The Equality Act 2010, Section 6(1)
A person is considered disabled if they:
(a) have a physical or mental impairment, and
(b) their impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) 2006, Preamble (e) “disability is an evolving concept and that disability results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinders their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”
Resources & Opportunities
Shining the light on disabled artists – see how Coventry City of Culture have been doing this.
DASH – A Disabled led arts organisation based in Shropshire that commissions work by disabled artists across the UK.
Disability Action Plan (2019-2024) – a plan developed by Arts Council Northern Ireland to encourage the participation of disabled people in arts and cultural activity.
Disability Arts International – a website created by the British Council to promote the work of the unique generation of excellent disabled artists, disabled-led companies and inclusive arts organisations.
Disability Arts Online – an organisation led by disabled people and designed to give disabled creatives a platform to advance disability arts and culture.
Disability And … - a podcast delivered by Disability Arts Online and Graeae where disabled artists discuss the most pressing issues faces arts and cultural industries.
Disability Cooperative Network – a network of museum professionals from across London and the West Midlands committed to disabling barriers to the cultural sector.
Disability Under Siege (2020-24) – a four-year research programme designed to examine the role of arts and humanities in developing inclusive forms of education for children with disabilities.
Deafinitely Theatre - the first deaf launched and deaf led professional theatre company in the UK producing quality bilingual theatre in British sign language and spoken English
Using the Law to Challenge Discrimination (2021) – a downloadable guide by Inclusion London that relates equality legislation to disability.
MAC Makes Music – a programme specifically designed for young aspiring disabled musicians to get involved with music-making in the West Midlands.
Making a Shift (2018) - An ACE report on disability in the arts and cultural sector workforce in England.
Ruth Gould on how Disability Arts can be a Catalyst for Change.
Seven Inclusive Principles (2020) ACE have developed tools to help arts and cultural organisations approach Covid-19 recovery and delivery through the lens of Disability and relevant Equality Legislation
Special School and Museums Toolkit - Toolkit developed from the South East Museum Development Programme intended to link museums with special schools in Kent – making them both accessible and inclusive.
Tate provide a platform for Disability and Art, showcasing how the range of human ability has been captured through the work of disabled artists.
Welcoming families with special educational needs and disabilities - CultureHive – some top tips on how your organisation can become more accessible and welcoming to special needs families.
A British Council guide to disability equality – a helpful guidance document that includes some key definitions relating to disability.
Disability Arts Online (2020) Disability equality is passé. Inclusion is old school. Access is now! – a commentary on the significance of access in the arts.
A Younger Theatre (2021) Disabled Theatre Companies and Organisations across the UK.
Birmingham Open Media (BOM) - a centre for art, technology and science exploring how technology can be used as a tool for change, to make society a better place. Their interests and expertise are in neurodiversity and technology, how technology can help disadvantaged communities, and how it can be used to address environmental challenges.
Cloud Cuckoo Land - a neuro-divergent led organisation making, supporting and promoting creatively inventive participatory music theatre and multi-artform activities engaging with people in systemically marginalised communities.
Spectra - A performance company working with learning disabled performers that brings fresh fire to the creation of theatre: sparked by an alliance of extraordinary imaginations, producing interactive adventures that call on all of the audience’s senses to imagine intensely positive possibilities.
Open Theatre Company - OTC use nonverbal physical theatre to collaborate with young people with learning disabilities, creating quality art which reflects and celebrates their unique creativity.
Neurodiverse West Midlands Theatre Network - A new network currently established for theatre artists in the region who identify as neurodivergent.
Deaf Explorer - transforms the autonomy and destiny of D/deaf artists. They forge radical approaches and creative opportunities to produce contemporary D/deaf culture.
FRONTLINE dance – an organisation that seeks to break down the barriers for people to engage in dance participation and performance, playing a positive role in integration and community cohesion.
Accessible Arts and Culture (ACCAC) - a growing international network and community that promotes accessibility, inclusion and equity.
Time to Act (2021) – report published by Europe Beyond Access and the British Council that addresses how the lack of knowledge in the cultural sector creates barriers for disabled artists and audiences.
Reflecting on Change (2021) – a report by the British Council that reflects on the work of the British Council in supporting and empowering disability arts practitioners.
OHMI Trust – A West Midlands-based organising pioneering the development and adaptation of musical instruments for people who are physically disabled.
Guide to Good Practice with BSL in the Arts – a guide developed in collaboration between Deafinitely Theatre and Equity for all those who engage with creative practitioners in our industry.