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Removing one of many financial barriers

Our membership rate aims to alleviate some of the financial pressure that can come with being a disabled musician. When you are a part of the MU, you can be better represented and protected at work.

Explore all the benefits
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Member benefits for disabled musicians

We need to be celebrating the disabled musicians and artists who exist, and making sure disabled people can live in dignity and safety and are able to pursue whatever profession they desire to.

Ben LunnConductor and composer

It’s good to know that there is always someone behind you who’s got your back. I would always recommend young musicians to join the MU.

Kuljit BhamraInstrumentalist, composer and educator

About Disabled Musicians Membership

Why should a disabled musician join the MU?

At the MU we advocate on behalf of disabled musicians to ensure their rights are upheld and strengthened – where they encounter discrimination, we’ll challenge it. We run a range of events and workshops for disabled musicians and work closely with industry partners such as Attitude is Everything and Drake Music.

When you are an MU member you can join our Disabled Members' Network that exists as a dedicated space for disabled musicians to network and discuss issues impacting their work and career. Such member networks help the MU to better represent the needs of disabled musicians. 

Am I eligible for the Disabled Musicians Membership rate?

We understand that not all disabled people hold cards or documents, or choose to claim disability benefit at all. Here is the list we provide as guidance for when you might be eligible for the Disabled Musicians Membership rate, you may be eligible if you:

This list is not exhaustive and is for guidance. If you believe you might be eligible, please contact us to discuss your individual circumstances.

This membership offer has been developed in consultation with our disabled members, recognising the social model of disability.

Join at a Disabled rate

Already an MU member?

Existing members can only transfer to the Disabled Musicians' Membership rate when their annual membership is up for renewal. If you have any questions, please call us on 0207 840 5570. We're open 10:00 am - 5:30 pm Monday to Friday.

Is the Disabled Membership rate the best rate for me?

You might be eligible for other membership rates that may be more financially beneficial for you, for example if you are a student.

You may be also benefit from our Join for a Pound scheme for disabled musicians if you:

  • Are a disabled musician AND
  • Have never been a member before OR
  • Paid the Student rate last time you were a member OR
  • Haven't been a member for the last five years.

If you are disabled, and meet the Join for a Pound scheme criteria, join for a pound now.

What we do for disabled artists

Photograph of a young girl wearing ear protectors at a concert. The background is blurred but we can see multiple people and string lights.

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It’s World Autism Day on 2 April! To celebrate we asked Autism consultant and Heart N Soul creative associate Robyn Rocket to write a blog for us with a few pointers on how we can consider inclusion for Autistic musicians and listeners when the world opens again post-Covid.

Published: 01 April 2021

Read more about 5 Things to Help Include More Autistic People at Gigs
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Creating Your Own Access Rider

We recently held an event on “creating your own access rider,” in this article we set out the key learnings for the event – both from artists with personal experience of using access riders, and organisations who work on improving access.

Published: 18 January 2021

Read more about Creating Your Own Access Rider
Black and white photograph of a conductors hands, holding a baton over the music stand at the head of an orchestra. The musicians in the background are blurred.

Disability History Month: Music Making and the Fates of Disabled People

Conductor and composer Ben Lunn discusses how we need to celebrate “the disabled musicians and artists who exist,” whilst, “making sure disabled people can live in dignity and safety and are able to pursue whatever profession they desire to.”

Published: 17 November 2020

Read more about Disability History Month: Music Making and the Fates of Disabled People