Celebrate Diversity Week

Saturday 24 November – Monday 3 December 2007

Saturday 24 November

Launch Celebrate Diversity Week:

CAITLIN SMITH IN CONCERT at the Mary Hopewell Theatre (College of Education) 7.30pm

The Mayor of Dunedin, Peter Chin, launches Celebrate Diversity Week at the Mary Hopewell Theatre, College of Education. 'The man with no arms', Steve Roome will share his story. Then Caitlin Smith will speak to her experience of being legally blind from birth before staging an intimate concert with her band. Finger food and drinks available as part of the ticket price, $15.

Who is Caitlin Smith?

Recipient of the Blind Foundation’s Blind Achiever 2000 Award

The Four Senses – Multimedia Concert for the deaf, Featured soloist with signing choir. Cisco Jazz Series soloist with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) in a Tribute to Mavis Rivers, Aotea Centre (2000). Performer two years running at the Silver Scroll Awards. Performing for Books in Homes and Gifted Kids functions and visiting primary schools as a role model in the Books in Schools program Wanganui Arts Festival. AK03. Peace in the Park – performer and MC. Threadbo Global Music Festival (Aust). Festival of Romance. Christchurch Jazz Festival. Wellington International Jazz Festival. Waiheke Jazz Festival (Headline artist 5 years), Waiheke Food and Fine Festival, Devonport Food and Wine Festival, Taranaki Festival, Tauranga Arts Festival, Manly Jazz Festival (Aust), Ponsonby Music Festival, Taupo Arts Festival, Rotorua Streetfest, North Shore Sounds, NorthShore Events, Music in Parks, Gulf Harbour, ‘NZ National Feildays’ at Mystery Creek, AK05, Giant Leap (Festival of Disability), Wairarapa ‘Summer Hummer’, Whangamata Art Fusion Festival, Raglan Jazz and Blues Festival, Waitakere Sounds, Going West, Winter Jazz at the Auckland Art Gallery, Queenstown Winterfestival.

Who is Steve Roome?

He might be known as “the man with no arms” but the label doesn’t worry Steve Roome. A unique exhibition run in partnership between CCS Disability Action and IHC is aimed at educating New Zealanders about disabilities and challenging communities to see the person first, rather than the disability.

Steve admits that he is not one to usually put himself in the spotlight, but when approached to be part of this project he saw it as a chance to help. “I just thought if I could change one person’s attitude or give one person a bit of hope.”

Steve says attitudes are the biggest barrier people with disabilities face. Thanks to his parents, however, he was never treated any differently. “Just because you have got no arms Steve doesn’t mean you are not doing the dishes”.

Steve said attending a mainstream school and playing sport in an inclusive environment was equally important. “It set me up, it really did. My interaction with society is great.

Now a father of two, Steve says that the project was about everybody with disabilities moving forward and society accepting that challenge.

“People with disabilities are no different, they may do things a little differently, but the end result is the same.

Sunday 25 November

LES MILLS MIXED ABILITY WORKSHOP

Mary Hopewell Theatre 11am

Les Mills Dunedin will put on a short demo/introductory class of their most accessible group fitness programmes, with an emphasis on fun and simple ways for people of all abilities to increase their strength and fitness. Personal trainers from Les Mills Dunedin will also be present to suggest new ways for individuals to exercise without needing to come into the gym. The focus of this session will be on enabling everybody who attends to find the best way to increase their fitness and confidence.

"OUR STORIES" 25 November - 9 December 2007

LAUNCH: Sunday 25 November, Dunedin Public Library, 2-3.30pm, with Steve Roome

Celebrate Diversity Week brings to Dunedin Public Library (Civic Centre) this high-profile exhibition originated by Glenn Busch. When the exhibition showed for a three week period in Christchurch at COCA it attracted 6000 visitors and national television coverage. The photo exhibition of Hanne Johnsen's images of the disabled at work and play comprises 72 images. Intermingled with these images are quotes from the book "The Man with No Arms and other Stories". These images will be displayed throughout Dunedin Public Library (from the ground to the fourth floor, where there is a dedicated exhibition space).

Monday 26 November

"OUR STORIES" - WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS At DUNEDIN PUBLIC LIBRARY, Civic Centre (ongoing until 9 December, with 2 presentations daily or as required)

Tuesday 27 November

MOBILITY SCOOTER AID GALA

Tuesday 27 November meet at 1.30pm at Mosgiel Abilities Resource Centre

in collaboration with Mobility Scooters Otago, 16 Green Street, Mosgiel (next to the fire station)

The aim of the gala afternoon is to promote safety, education and awareness around mobility aids. This is an opportunity to celebrate how technological advancements in mobility aids increase choice, options and accessibility in and around the community. The afternoon will feature a rally, on the spot safety checks and safety presentation, entertainment and fun, BYO scooter. All other mobility aids are also welcome - walking frames, wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, walking sticks.

Wednesday 28 November

WINZ TEAM BRIEFING 9.00-9.30am Wednesday 28 November

This is a targeted briefing of WINZ staff by representatives from Disability Information Service regarding the needs of the disabled.

WORKSHOP WITH PHILIP PATSTON 10.30am-4.30pm Wednesday 28 November

Practice suite, Department of Social Work (University of Otago)

The goal will be for a diverse range of disabled people to design ideal personal and societal futures and make a video to capture their dreams. The video will be posted on YouTube.

Who is Philip Patston?

