Arts manifesto says ‘accessible on paper’ is not good enough

A new manifesto addressing the challenges that young Deaf, Disabled, and neurodivergent people face has been launched by Liverpool theatre company 20 Stories High in association with London-based theatre company Graeae.

The Access Manifesto: A New Chapter for the Arts is a practical guide for arts organisations and venues to enable them to take action on making the arts more accessible for young audiences, participants and artists.

Incorporating the experiences and thoughts of over 60 Deaf, Disabled and neurodivergent young people and young adults from across the country, the guide is available as a short film and document that aims to act as “a beacon of change”.

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In its advice to organisations, the manifesto notes that while many venues are “accessible on paper”, logistically, they are “still not fit for purpose” and urges arts leaders to “look further than what the law deems accessible”.

The manifesto states: "We need clear communication and visibility for sign language users, easy access to all spaces and integrated audio description throughout performances and venues. These should all be implemented into spaces, shows and staff training every day of the week."

It also calls for wider representation in arts organisations “on stage and off stage and in leadership roles” and for organisations to understand it is their responsibility to actively seek feedback from disabled people to improve their services and spaces.

'Pushed aside'

The manifesto emerged out of a previous collaboration between 20 Stories High and Graeae, a show called High Times and Dirty Monsters, which explored the challenges that young Deaf, Disabled and neurodivergent people face after the cast and participants found that many of the arts spaces they visited were failing them.

Ayzah Ahmed, co-writer of the manifesto, participated in High Times and Dirty Monsters. “The access manifesto is important to me as an artist because it's simple – it’s time for a change in the right direction for us all,” said Ahmed.

"We, as Disabled people, have been pushed aside for far too long. I'm very happy to be a part of a film that can teach everyone how to help others by simply asking us as artists.

“I believe that the Access Manifesto is the first big step to great change. Now, I just hope that the arts really listen and apply all that everyone has said.”

Graeae’s Deputy Artistic Director, Jodi-Alissa Bickerton, said: “We’re reassured to have allies like 20 Stories High championing bold, kind, accessible theatre. We’re thankful to our communities of young disabled people across Liverpool and London as we together challenge why access is seen as radical rather than a human right.”