 2023
_________
20.
Action
Cinema 3
Responsibility
Head of Experience & Engagement
Measure
Ongoing partnership with The Other Film Festival. Develop year-round program on Cinema 3 for Deaf and Disabled people.
Establish ACMI as collaborator in the global disability screen advocacy movement.
Evaluation Measure
Increase visitation from Deaf and Disabled people to ACMI’s online programming.
Report on number of films programmed for or by Deaf and Disabled people.
Timeframe
Dec 2023
Employment
Goal: Reduce barriers for people with disability obtaining and maintaining employment
1.
Action
Ensure the Impact21 participants have the resources required to achieve the goals of the internship and to gain employable skills.
Responsibility
Head of People & Culture
Measure
ACMI meets the requirements of its Employer Partner with Imapct21.
Evaluation Measure
Requirements fulfilled.
Timeframe
Jan 2024
_________
2.
Action
Participate in Impact21’s Foundation Program to provide work experience to young adults with down syndrome.
Responsibility
Head of People & Culture
Measure
Work experience opportunity offered annually.
Evaluation Measure
Work experience provided by 2 teams annually.
Timeframe
Annually
_________
3.
Action
Investigate best practice employment processes to support Deaf and disabled people including invisible disabilities eg physical, sensory, neurodiverse, cognitive, mental health issues, chronic illness.
Train managers to better understand how to modify workflows, timelines, breaks etc.
P&C team participate in AAV’s work practices for Deaf and disabled employees training.
Responsibility
Head of People & Culture
Measure
Develop a practices procedure.
Develop customised access plans to meet individual needs.
_________
Evaluation Measure
Practices procedure is complete.
Access plans are in place.
Completion of AAV’s work practices for Deaf and disabled employees training by P&C.
Work culture is more inclusive (based on annual anonymous survey from Deaf and disabled staff) including work social events.
Timeframe
Dec 2023
_________
4.
Action
Invite feedback from Deaf and disabled staff members on all parts of employment at ACMI, hiring process, social events, building access etc and use this feedback to continually improve ACMI’s practices.
Responsibility
Head of People & Culture
Measure
ACMI’s employment practices for Deaf and disabled employees improved as seen in feedback (via an anonymous survey) from this group of employees.
ACMI is seen as a safe employer by Deaf and disabled workers.
Evaluation Measure
70% response rate to anonymous survey. Feedback submitted to the Senior Leadership team and incorporated into practice or planning for next DIAP.
Timeframe
Conduct annually
_________
5.
Action
Include Auslan, audio description and open captions during ACMI’s recruitment process.
Responsibility
Head of People & Culture
Measure
Auslan, audio description and open captions are available during ACMI’s recruitment process.
Evaluation Measure
Number of jobs advertised with Auslan, audio captioning and open captions.
Timeframe
Dec 2024
_________
6.
Action
Research and implement an easy and safe way for current ACMI staff to identify as having a disability.
Commit to increasing the number of Deaf and disabled staff.
Provide DAAT training before employing Deaf people.
Responsibility
Director & CEO and Head of People & Culture
Measure
The number of staff who identify as Deaf and disabled increases.
Training is provided to all staff.
Evaluation Measure
Target
From 1.5% to 5%
10%
15%
_________
Timeframe
Dec 2023
Dec 2024
Dec 2025
Inclusion and Participation
Goal: Invite and welcome people with disabilities to ACMI
1.
Action
Work with Arts Access Victoria to host The Other Film Festival (TOFF).
Responsibility
Memberships & Engagement Officer and Festivals & Events Manager
Measure
Festival is hosted at ACMI.
Evaluation Measure
Strengthened partnership with AAV. Agreement that TOFF will be hosted at ACMI in 2023.
Timeframe
Oct 2023
_________
2.
Action
Advocate for a Deaf and disabled person to be invited to join the ACMI Board.
Responsibility
ACMI Board President
Measure
Deaf and disabled views are incorporated into ACMI’s strategic governance.
Evaluation Measure
A Deaf and/or disabled person is asked to join the ACMI Board.
Timeframe
Dec 2025
_________
3.
Action
Work with AAV to arrange for Deaf and disabled mystery shoppers with different lived experiences and access needs to review audience access.
Responsibility
Head of Visitor Experience
Measure
Improved experience for Deaf and disabled visitors.
Evaluation Measure
Mystery shoppers are engaged and findings are integrated into practices and future Disability & Inclusion Action Plans.
Timeframe
Jan 2024
_________
4.
Action
Research ways to increase the network of Deaf, disabled and/or neurodiverse artists, producers and arts workers who are included in advisory groups, panel discussions, events, season programs and marketing campaigns including work with AAV and other specialist organisations.
Responsibility
Exec Director of Programming
Measure
Actions successfully increase the work of Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists, producers and arts workers in ACMI events and programs.
Evaluation Measure
Research and secure funding.
Develop network list and open source with other arts agencies.
Deliver a disability led show.
Timeframe
Dec 2023
Dec 2024
2025
_________
5.
Action
Prioritise images of people who are Deaf, disabled and or neurodiverse in promotional imagery using Visit Victoria’s Get Skilled Access Program and other talent agencies.
Responsibility
Director of Brand & Marketing
Measure
Images are used in more than ACMI’s access page and include people with non-visible disabilities.
Evaluation Measure
At least 25% of photo shoots at ACMI use images of people who are Deaf, disabled and/or neurodiverse.
Timeframe
Dec 2023
_________
6.
