Regional Infrastructure
DADAAWA first began working in regional WA communities in 2001, when the company was invited to undertake consultation into the cultural participation needs of people with disabilities living in the Great Southern region of WA.From this initial regional engagement the DADAAWA Regional Service model emerged, formed largely over time through trial and error and the constant shaping of the model by the initial partnerships that DADAAWA established, with local people with disabilities, artists, the Disability, Arts and Local Government sectors.
This Policy Guideline details the companies approach to the development and delivery of regional arts and disability practices and has been designed as a guide for staff in their daily practice across the State.
DADAAWA is committed to resourcing regional Western Australian communities, through the development of targeted regional Arts and Disability programs designed to respond to the changing needs of West Australians who experience disabilities and or with mental illness.
DADAAWA takes a holistic approach to its’ practice in regional communities working broadly across the Arts, Disability and Health sectors, with attention to the particular needs of families and Carers of people with disabilities.
Key Principles
• DADAAWA only works in regional communities by invitation and fit with strategic directions;• DADAAWA works from a community consultative approach to ensure that programs are developed in response to the stated needs of the communities in which we work;
• DADAAWA’s expertise and focus are the 20% of the population who experience a disability;
• DADAAWA works in partnership with existing infrastructure and resource organizations to extend local capacity to meet the stated needs and cultural directions of the local disability community;
• DADAAWA works on a five year engagement cycle with regional communities, with a focus on capacity building, mentoring, assisting communities over that period to gain the capacity to deliver Arts and Disability programs that in the long term remain imbedded at thee local level;
• DADAAWA does not seek to engage in commercial activity or profit from the sale of artwork arising out of regional collaboration;
• Staff of DADAAWA, do not seek to benefit personally from their work in regional communities, either through the purchase of artwork from project participants or the acceptance of gifts from participants.
Regional Governance
All regionally based DADAAWA programs work through the establishment of locally based Project References Groups (PRGS) which are formed in the early stages of each project; Project Reference Groups are viewed by DADAAWA as essential in ensuring that all aspects of project development, planning and service delivery are guided by representatives of the communities in which DADAA works.Representation of PRGS is drawn from local Arts, Disability, Mental Health, Health and Local Government who together form a joint working party with key staff of DADAAWA informing all aspects of regional Arts and Disability program Coordination, Consultation and planning.
PRGS meet on a monthly basis around the State, providing staff of DADAAWA with local guidance through out the life of projects.