DaDa Does Digital!

2nd April 09

Pre Amb:ITion

• We were known as North West Disability Arts Forum

• We were based in a non creative office space

• We had old PC equipment – with different software – and different understanding of what we could do in terms of new technologies

What we did achieve…….

• Had a website designed in 2001 – created to be as accessible as possible - but was more a electronic brochure and not very attractive

• Established DaDaFest – a disability & deaf arts an annual festival with awards dinner and on-line voting

• All staff learnt on the job – reactive rather than proactive

Now……

• We have re-branded to : DaDa - Disability & Deaf Arts

• Moved into the Bluecoat ArtsCentre, Liverpool City Centre

• All staff the same PC capabilities, new equipment and understanding on how digital content is the future

www.dadahello.com

• The biggest development is a brand new website.......designed with input from staff, board & volunteers – it is more than just a window on our work

• We are using it to grow audiences, plan to develop two on-line projects in 2009/10

• It has a variety of access options and currently staff are being trained to add own content and build relationships through it

Social Networking

• We have set up a Face book – with over 1,000 sign ups in its first 6 weeks

• My Space

• Twitter and working on developing new networks that can be more accessible

Young People’s Ownership

• Established a 12 week programme to train up 12 young Disabled people on a digital arts project with FACT which will form pages on our website as ‘ Young DaDa’ which will be managed by the young people themselves

Future……

• We aim to link in more and more internationally as reflected in the engagement in the website & facebook relationships

• We have plans to expand our digital capabilities as a staff team – and have designed 4 half days of digital playtimes into our working environment in the next 8 weeks

• I need more training on how to do sexier powerpoints!