Philip Patston is a comedian, consultant and columnist. Formal Qualifications: Certificate of Qualification in Social Work and a Diploma in Applied Social Studies from the Auckland College of Education (1990). In 1992 Philip toured the USA on a Winston Churchill Fellowship researching technology for people with speech impairment. He worked at the Human Rights Commission for four years until 1998 when he left to start his own business, Diversityworks. Philip is a NZ Social Entrepreneuer Fellow and an ArtVenture Creative Entrepreneur (ArtVenture is a project of the Auckland Arts Regional Trust). Philip is also Founder and Director of the International Guild of Disabled Artists and Performers www.igodap.org, the Chair of Touch Compass Dance Trust www.touchcompass.org.nz and the Founder and Chair of the Diversityworks Trust www.diversityworks.org.nz. He was the instigator and Creative Director of Giant Leap, NZ’s first international disability arts festival held in March 2005, and is currently planning an international symposium on disability arts to be held in Auckland in 2009.

"SIGN YOUR LIFE"

6.30-8pm on Wednesday 28 November Dunedin Public Library (Central)

Featuring: Claire Beynon, Rob Allan, Julie Woods, Martin Rowlands, Sue Wootton and Geoffrey Hughes. Hayley Best will sign for this event.

Friday 30 November

LET'S GET UP TO BUSINESS

Mike Gourley at the Otago Chamber of Commerce 3-4.30pm

"Mike Gourley believes it's time for business to take a fresh look at involving disabled people. At 20 per cent of the population, we're a significant part of the market. But there are many barriers that prevent business from getting the benefits of our participation as both customers and workers. Mike has a wealth of experience in working with employers to overcome many of these barriers. He managed the government supported employment programme, Mainstream and worked with private sector business to maximise the potential of disabled people. Mike is currently employed by SPARC as the senior advisor for disability issues and is national president of DPA New Zealand."

Who is Mike Gourley?

Mike is the National President of the DPA and has acted as chairperson of the Disability Advisory Council, advising the Office for Disability Issues and monitoring the implementation of the NZ Disability Strategy. He also represents SPARC, the crown entity responsible for promoting, encouraging and supporting sport and physical recreation in New Zealand: www.sparc.org.nz

Chamber Events, Otago Chamber of Commerce

Ground Floor Burns House, 10 George Street

events@otago.chamber.co.nz

Sunday 2 December

"LET INSIDE ME LAUGH" - JOLT DANCE COMPANY

Mary Hopewell Theatre (College of Education)

7.00pm (60 minutes) FREE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE

Jolt has established a reputation as a professional mixed ability Dance Company that seeks to explore connections between people and to challenge perceptions about dance and disability. “Let inside me laugh” is an exploration of autism. Autism affects the way we see the world and the connections that we are able to make.

“Let inside me laugh” was developed around the Krammer brothers (founding Jolt dancers) and uses original film and music in combination with dance to capture their experiences. The piece is formed with two main sections: the first explores the frustration and anger inherent in the daily struggle to understand and interpret the world and fit in. The second section is about difference It is a celebration of the unique perspective autism offers us and how we all have a need to be recognised and understood for who we are.

Monday 3 December

"MIXING IT" - FREE JOLT WORKSHOP

Mary Hopewell Theatre (College of Education)

10.30am (90 minutes)

Jolt conducts a workshop for mixed ability participants. Registration, while free, is limited to 20 participants. For further information contact: Disability Information Service 471 6152, www.disabilityinfo.co.nz

"LET INSIDE ME LAUGH" - FREE Public Performance

Mary Hopewell Theatre (College of Education)

Monday 3 December 1.30pm (60 minutes)

DEBATE: Quotas are the best way to get jobs for the disabled

12-2pm Monday 3 December 2007, Venue TBA

Facilitator: Mike Gourley. Two teams of three: Ron Esplin, Malcolm Cameron, Graham Hambleton, Piotor M, Chris Ford, Jenny Newstead, Marty Rowlands.

"SEE ME HEAR" - MURAL

5pm Monday 3 December: Ombrellos, 10 Clarendon St

To mark International Day of the Disabled (and provide an ongoing reminder to the public of disability issues) a public mural showcasing the disabled at work and play in the community will be publicly 'opened'. This is a joint project between Keep Dunedin Beautiful and Celebrate Diversity Week. Studio 2 painted the mural. Resene Paints has sponsored the paint.

CELEBRATE DIVERSITY WEEK GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES SPONSORSHIP & SUPPORT FROM:

Bendigo Valley Sports & Charity Foundation

The Community Trust of Otago

Dunedin City Council

Dunedin Public Library

Green Man Brewery

Keep Dunedin Beautiful

Les Mills Dunedin

Mobility Scooters Otago

Mosgiel Abilities Research Centre

Otago Chamber of Commerce

Otago Polytechnic

Otago University

Rehabilitation Welfare Trust

Resene Paints

Scottwood Trust

SPARC

St Kilda Community Sports Society

The steering committee for Celebrate Diversity Week 2007 is:

Tracey Banwell (Idea, Intellectual Disability Empowerment in Action)

Paul Coffey (DCC Community & Recreation Services)

Judith Hyslop (Disability Information Service Inc.)

Anna Jamieson (CCS, DPA)

Andrew Noone (Dunedin City Councillor)

Sylvia Te Nahu (CCS Disability Action)

Tony Weitenberg (Workbridge)

Julie Woods (RNZ Foundation of the Blind)
ends

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