The Position of Disabled Creative Workers within the Context of the Precariat in Ireland

Introduction

As someone who has worked extensively in advocating for accessibility and inclusion within the creative and education sectors, my interest in exploring the position of Artists with Disabilities (AwD) stems from a deep commitment to equity and representation. Studying my MA in Art and Social Action has also inspired me to research this area more. This article examines the unique challenges faced by disabled creative workers in Ireland and contextualises these experiences within the broader socio-economic framework of precarity. This article examines:

• The current support available in Ireland for Artists with Disabilities (AwD)
• Policies in place to support AwD
• Barriers and pitfalls of these policies
• Examples of works supporting accessibility in the creative sector

Guy Standing’s term Precariat refers to a socio-economic class characterised by insecure employment, lack of steady income, and limited access to policies and rights associated with traditional labour. Members of this class lack protections such as unionisation, benefits, or predictable working hours, leaving them in a constant state of uncertainty and vulnerability.

Creative workers in Ireland often find themselves in such precarious situations, navigating freelance work, project-based employment, funding applications, and residencies, all of which leave them without a steady income or the supports available to workers in traditional sectors. These challenges are further compounded for creative workers with disabilities, who face additional barriers such as inaccessible workplaces, discrimination, and inadequate support structures. This essay explores the current supports and policies available for Artists with Disabilities (AwD) in Ireland, the barriers inherent in these policies, and highlights three works that promote accessibility in the creative sector.

Current Supports and Funding Available for AwD in Ireland

The Arts Council provides a range of funding opportunities designed to foster inclusivity:

• Arts Grant Funding: Available to individual artists and organisations, offering accommodations for disabled artists during the application process.
• Creative Places Programme: Emphasises inclusion of marginalised communities, including disabled artists, through grassroots participation.
• Bursary Awards: Provides financial support for individual artists, with specific considerations for accessibility needs during project implementation.
• Artist in the Community Scheme: Managed by Create, this scheme supports collaborative projects involving disabled artists and their communities.

Arts and Disability Ireland (ADI) champions the inclusion of disabled artists through tailored supports:

• Connect Scheme: Offers funding for artists to develop their practice, produce new work, or engage in collaborations.
• Professional Development Programmes: Provides mentoring and skill-building opportunities for disabled artists.
• Access Services: Assists venues and organisations in enhancing accessibility, indirectly benefiting disabled artists.
• Accessible Arts Grants: Funds projects such as audio-described or captioned performances to promote inclusivity.

Creative Ireland, a government initiative, also prioritises inclusivity in its cultural programmes:

• National Creativity Fund: Supports diverse projects involving disabled artists.
• Creative Communities Initiative: Funds inclusive and accessible creative endeavours across Ireland.

While these supports play a pivotal role in fostering inclusion, challenges remain in ensuring equitable access and implementation.

Legislation and Policies in Place to Support AwD in Ireland

Equal Status Acts 2000–2018 prohibit discrimination in accessing goods, services, and facilities on the basis of disability and in this context requires venues, funding bodies, and employers to provide reasonable accommodations.

Disability Act 2005 includes a statutory basis for accessibility in public spaces, services, and cultural institutions and mandates publicly funded arts organisations to make facilities and events accessible.

National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017–2022 Outlines a plan for creating an inclusive society, including improved access to cultural participation and employment opportunities.

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) Ratified in Ireland in 2018, commits the country to promoting and protecting the rights of people with disabilities. Article 30 focuses on cultural participation and removing barriers in accessing and contributing to arts and cultural life.

Barriers, Pitfalls, and Failures of These Policies

Inconsistent Accessibility Standards

Venues and organisations interpret standards inconsistently, leading to unequal experiences for disabled artists. Policies often rely on self-regulation with limited enforcement mechanisms.

Superficial Inclusivity Measures

Surface-level inclusivity initiatives fail to address systemic issues, such as inaccessible programming and discriminatory hiring practices.

Challenges in Funding Applications

Complex applications favour experienced grant writers and limited accommodations, such as alternative formats or extended deadlines, discourage disabled artists. Grants often fail to cover additional costs of disability accommodations, such as interpreters or assistive technologies.

Inaccessible Cultural Spaces

Older venues remain non-compliant due to high costs. Digital platforms for grants and submissions lack inclusive design principles.

Neglect of Hidden Disabilities and Intersectional Barriers

Policies often overlook chronic illnesses, mental health challenges, or neurodivergence. Disabled artists facing multiple marginalisations encounter compounded barriers.

Useful publications identifying policy and practice which support artists with disabilities

Accessibility in the Arts: A Promise and a Practice by Carolyn Lazard

• Serves as a manifesto for embedding accessibility as a creative and communal practice rather than a compliance exercise.
• Aligns with Universal Design principles, advocating for proactive measures like flexible working arrangements and clear communication.
• Highlights gaps in the creative sector, such as inconsistent accessibility measures and lack of representation in decision-making processes.

Link: Accessibility in the Arts: A Promise and a Practice

Access Docs for Artists by Leah Clements, Alice Hattrick, and Lizzy Rose

• Provides templates for artists to communicate their access requirements efficiently and respectfully.
• Reduces stigma and emotional labour associated with requesting accommodations.
• Encourages institutions to normalise accessibility as a standard professional consideration.

Link: Access Docs for Artists — Leah Clements

Access Toolkit for Artworkers by Iaraith Ní Fheorais

• Offers comprehensive resources on accessible practices, advocating for collaboration and ongoing dialogue.
• Includes guidance on funding accessibility measures and integrating accommodations into project planning.
• Complements broader policies by providing actionable steps for true inclusivity.

Link: Access Toolkit for Artworkers

Conclusion

Empowering disabled artists to participate fully in the creative workforce requires a holistic approach that combines advocacy, policy reform, and the adoption of innovative tools. By embedding accessibility into all aspects of artistic practice and policy making, the creative sector can serve as a model for equity and inclusion. This transformation will not only benefit disabled artists but also enrich Ireland’s cultural community, ensuring the arts reflect the diverse voices of its people.

Significant gaps remain in the implementation of national policies and initiatives. Addressing these challenges requires sustained investment and a cultural shift in how accessibility is perceived and practiced. Drawing on socially engaged practices like those of Carolyn Lazard, Access Docs for Artists, and Iaraith Ní Fheorais, the creative sector has the potential to create meaningful and lasting change. Accessibility must be viewed as a dynamic and integral part of creative work, not an afterthought, fostering an inclusive and vibrant creative landscape in Ireland.