Taking action UNESCO!: Fusion Art Gallery at the University of Waikato

What a power meeting we had yesterday at the University of Waikato! I met Naomi Roche at a Creative Waikato meeting a few weeks ago and we decided to meet again at the Art Fusion Gallery. Naomi helps the Fusion Gallery to carry out its mission to bring creative minds together. I was impressed by Naomi's dedication to the inclusion of disabled artists.

I am really keen to carry on working with Naomi because we have many complementary aims and have identified many possibilities.

Taking Action Project

I travel to schools and day centres for disabled people to inspire educators and staff to raise their expectations about the contribution that can be made by the people they support.

I know from first hand experience that support staff often have low expectations about disabled people’s future social contribution, and where interventions have been made, these expectations can increase, opening hosts of new opportunities for disabled people.

In many cases, families and carers just need to meet people who they can see have achieved their dreams so they can be inspired by their energy and the happiness that comes from being engaged in what one is passionate about!

I have met many parents who did not dare dreaming anymore for a great future for their child.

I am not advocating that every disabled person should become an artist… just that in following my passion and gifts I achieved success and happiness – and recognition for the contribution that I am making to my community!

It is about identifying what one is passionate about and putting all our energy in becoming great at it! This can and has changed lives!!

Yaniv Janson

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Fusion Art Gallery at the University of Waikato