Page 28 - Community Living Magazine 34-2

arts: inclusion
Life after lockdown

Creative people with learning disabilities face an uncertain
future, professionally and personally, writes Tracey Harding.
They must not fall behind when the arts open up again

ovid-19 and the lockdowns that with eight stops, each lasting 5-10
have followed nationally and minutes (www.accessallareastheatre.org/
Cinternationally have caused stillhere). Audience members could use
uncertainty for organisations and their smartphone to scan a QR code and Paul Christian, the artist who narrates the final
individuals in all areas of the arts. access the audio recording. stop of the “soundwalk”
The full financial impact for many Everything was recorded by the artists
self-employed artists and freelancers is at home on their phones or tablets and Launched by a coalition including deaf,
yet to be seen, and opportunities for included reflections on life for people neurodiverse and disabled arts
creative development are undoubtedly living with a disability in London. organisations, the #7InclusivePrinciples
stifled for the foreseeable future. Helen Bryer and Adam Smith, who guidance aims to ensure that people with
For those in the arts who have a created the exhibition, told local disabilities are not discriminated against
learning disability and who are already newspaper Eastlondonlines that they had when venues began to reopen following
used to a lack of opportunities within the intended to create something that the Covid lockdown.
arts industry, the coronavirus pandemic “reminded the local community that Andrew Miller, the UK government
could have major consequences. learning disabled and autistic people are disability champion for arts and culture,
In the extraordinary times that literally still here; they are still being said to The Stage in May: “Coronavirus
we have experienced, the creative creative and still supporting each other”. threatens not only the existence of our
learning-disabled community has had to national culture as we’ve known it but
grasp an uncertain future, both When venues reopen also the health, creativity and civil rights
professionally and personally. While innovative ways of working within of disabled people… it is essential we
The drastic impact on everyone’s social the performing arts and examples of new come together as one creative disabled
and cultural lives has led to a greater use ways of creative working emerge, it is community to ensure we are not left
and reliance on email, social media and important that the future is inclusive for behind, but instead shape and reset the
video conferencing platforms such as all those in the creative industries. coming cultural recovery inclusively.”
Zoom, Facetime and Skype to connect With the likelihood of things returning It seemed that people with learning
with others and present new material. to “normal” appearing to be further away disabilities were beginning to make their
Theatre and dance classes that would than anyone imagined, a way forward that mark on the film and TV industry early in
normally be attended as part of a day ensures that the needs of people with 2020, with performances in mainstream
service or college course have often been learning disabilities do not fall under the film, theatre and TV. It is important that
replaced by a weekly virtual class online radar is essential. opportunities for them in these industries
that offers a lifeline for social In September, seven principles for the are not lost in 2021, and that nationwide
communication and contact. inclusion of disabled people in a post- initiatives continue to support and
Yet there are barriers when it comes to Covid arts world were issued. develop their skills. n
how accessible these platforms are for
people with learning disabilities, even
though many organisations adapted #7InclusivePrinciples 4. Clear information about Covid-19
quickly to offer online opportunities. measures to enable disabled artists,
For people with learning disabilities for the arts in COVID-19 audiences etc to assess their own levels
– as with many in society – technology of risk. Adapt to enquiries or requests
may not be readily available, and the 5. Provide a thoroughly mapped and
isolation and motivation that online 1. All organisations must comply with accessible customer journey for disabled
classes require are not suited to everyone. the Equality Act 2010 and make people; make free companion tickets a
One east London theatre company set reasonable adjustments to ensure priority to maintain access
up a free 90-minute audio exhibition disabled people are not unlawfully 6. Prioritise the engagement of disabled
– Still, Here – which explored the discriminated against artists in all new creative projects – they
challenges that the learning-disabled 2. All actions relating to disabled people are an important cultural asset
community were facing. should be undertaken in accordance with 7. Organisations should ensure they
Access All Areas usually stages the social model of disability and aim to celebrate diversity and embed anti-
productions performed by learning combat and eliminate ableism ableist principles to support and protect The Other Richard, twitter: @_otherrichard
disabled and autistic actors but, faced 3. Co-production: disabled people disabled people
with the difficulties of closed theatres should be consulted when developing ● For more detail, see https://graeae.
and social distancing, it organised an plans to operate or reopen, and equality org/seven-inclusive-principles-for-
innovative project, creating a “soundwalk” impact assessments should be done disabled-people-in-arts-culture/
around the London borough of Hackney,

28 Vol 34 No 2 | Winter 2021 Community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk