Disabled creatives are being held back in their careers because the government's Access to Work scheme is failing to meet their needs, according to a new report. The scheme, which provides funding for practical support to help disabled people in work, is often too rigid and slow, leaving many unable to access the help they need.
Barriers faced by disabled creatives
The report, published by the Creative Industries Federation and the Disability Arts Alliance, found that disabled creatives face a range of barriers when trying to use Access to Work. These include long delays in processing applications, a lack of flexibility in how funding can be used, and a lack of awareness among employers about the scheme.
One of the key problems is that Access to Work is not designed with the creative industries in mind. Many creative roles are freelance or project-based, but the scheme is often geared towards permanent employment, making it difficult for freelancers to access support.
Impact on careers
The report highlights the impact of these barriers on disabled creatives' careers. Many reported that they had to turn down work or were unable to take up opportunities because they could not get the support they needed in time. This is particularly damaging in an industry where networking and taking on varied projects is crucial to career progression.
The report also notes that disabled creatives are underrepresented in the industry, and that the barriers they face are contributing to this underrepresentation. It calls for reforms to Access to Work to make it more flexible and accessible, and for better training for assessors to understand the needs of creative professionals.
The government has said it is committed to supporting disabled people in work, but the report argues that more needs to be done to ensure the scheme works for everyone.
