A MANIFESTO OF DISABLED DREAMS

by Pelenakeke Brown

I dream of a prolific collective of disabled artists creating work in Aotearoa. I dream of opportunities for black and brown disabled artists to bloom. I dream of a country that welcomes disabled immigrants to relocate and live in Aotearoa. I dream of an abundance of disability focused funding for disabled artists. I dream of pathways in which disabled artists are mentored by other disabled artists. I dream of having organisations and works led by disabled artists.

I dream of no more diversity panels. I dream of a world with no euphemisms for disability. I dream of not having to cringe inwardly when disability is on show. I dream of not having to explain. I dream of not having to make people feel comfortable. I dream of people not having to hide their disability.

I dream of no longer having to apply for funding. I dream of attending accessible theatre. I dream of a world where our labour and expertise is paid equitably. I dream of Disabled artists making art without having to compromise. I dream of a connected arts industry that gets it. I dream of a world where the disabled body is viewed as beautiful, thriving and sexy.

The binary

When thinking about life and disability status, the binary that is often shared is ‘able bodied and disabled.’ Instead, I would like to offer another: ‘disabled and non-disabled.’ That actually we are on a spectrum and more often than not we travel along this spectrum throughout our lifetimes, experiencing sickness, disability or periods of nondisability. One thing I hope that may stay after this pandemic is this idea that our bodies are always travelling on this spectrum.

How can disability be seen as a form of artistry?

This is a question that I have been mulling on for a few years now. To me this is a really exciting question. Disability in this context is a purposeful one. Disability is defined not by your medical diagnosis, instead, disability is used as an identity marker that acknowledges that your body, mind, or your BodyMind work in a non-normative, capitalist way. And that this is a source of connection and community for you, rather than pain or shame, as is often taught to us. And what do I mean by artistry? If we acknowledge and delight in our disabled bodies, then these very ways that we navigate, problem solve and therefore create can be powerful tools to make art. What are your ways of navigating the world, ideas, or tools that you use, how can they be used to create new work? In 2021 Susan Williams created Illegally Blind performed at BATS, Wellington. A live show that blended form and genre - a mixture of theatre and poetry as well as embedding audio description into the piece. Audio description – verbal dialogue that describes to blind or low vision audience members what is occurring on stage. This is most often fed through a headset – so this is often not noticed by other audience members. This access is hidden away. Instead, Susan, a Disabled, queer, non-binary artist created a work that prioritised their Blind Audience members. Susan created an audio describer role, that was a voice that described what was occurring but also interacted directly with Susan. The role was funny, naive and was a charming addition. This work offered a tool for other works to embed audio description into a piece, and how we can innovate within live theatre when we include accessible practices. It also played with common tropes of tragic, inspirational disabled persons. It also played with common tropes of tragic, inspirational disabled persons. Pati Umaga led a group of disabled, Māori/ Pasifika artists to create a new work which was supported and presented at Kia Mau Festival in 2021. This work brought together a mix of disabled artists, dancers and musicians. It acknowledged the importance of decolonising disability spaces and holding space that accounts for our cultural identities and frameworks too. Centring this work within Kia Mau it was a reminder that our disabled Māori/Pasifika artists also have a place within this kaupapa and how powerful it can be when we create spaces that are accessible across disability and culture.

Dreaming as method for world-building

There have been glimmers of disability-led work occurring in Aotearoa and I hope to witness more. I dream of a world regardless of kaupapa, immigration status, disability, class, sexuality or gender that we can support and flourish. I dream of a world where instead of people just saying ‘we need to pass the mike and get out of the way,’ they, actually, do.