First Flight Crew: Don’t DIS my ABILITY

Accessible Arts NSW, the peak arts and disability organization across NSW, is delighted that hip hop group First Flight Crew have been selected as the faces of the Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign for 2010.
First Flight Crew is an eight piece hip hop outfit from Western Sydney. Originally the crew came together in late 2008 as participants of a series of Accessible Arts and Club Wild workshops for people with a disability in song creation with hip hop artist Morganics.

Following this, the group was invited by Morganics to perform as part of a hip hop night with interstate and international artists, exposing the group to a new audience outside of the disability sector. First Flight Crew have been composing and performing widely across Sydney ever since with the support of Alison Richardson, Creative Programs Coordinator, Western Sydney Project. The Crew’s leadership and dedication to their art shows that anything is possible.

Accessible Arts’ Western Sydney Project has worked closely with arts centres and local councils across Western Sydney, raising awareness and creating opportunities in the arts for people with disability. This regional approach towards inclusive and accessible programs and practices for people with disability has fostered strong partnerships between the arts and disability sectors and local communities to ensure sustainability.

Sancha Donald, Accessible Arts CEO, recognizes the value of acknowledging First Flight Crew’s contribution to hip hop and their position as role models to other young people. ‘The core of our work is enabling and advocating for people with disabilities to be fully included in the creative and cultural life of our society, said Ms Donald. ‘First Flight Crew’s involvement in the Don’t Dis my ABILITY campaign is a real endorsement for providing opportunities to be creative and challenge perceptions about disability, and ability, as well.’

The Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign is a state government initiative in the lead up to International Day of People with a Disability on December 3rd.

Upcoming First Flight Crew Gigs:

Don’t DIS my ABILITY Schools workshop and performance

Tuesday 23 November 2010 at 1:30pm
Sydney Secondary College, Black Wattle Bay Campus,
Taylor St, Glebe NSW 2037

Get DIS Party Started

Thursday 2 December 2010 from 1:00 – 3:00pm
Get DIS Party Started
Revesby Workers Club, 2B Brett St,
Revesby NSW 2212

The Wharf Open Day
Sunday 5 December 2010
Pier 4, Hickson Rd Walsh Bay NSW 2000

Bookings essential: RSVP, Free call 1800 893 044 or email companioncard@nds.org.au
For more information, visit www.aarts.net.au

Source:  IDEAS E-news #11 2010