Cultivating spaces for extraordinary artists

Ruby Warriors in Brazil

Episode 1

The 'Disabled Warriors' had arrived in downtown Sao Paulo. The 'Ruby Warriors' dreamed of rolling down to Planetas and sinking a few Caiprinhia's but they hadn't considered the cracked and hazardous sidewalk. It was going to be a challenge hitting the uneven terrain. 

The reception in Braston greeted us with an impressive marble Rococo atrium. The orchids placed on the marble and gold framed entrance table infused the space with opulence and an air of grandeur. The soft lighting and a grand spiral staircase situated on the right hand side of the atrium led to a conference space. The reception desk was positioned immediately in front with an impressive wooden counter and low level lighting. The space behind featured old time clock faces displaying the city times from all around the world. The sunken bar area to the right hand side with a grand piano adding to the enchanted forum.   

They booked in and dumped their battered suitcases in the rooms.  The accessible room was a far cry from perfect. It had the shabby appearance of a by gone era and was in dire need of a refurbishment. The 'Warriors' noticed that everytime they approached reception at the Braston the reception seemed to go into meltdown as we enquired about the 'deficiencies' in the accessible room. 

The 'Ruby Warriors' woke at 6am to prepare for 12 days of delivering  intensive equality development in the city of Sao Paulo. They hadn't anticipated the fervent energy of the participants and their struggle for equality.    

The day shifted into the thinking around the 'Social Model of Disability' a new concept for some of the trainees. The 'Warriors' explained how to use the conceptual framework to manage equal access in a more structured and defiant way. The positioning of the Social Model framework placed the problem of lack of access away from disabled people and back to the society that had created inequality and placed barriers in the way of disabled people. 

The focus of the training targeted the cultural sector to embed the 'Social Model' framework in the thinking of arts and cultural establishments as a powerful tool for change. The TED lecture by Stella Young began to change the participants understanding of who we are and what myths needed dispelling to re-define the position of disabled people in society as equals.

http://www.ted.com/talks/stella_young_i_m_not_your_inspiration_thank_you_very_much?language=en

Zoe Partington and Barbara Lisicki would like to thank British Council Brazil, Shape Arts UK, Unlimited UK and everyone involved in the planning, preparation and participation. We hope that Sao Paulo's cultural sector will engender change and drive forward equality for disabled artists and audiences.

Penned by Zoe Partington - 'Ruby Warrior'.