Of these, 88% revealed they “sometimes” or “never” disclose to those who they work with, with 69% of this subset admitting that this had put their health and safety at risk - through fear of seeming less capable, experiencing discrimination or of receiving less future work.

The findings correlate with earlier research by Arts Council England which has found disabled people underrepresented across all levels of the music business. The report found that only 1.8% of music industry workers identified as having a disability, compared to the UK population average of 18%.

The consultation was designed and overseen by Ben Price, founder of Bristol-based Harbourside Artist Management, who himself has a non-visible health condition, and oversees the careers of artists including Viktoria Modesta, Lachi and Lucy May Walker. 

The results suggest more can be done to improve inclusivity in the music industry.

Ben Price, Harbourside Artist Management:
“With my own lived experiences I was keen to embark on this research. I myself have a disability that I didn’t feel able to disclose, and I wanted to explore the perspectives of others in a similar position, as well as solutions of what can be done to improve disabled representation in the music industry. This aim is not necessarily to ask more people to disclose their disabilities, but to encourage an environment where those conversations are normalised and more people with a disability or long-term health condition can be welcomed into the industry - at all levels - without barriers.”

The survey also delves into several other areas, including venue access and the underrepresentation of people with disabilities in the music industry.

On the issue of representation, 90% of respondents “agreed” or "strongly agreed” that a lack of visibly disabled people in the industry is a key reason.

• 79% of respondents either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that a lack of opportunities at youth level is a reason for the disparity

• 85% either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that media representations of artists with disabilities focus on tragedy rather than empowerment, creating a negative perception

• 73% “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that the music industry has a reputation for long hours which can discourage people who are disabled, who may need more flexibility in their work

• 47% “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that the disparity is largely down to people working in the music industry choosing not to disclose their disability or health condition

For full survey results, please see below.

As part of the consultation and to celebrate artists with disabilities, Harbourside will be hosting a series of livestream shows on the extended reality platform Volta, starting on September 12th. Full details of performing artists will be announced shortly.

The research has been welcomed by campaigners across the industry.

Suzanne Bull MBE, Founder, Attitude is Everything:
“Ben Price continues to highlight the barriers that disabled professionals face from the music industry and these results reflect similar data to statistics and anecdotes that Attitude is Everything have recently published.

“It’s clear that there needs to be a big shake-up of attitudes and perceptions of disabled people by the music industry; everything from making it safer for colleagues and artists with health conditions to disclose, as well as ridding the industry of some long-held assumptions that disabled people just can’t have a career in music - assumptions which continue to be rooted in the way that our society regards the disability community.

“And yet it doesn’t have to be this way. Attitude is Everything have two key programmes with which we’re seeking to transform this industry for the better – Beyond The Music: an accessible employment programme – and The Next Stage: a programme to support disabled artists with opportunities, information and advice, so we’re well placed to support the industry to improve.

“We hope to work in partnership with Harbourside Management, and together we can forge our way through so that the music sector becomes a welcoming, open, inclusive and exciting career prospect to deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people. It takes collaboration and collective effort to make systematic change so we need allies!”

Christina Lake, Key Changes:
“The findings capture the stories recounted to us by many musicians with mental health lived experience - artists worry that they will be deemed less capable, less dependable, or less professional if their mental health issues are known. Sadly, some musicians have felt they were treated with less respect after disclosing information about their mental health. There is still much work to do to promote openness, information, and better understanding - especially as UK research suggests those in creative professions are much more likely to develop mental health issues than the general population.”

Blaine Harrison, artist, Mystery Jets:
“What I’d really like to do is campaign for a disability rider, so for it to be standard practice so whenever a disabled artist is booked to play at a venue, it’s just mandatory that as part of the technical rider there is an accessibility rider and it’s as simple as ticking boxes and very confidentially providing information of everything you need, and in a completely easy and hassle-free way. If all these things have been thought of for you it just takes the anxiety out of touring, you shouldn’t have to worry about that as an artist, you should just have to worry about putting on the most electrifying performance.”

Demographic breakdown of respondents:

141 people with a disability or long-term health conditions took the survey.

Type of disability or long-term health condition (respondents could select more than one):

44% physical impairment
36% Neurological disability
33% Chronic illness
15% Cognitive and Learning disability
14% Preferred to self-describe
14% Visual impairment
12% Hearing impairment

68% of respondents were artists.
The rest spread between touring and office/studio-based roles.

Age:
39% - Under 35
50% - 35-54
11% - 55+

Gender:
45% Male
38% Female
8% Non-Binary
9% Other (Self-described)

Ethnicity:
79% White
15% Black
4% Asian
2% Mixed race

Country of residence:
65% UK
30% USA
2% Central Europe
2% Australia
1% Asia