Access Stage Left

Connected Together, was a Guide Dogs Australia national project which aimed to support community and peer support activities for people living with low vision and/or blindness, carers, family members and their support networks.

The project was funded by the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Social and Community Participation Grants, Department of Social Services, Australia Government. The project was a post COVID-19 initiative, delivered from June 2021 to June 2024.

Over the life of the project 52 peer groups were supported to engage in over 400 activities, inclusive of sport and recreation, art and culture, or general social and community connections. These activities were in person, online or via telelink.

Guide Dogs Australia wishes to acknowledge and celebrate the individual and collective expertise of peer groups with lived experience across Australia, their drive, leadership and ongoing commitment was pivotal to the design and the impact of the project.

One such peer leader was Danny from Access Stage Left…..

Danny meets with his peers on the first Saturday of every month. A talented bunch, they participate in sessions that vary from stand-up comedy and stagecraft to drumming and circus performance.

Not only do these activities allow the group to creatively express themselves, but they also inspire them to take up new hobbies, such as writing music and poetry… activities they may have been previously hesitant to try.

The group, called Access Stage Left, was created by Danny to provide an avenue for individuals with blindness and low vision to express themselves creatively and participate in the arts. Things like open mic nights and performances, that bring so much joy, but were previously difficult to access.

They have been such a hit, many of Danny’s dedicated peers travel from 1-2 hours away to attend the sessions.

“The impact of Access Stage Left goes beyond just the activities. It’s about building confidence, inspiring new hobbies, and creating a community where people feel valued and supported.”

Access Stage Left has a concert coming up, where Danny and his peers will showcase their talents in front of friends and family. Acting as a fundraiser, the concert will raise important donations for Access Stage Left to continue making a positive impact on the lives of these individuals, and allow them to keep doing what they love each month.

He commented, “There are so many barriers for people with disabilities—physical, emotional, and financial. Our goal is to break down these barriers and provide a lifeline for socialising and emotional well-being, especially in the wake of COVID-19.”

Danny hopes to encourage more peers to join him and his group to explore a new creative outlet and foster improved social and emotional wellbeing.

“Access Stage Left was born from a simple desire to create a space where people who are blind or have low vision can explore their creative passions,” Danny said.

He added, “Funding is absolutely vital for initiatives like ours. It helps us offer diverse activities and support individuals in their journey to integrate back into society. We need continued support to keep this momentum going.”

Connected Together was made possible through the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) grant program, which aimed to ensure that people with a disability, their families and carers are supported to take part in, contribute to, and benefit from the same community activities as everyone else.