Attitude is Everything publish new Accessible Employment Guide to boost inclusion of Deaf and disabled workers in the UK music industry

18 May 2021 - Press release

 

• Download for free HERE

• Aimed at all levels of music businesses, the publication features clear and practical guidance on how to overcome the barriers faced by disabled workers

• New research findings indicate continuing challenges faced by Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent people 

• To discuss the Guide, Attitude is Everything are hosting a free online panel being streamed live tonight from London’s Moth Club. Details HERE.    

With indoor venues now reopening and live music shows returning, music charity Attitude is Everything has today published a new Accessible Employment Guide as part of a concerted bid to improve the inclusion of Deaf and disabled workers in the commercial music sector. 

Research suggests that disabled people remain hugely underrepresented at all levels of the UK music industry, despite significant increases in disabled audiences at live music events and the fact that 19% of working adults are considered disabled under the Equality Act. 

More concerningly, a study published by UK Music in April 2021 found that one in five disabled people in the music industry have faced discrimination at work. 

Attitude is Everything’s new guide wants to help address and remedy this situation. 

Aimed at businesses of all scales, and particularly small and micro-sized enterprises without extensive HR resources, the free downloadable publication offers simple and straightforward tips on how to attract talented Deaf and disabled workers with advice on everything from accessible job interviews and accessible meetings to suggested adjustments to office and work environments. 

Demystifying many of the stereotypes surrounding disability, the publication draws on Attitude is Everything’s 21 years of experience in the live music and events industry, as well as new focus group and survey findings. 

It also features comprehensive first-hand insights from Deaf and disabled people about the challenges they face in the workplace, as well as changes to employment practices that can alleviate these barriers.

 

Five immediate takeaways from conversations with more than 50 people working in the music or live events industry who identify as Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent or who have a physical or mental health condition were:

• 79% believed that barriers related to their impairments had impacted on their career

• 51% had withdrawn from a job application process due for accessibility related reasons

• 32% were working fewer hours than they wanted to 

• 51% felt their impairments had been a factor in not getting a role they had applied for

• 27% actively concealed their impairments or health conditions from employers. A further 40% said they sometimes concealed this information

Paul Hawkins, Attitude is Everything’s Head of Volunteering and Skills Development:
“Our research shows that Deaf and disabled people face barriers applying for jobs in the music industry and that many of those with impairments or health conditions who do work in the industry are concerned about the consequences of identifying themselves as disabled, especially if they are freelance or not in secure employment.

Over the last year, we’ve found that there is a lot of desire for a more inclusive and diverse industry but that organisations are not always sure of the steps needed to make that happen. Our Accessible Employment Guide is designed to be clear and concise and to give companies the information they need to start making changes today. 

The events of the last year have turned many conceptions about the workplace on their head and we’re keen to support the music industry to build back for all and for the industry to come back a stronger, more effective and more diverse place where everyone can succeed based on their talents. We hope that this guide will help to make that happen.”

 

UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin: 
This fantastic Accessible Employment Guide from Attitude Is Everything outlines how everyone can help improve access for disabled people to work in the music industry.

Around 12% of people working in the music business have an impairment or long-term health condition, according to the UK Music Workplace Diversity survey.

The music industry should lead the way when it comes to ensuring that everyone with an impairment has the opportunity to forge a successful career in a sector that employs 200,000 people and contributes £5.8 billion to the economy.

UK Music is committed to continue to work with Attitude Is Everything and our members to ensure that our vibrant industry fully reflects the diversity of the UK.”

 

Joe Frankland, CEO of the PRS Foundation:
Having benefited so much from working closely with Attitude is Everything over the last few years, PRS Foundation once again commends the AiE team for another pioneering and comprehensive guide which will help music companies of all sizes in all sectors to urgently eliminate the barriers encountered by talented disabled professionals.

Jude McArdle, Membership Manager, Association of Independent Music:
Even with the best intentions, it can be difficult for those running independent businesses in music to access or afford specialist employment advice. That’s why I was thrilled to see that Attitude is Everything have published this guide to help you recruit and support Deaf and disabled people. Let’s have a music industry that reflects the society we want to see, where everyone has fair access and assistance to reach their full potential – both talent on stage and off. A diversity of thought and experience in the workplace is good for staff morale, productivity and profit margins. It’s also the right thing to do. Every business in music should download this guide. And if you’re not the person who deals with employment where you work, send this to them. They will thank you for it!

Ben Price, Harbourside Management: 
The statistics on disclosure are quite alarming and we know one of the main reasons for that from an employee perspective is fear that an employer wouldn’t know where to start with employing someone who has access requirements. The Accessible Employers Guide is a huge step forward in simplifying and demystifying some of the assumptions employers sometimes make, and will hopefully be a valuable resource for the industry going forward.

Marking the publication, this evening Attitude is Everything are hosting a free online panel being streamed live from London’s Moth Club, and featuring Robin Millar CBE (Chair Chrysalis Blue Raincoat Group), Jude McArdle (Membership Manager, Association of Independent Music), Paul Hawkins (Head of Volunteering & Skills Development, Attitude is Everything) and Harry Jones (Freelance Festival Accessibility Consultant).

Starting at 6.30pm, tickets for the event are available here 

The Accessible Employment Guide is part of Attitude is Everything’s Beyond the Music programme, a three-year initiative funded by the National Lottery Community Fund to improve accessibility to the music and live events industries for Deaf and disabled professionals, employees and volunteers.

As part of the programme, the charity has already established a Beyond The Music Network of Deaf and disabled people working or seeking to work in the industry and a Venues Advisory Group that can contribute expertise from the Barbican, the Brighton Centre, Manchester Arena, the SEC, the South Bank Centre and Norwich Arts Centre.