Ensuring that deaf, neurodiverse and disabled people are not discriminated against as creative work begins again and as venues re-open. Photo credit: Shutterstock
Today the campaigning organisations – We Shall Not Be Removed, Ramps on the Moon, Attitude is Everything, Paraorchestra and What Next? – have launched Seven Inclusive Principles for Arts & Cultural Organisations working safely through Covid-19, to complement the suite of guidance documents already issued by UK Governments and sector support organisations.
Our Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl commented: “It’s essential that work to reopen the music industry considers access and inclusivity from the very beginning. We have the opportunity to rebuild a sector that works for all musicians and the Seven Inclusive Principles help enable us to facilitate that.”
The focus of this unique initiative, which has been broadly welcomed by the sector, is to ensure deaf, neurodiverse and disabled people are not discriminated against as creative work begins again and as venues re-open. The Seven Principles offer practical guidance to arts and cultural organisations to support disabled artists, audiences, visitors, participants and employees.
The Principles highlight the importance of – legal obligations, combating ableism in the sector, consulting directly with disabled people, comprehensive public information on Covid measures, remapping the customer journey, engagement of disabled artists and celebrating disability in the workforce.
The Seven Principles are applicable across all art forms and across all 4 UK nations and come with endorsement from a wide range of leading sector bodies including: British Council, British Film Institute, Arts Council England, Arts Council of Wales, Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Museums Association, Royal Philharmonic Society, Equity and UK Theatre.
Read the guidance document on the Seven Principles, or find it in different formats on the What Next? Website.