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Who we are:

ADNA combines the knowledge of seven arts and disability organisations from across Australia, Access2Arts (SA), working with Accessible Arts (NSW), DADAA (WA), Incite Arts (NT), Arts Access Darwin (NT), Access Arts (QLD) and Arts Access Victoria (Vic). The consortium is one of the delivery partners leading initiatives to improve access and inclusion across creative industries and workplaces, as part of the Australian Government’s Equity: the Arts and Disability Associated Plan.

Sarah-Mace Dennis
National Director,
Arts and Disability Network Australia.

‘ADNA celebrates the knowledge of d/Deaf and disabled artists, arts workers, and screen practitioners from across Australia. Grounded in the principles of ‘being, becoming and belonging,’ we will collaborate with our communities to build an exciting future for Australia’s arts and disability sector.’

A woman, shown in profile, smiles widely before a blurred beige background. She has white-blonde hair cut just above her shoulders, and wears a red blazer over a black-and-white patterned blouse.
Two women sit on white stools before standing microphones. The woman on the left has shoulder length blonde hair and wearing a vibrant pink suit smiles towards us. The woman on the right has shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a red-and-white gingham shirt and cream trousers, smiles towards us.

Rebecca Young
Access2Arts (South Australia)

‘One of the key aims of ADNA is to decentralise the national disability arts conversation, ensuring it includes the views of more artists and arts workers from across the breadth of the country, especially those in regional Australia.’

Liz Martin
Accessible Arts (New South Wales)

‘This is a powerful moment – rich with opportunity and grounded in a shared commitment to connection, collaboration, and creating real change. There is strength in this solidarity, in working together, and in celebrating the depth of disability culture.’

A woman stands at a lectern speaking into a microphone. She has dark hair cut into a mullet style, and wears a pale grey blazer over a multi-coloured top. Three other women panellists sit in the background watching the speaker.
A man with short grey hair, dark rimmed glasses and a moustache stands and speaks into a microphone. He is wearing a dark navy suit. There are three seated speakers in the left of the frame.

David Doyle
DAADA (Western Australia)

‘Whilst prior national Arts and Disability structures where focused on the collective voice of State Disability Peaks, ADNA has intentionally formed to champion and progress the needs and agendas of Australian d/Deaf and disabled artists. This shift in focus under ADNA is timely and urgent.’

Joshua Pether
Arts Access Victoria

‘As one of the states leading advocacy bodies for disability arts and as a First Nations CEO, I am excited for the journey ADNA will take the community on as we engage more with our Deaf and Disabled First Nations peers and how their perspective can help shape our national voice.’

A man with short cropped dark hair, dark rimmed glasses and a khaki shirt smiles, his arms folded.
A woman crouches down, pointing to a large drawing on a studio floor. She has long brown hair, partly tied into a bun, and wears a yellow dress with white polka dots. On either side of her, two young people sit, looking at the drawing.

Carlo Ansaldo
Darwin Community Arts
(Northern Territory)

‘I’m excited to see the Northern Territory put on the map of disability arts practice through Darwin Community Arts’ participation in ADNA. ADNA brings together a wealth of experience from around the country to empower artists with disability to express, explore and thrive.’

Timothy Brown
Access Arts, Queensland

‘I’m excited about what ADNA will bring to the visibility and sustainability of disability arts in Australia. Together, we can represent diverse voices, experiences and creative leadership across the country.’

A young man with short brown wavy hair smiles towards us, standing in profile. He wears a black t-shirt with grey stylised text reading A A. Behind him in the distance are shelves of paints and art studio supplies.
A group of eight smiling people are gathered before a studio roller-door. Two men at the front sit in wheelchairs, and behind them stand five other people. A sixth person is cropped just out of frame.

Jenine McKay
Incite Arts, Alice Springs

‘ADNA has emerged from a long history and strong legacy of Australian arts and disability advocacy and disability leadership in the arts. It is a new beginning, a new way forward championing Australian deaf and disabled artists and culture. Together we will flourish and build a new future.’