Action
Promote events and artist opportunities through access and disability organisations, and event listings.
Responsibility
Director of Brand & Marketing
Measure
Create and use a list of media and partner organisations to promote all ACMI events and artist opportunities.
Evaluation Measure
Report the number of organisations and the number of promotions to Universal Access Steering Group quarterly. Use this data as basis for increasing targets each year.
Timeframe
Dec 2023
_________
7.
Action
Research partnership opportunities with the Writers Festival and Wheeler Centre to run a writing skills development workshop for Deaf and disabled writers and offer workshop participants the opportunity to submit pieces for Stories and Ideas.
Responsibility
Director of Commercial and Development and Director of Brand & Marketing
Measure
Partnership is formed and writing skills development workshop delivered.
Deaf and disabled writers are commissioned to contribute to Stories and Ideas.
Evaluation Measure
Increase representation of Deaf and disabled writers in Stories & Ideas to 5% in 2023/2024FY
Timeframe
Jun 2024
_________
8.
Action
Identify opportunities to feature Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent creators in The Story of the Moving Image and the ACMI program.
Increase representation of Deaf and disabled artists in SOMI and ACMI’s broader program offer.
Responsibility
Executive Director of Programming
Measure
Opportunities are identified and a plan is created to increase representation of Deaf and disabled artists in SOMI and ACMI’s broader program.
Evaluation Measure
Report on opportunities identified, what and how many took place and when.
Plan is created.
Timeframe
Dec 2023
_________
9.
Action
Ensure that staff from external events (MIFF, MQFF etc) are trained/briefed on our accessibility policies, so that while they are working in our building, they can uphold our image and make our patrons comfortable and welcomed.
Responsibility
Festival and Events Manager and Volunteer Manager
Measure
ACMI’s approach to making visitors comfortable and welcome is incorporated into Partner staff and volunteer briefings.
Evaluation Measure
Feedback and increased engagement with a broad range of people.
Timeframe
Dec 2023
_________
10.
Action
Train VX staff on how to support people with hidden disabilities.
Include hidden disabilities Sunflower imagery and signage at the museum and provide Sunflower lanyards to staff to help people with a hidden disability feel welcome.
Responsibility
Head of Visitor Experience
Measure
Visitors with hidden disabilities feel safe and supported at ACMI.
Evaluation Measure
Trained staff and volunteers may choose to wear a Sunflower sticker or badge, so that they can be quickly identified by a person who needs help.
Timeframe
Dec 2023
_________
11.
Action
Develop communication tools such as communication cards or visual schedules to support visitors with different communication preferences attending access events and school excursions.
Responsibility
Head of ACMI X and Public Programming and Head of Education
Measure
Communication tools are developed and used during access events and school excursions.
Evaluation Measure
Two or more tools or visual schedules have been developed, trialed and evaluated.
Timeframe
Dec 2023
Attitudes and behaviours
Goal: Develop positive attitudes through increasing awareness and revising policy and practice.
1.
Action
Review ACMI’s Recruitment Policy and Process through an intersectional lens in line with ACMI’s Gender Equality Action Plan.
Responsibility
Head of People & Culture
Measure
Review complete and policies updated.
Evaluation Measure
Relate the evaluation of the DIAP every year to the evaluation of a business or strategic plan.
Timeframe
Oct 2023
_________
2.
Action
Develop and implement an evaluation process to measure DIAP progress.
Responsibility
Chair Universal Access Steering Group
Measure
DIAP remains a living and impactful document.
Evaluation Measure
Evaluation process is developed and implemented.
Timeframe
Dec 2023
_________
3.
Action
Refresh ACMI’s Universal Access Steering Group, the group responsible for bringing the Disability Action Plan to life across all areas of the organisation and undertaking status and progress reporting against the objectives and goals of the plan and invite external Deaf and Disabled artists and advocates to join the Universal Access Steering group.
Responsibility
Chair Universal Access Steering Group
Measure
New Universal Access Steering Group is established with updated Terms of Reference and this is communicated to the organisation.
Evaluation Measure
95% attendance from the Universal access steering group meetings.
Increased updates to the organisation about the DIAP.
Timeframe
Sept 2023
_________
4.
Action
Create an Access Officer role which will be a point of contact for both ACMI staff and visitors to ask for information and support about museum accessibility and available services. This role would also build capacity within ACMI to integrate the DIAP into all aspects of work. Ensure role is flexible ie accommodate part time, working from home, etc.
Responsibility
Director & CEO
Measure
Role is budgeted for, created and recruited.
Evaluation Measure
ACMI visitors report improved information about museum accessibility and available services through visitor feedback.
Staff report improved information about museum accessibility and available services through an annual staff survey.
Timeframe
Dec 2024
Managing this Plan
The Head of People & Culture, as the Chair of ACMI’s Universal Access Steering Group, is responsible for the overall delivery of this plan. Responsibility for individual actions rests with the nominated manager. The plan will be referenced in the Corporate Plan, Department Plans, and individual performance plans as appropriate and will be considered as part of ACMI’s budgetary planning. ACMI’s commitment to disability action is shared by all its staff and volunteers.
The Universal Access Steering Group is a staff committee comprising representatives of ACMI’s key business areas charged with bringing the Disability and Inclusion Action Plan to life across all areas of our work and undertaking status and progress reporting against the objectives and goals of this plan. The Universal Access Steering Group will undertake a half-yearly and end of year status report of progress to the objectives and goals of the plan. The status report will be presented to the ACMI’s Leadership team and the Board.