Who we are

DaDaFest is an innovative and cutting edge disability and Deaf arts organisation based in Liverpool that was established in 1984. Our vision is simple; to inspire, develop and celebrate talent and excellence in disability and deaf arts.

DaDaFest uses the arts to educate, challenge attitudes and remove the barriers that restrict life choices for disabled people to live independently and equally in society.

DaDaFest believes that disabled and d/Deaf people are socially, economically and culturally disadvantaged and discriminated against. The arts provide a platform that can be used to challenge the prevalent negative perceptions of disabled people, highlight inequalities and promote socially just alternatives.

Our vision is to inspire, develop and celebrate talent and excellence in disability and deaf arts. Through stimulating and supporting excellent disability and Deaf arts from a wide variety of cultural perspectives we promote and improve the social understanding of disability.

What is the ‘social model’ of disability? 

DaDaFest is disability led and focused to reflect the lived experience of disabled people. We work to the social model of disability - we believe that it is systemic barriers, negative attitudes and exclusion by society (purposely or inadvertently) that are the main contributory factors in disabling people.

At DaDaFest we work to the social model of disability. This model identifies systemic barriers, negative attitudes and exclusion by society (purposely or inadvertently) that mean society is the main contributory factor in disabling people.