Resources for Organisations

On this page we have compiled a selection of the best resources for your organisation about working with disabled artists, making your work inclusive for audiences, and accessibility best practice.

Disability Arts

Policies

Employing Disabled Staff

Working With External Disabled Artists and Performers

Making Your Physical and Digital Spaces Accessible

Disability Arts

Different Disability Models and Definitions

Find out about the different models of disability and the law around equality.

Best Language and Etiquette

Making sure you use the right language can help your organisation to be more inclusive. Learn more about inclusive communication and etiquette.

Types of Disability

Understand the different types of disabilities and how to be inclusive for people who may experience hidden disabilities, learning difficulties or who are neurodivergent.

Disability Training

Find free and low cost disability training for your organisation or team:

Policies

Templates

Disability is a protected characteristic, and therefore covered by the Equality Act 2010. Implementing a policy will ensure your organisation has up to date guidance on treating disabled people fairly, and how to deal with instances of discrimination.

Examples

See examples of disability and EDI policies used by other UK organisations.

Employing Disabled Staff

Context

Read the Arts Council England’s most recent report on disability and inclusion across organisations in England.

Access to Work Funding

Find out what funding could be available to your organisation to support disabled employees.

Volunteers

Volunteering can offer disabled and non-disabled people valuable experience, enjoyment, motivation and connection with other people.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is an important part of working with vulnerable people (of any age) and ensures everyone can work and engage with dignity and respect, and without fear of harm.

Recruitment

Resources for employing disabled people and ensuring a fair and accessible recruitment process.

Supporting and Mentoring

Ways to support disabled people in your organisation in practical ways, and through mentoring.

Funding for Access Needs

Read about how to get funding for your access needs.

Working With External Disabled Artists and Performers

Access Riders

An access rider is a document that helps commissioning organisations understand artists’ needs from the outset of a working partnership.

Call Outs

Open calls for artists can be an effective way of reaching new disabled talent, as long as it is run in an inclusive way.

Collaboration/Co-Design

Read more about good practices of co-design with disabled people.

Finding and Booking Disabled Artists

Here are some places to find disabled artists and guidance on booking (for more information, please read in conjunction with the Access Riders section above).

Making Your Physical and Digital Spaces Accessible

Making Your Venue Accessible

Find ways to make a physical space or venue accessible for audiences and artists.

This can include lighting, sound, wayfinding, access into and out of the space, parking, facilities and training for front of house staff and stewards.

Accessible Events, Exhibitions and Performances

Resources to help you make your activities and productions more accessible within your venue.

Website/Social Media

With more and more work being delivered digitally, here are some guidelines for making your social media and websites more accessible.

Access Audit – DAiSY

DAiSY offers an access audit service. To find out more, please contact: admin@daisy-arts.org