10 Ways to Make the Music Industry More Inclusive for Disabled Musicians

Our Disabled Musicians Insight Report reveals multiple issues that the music industry and Government need to tackle to make the industry more diverse and inclusive.

Here we look at the recommendations we think can make that happen, based on the Disabled Musicians Insight Report in partnership with Attitude is Everything.

Benefits for self-employed disabled workers

1. Government should revisit the role of benefits in relation to self-employment, in consultation with disabled people to create more accessible, streamlined and holistic processes that reflect the way freelancers work.

2. Government should review permitted work rules in relation to benefits so they don’t create a poverty trap for disabled musicians or limit their careers.

Accessibility, tackling discrimination and the Disability Pay Gap

3. Industry should integrate access riders as a part of standard booking processes. This would help create a culture of disclosure so that musicians feel confident sharing access requirements.

4. Industry must address barriers and discrimination intersectionally to tackle the nuanced ways disabled musicians with intersecting identities experience these behaviours.

5. Industry must ensure events and workshops are accessible to disabled musicians.

6. Government should lower the Disability Pay Gap reporting threshold for all employers with more than 50 employees.

7. Industry should not only ensure funding application processes are accessible, but also consider the impact of successful funding bids on benefits so disabled musicians aren’t further disadvantaged.

Financial support for injury and sickness, and access to reasonable adjustments

8. Government should commit to a review of the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) scheme to ensure musicians who have been injured or made ill due to their employment and who are unable to work are entitled to financial support. All musicians, including self-employed musicians, should be covered by the scheme. 

9. Employers and engagers must be better aware of their legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments and to take steps to remove the barriers disabled musicians face at work.

10. Venues and festivals should sign up to Attitude is Everything’s Live Events Access Charter - supportive awards-based framework and industry standard when it comes to accessibility for disabled audiences, music creators, professionals and volunteers.

Make your voice heard

The MU will be working with members and partner organisations to move forward in these areas and help implement the recommendations made.

You too can get involved in the Union's work for change by:

• Signing up to the MU's Disabled Members Network, if you are a member of this community
• Learning about the work we're doing for Disabled members
• Reading the full Disabled Musicians Insight Report.