This is a copy of a project brief for an arts and drama project we are
currently trying to establish (thanks to those of you who have already
responded to an earlier call for help), please all comments and
suggestions would be helpful and we would particularly like to hear from
any one who may be able to contribute their expertise to the project,
particularly with the research element.
Mark
Introduction One: The Rationale
Historically, culture and religion within South Asian communities has
established a negative attitude regarding disability. This negative
attitude, extends to carers for the disabled and families of the
disabled and manifests itself not only as discrimination and prejudice
towards these groups but also as feelings of shame and embarrassment
among them. Culture and community practice focus on disability as a
"punishment" for past wrong doing on behalf the disabled person's
family, or more directly there parents. Again, Historically religious
and cultural institutions are the cornerstone of South Asian community
life and as such these prevailing attitudes towards disability often go
unchallenged, resulting in ever greater isolation from there community
for the disabled, their families and carers.
This presents a particular problem of within South Asian communities as
the incidence of disability is greater within these communities, for
example children born to Pakistani parents are almost 1.5 times more
likely to be born with a genetically inherited disability (Office for
National Statistics) at aged 16 and above 21% of Asian and British Asian
people are living with disability as compared to 19% of the white
population, at age 50 this figure has changed to 47% compared to 32%.
(The Labour Force Survey, 2001, taken from the Disability Rights
Commision.).
In order to begin to develop an attitude shift it is imperative to work
in partnership with those who lead opinions within South Asian
communities, and provide a platform for dialogue and education on
disability issues. In essence this means that to change attitudes to
disability project work needs to be done that works with, political,
business, religious leaders and with recognised public figures. In order
to penetrate the communities at large key project messages must be
generated by and disseminated through theses groups, who represent a
trusted source of information and are able to visible endorse newer
ideas and attitudes for the rest of the community. Practical experience
and research suggest that without this endorsement, the wider community
will not engage with project messages. (Khan et Al, 1996, Asian Sexual
Health Scheme, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Project).
Two: Arts OF Asia, Past Experience.
Arts of Asia, a charitable organisation, are developing an
internationally recognised reputation for engaging whole communities in
awareness raising and education projects on a range of issues. Most
recently the group has been involved a sexual health promotion
initiative working with political, religious and community leaders to
raise awareness of the causes of measures to prevent HIV/AIDS. The
project culminated in the development of a video drama produced in India
and Pakistan for mass dissemination among Birmingham's South Asian
communities. The video was the result of a four year consultation with
community leaders and groups to develop shared aims for the project and
to develop sensitive and appropriate messages regarding sexual health
promotion. This video now carries the logo of a range of organisations
recognised within the South Asian communities of Birmingham, ensuring
that the wider community recognise community ownership of the video. In
addition to this 30 individual community leaders were present at the
press launch of the video (see appendix one) to ensure that the video
was visibly supported by the target communities.
Working Title: The Myths of Karma
Project Brief:
To develop a film and theatre drama to promote understanding of the
issues of living with disability among South Asian communities.
Personal experience of living with disability and the families of those
living with disability is central to the develop of this project, Arts
of Asia core activity is to promote inclusion of those living with
disability and has drawn together a steering group of those effected.
Working alongside members of the Rathbone Association, Progress
Children's Services and other young people living with disability but
not self identifying as being affiliated to any formal groups, Arts of
Asia has conducted informal research to begin to develop "case studies"
of people's experiences over time.
The production will focus on the family and social life of disabled
South Asian characters to explore; the difficulties faced on a day to
day basis, how relationships are developed between the able and disabled
friends, personal achievements and formal achievements of disabled South
Asian people, the impact of community and wider society attitudes to
disability on the mental, psychological and emotional health of the
disabled.
The project aims to establish a dialogue on disability issues among
South Asian communities in order to generate a perception of the
"normalisation" of disability and an acceptance of the need to include
rather than exclude those living with disability.
This however can only be achieved through the visible support of South
Asian community and opinion leaders. Project delivery must be
underpinned by the ongoing consultation of those who set the social and
political agenda of these communities, to ensure that project messages
will be endorsed. This consultation will provide the parameters within
which the project can be developed and ensure that it remains culturally
sensitive and appropriate.
Experience suggests that the most effective way to achieve this and to
penetrate the wider community is to engage respected and recognised
media personalities, actors and professionals. Developing projects in
partnership with mainstream South Asian film industries develops
identity and ownership over the project for the wider community,
removing perceptions of "imposition" of new ideas. IN addition to this
the greater the "celebrity" of those involved the ore seriously the
project will be perceived to be by the communities at large.
Project Process:
The Overall aims of this project will be achieved through six key steps
i) Research and Development:- carried out by Pralex
LTD, working with disabled people to asses how discrimination, stereo
typing and exclusion manifest themselves and the impact this has on
emotional and psychological health, conversely the research will also
asses the positive aspects of each individuals life, in terms of
favourite moments, achievements etc. The research will also work with
carers to to establish how this role effects the other aspects of their
lives. The outcomes and information taken from this research will be
used to provide the basis for script and plot lines, using the actual
words of those interviewed wherever possible. This research will be as
academic as possible to ensure it has usefulness beyond the Project,
disseminating findings through such forums and the Centre For Disability
Research and the Commission For Disabled People
ii) Script Development:- carried out by Arts OF Asia,
the script will be developed form the raw data taken form interviews in
section (i), although Arts of Asia will take the lead on script
development a writing team will be established to oversee the
development of the script. The script will be piloted among the South
Asian communities generally to ensure it is appropriate, sensitive and
genuinely representative.
iii) Training and Education:- carried out by Alum Lohar
Memorial Trust, Professional artists. Recruited from the research and
development element of the programme, disabled people will be undergo
training and education in technical and artistic skills. The training
will be developed and delivered by professionals in appropriate fields.
Auditions will be held for the roles on the production to work alongside
recognised South Asian artists from the UK and abroad.
iv) Production:- Video film and theatre production,
possible partner Chicken Shed Theatre Group.
v) Community Events: Contributions from all Key
Partners. Key opinion leaders will be recruited to the project through
networks established by Arts of Asia and Pralex Ltd, through a series of
informal and formal meetings with Religious, Business and Political
Leaders. These leaders front conferences held at community venues to
promote issues related to disability. These conferences will focus on
promotion of the video/play
vi) Dissemination:- Contributions from all Partners,
large scale events hosted by the professional actors and celebrities
involved in the project will be used to screen the video film, and
community venues to perform the play version. Satellite Television
Providers to air video. Based on the success of the Sexual Health video,
mainstream media, BBC Radio and Television and independent Television
will be invited to disseminate the finished production.
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