Beyond the Music aims to close the employment gap for deaf and disabled people in the live music industry.
Attitude is Everything – a disability-led charity focusing on live music – has launched a new three-year programme to increase employment opportunities for deaf and disabled people in the live music industry.
Beyond the Music is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund and will provide training and resources for deaf and disabled people seeking to find work in the live music industry. The scheme will also help businesses to build more inclusive workplaces.
According to an Arts Council study, only 1.8% of staff working in the music industry identify as having a disability, a sharp contrast to the wider population, with 19% of working adults considered disabled under the Equality Act.
Speaking to Music Week, head of volunteering and skills development for Attitude Is Everything, Paul Hawkins, said: “This is a challenging time for everyone in the music business, especially within live events. The industry’s #LetTheMusicPlay campaign has highlighted the gravity of the situation, but, as we plot a pathway back from coronavirus, Attitude is Everything believes it is crucial that deaf and disabled people have full and equal access to any employment opportunities on offer.”
Today, Beyond the Music has launched a survey, open to any deaf or disabled person aspiring to work in the industry, in order to establish the major barriers that prevent equal employment opportunities.