New report reveals stark challenges facing disabled musicians in the music industry

The significant barriers and discrimination faced by disabled musicians, alongside financial challenges and concerns around physical and mental wellbeing are highlighted in a new insights report published today.

Laurie Oliva, Director of Services & Research, Help Musicians, comments: ​“The scale of the challenges disabled musicians face in navigating a career in music is stark and we thank everyone who contributed to the Census in trusting us with their honesty and insights. At Help Musicians we continue to use the Census findings to rearchitect our support offers to make more of a difference to those experiencing the most significant challenges in the years to come. Working in partnership with everyone within music, we hope we can do more to create a world where all musicians thrive.”

The Disabled Musicians Insight Report, published by Help Musicians and the Musicians’ Union, in partnership with Attitude is Everything, as part of the Musicians’ Census series, reveals that 88% of disabled musicians who experienced discrimination based on their disability reported they were open with all or some of their work colleagues about their disability, and 94% of those experiencing discrimination said it impacted their ability to work or advance their career progression.

The Census findings highlight the need for partners across the music industry to invest in accessibility and support disabled musicians. Working together with disabled musicians, to remove the barriers these communities experience needs to be the responsibility of the entire music industry.

The report identifies these findings:

Discrimination and its intersectionality
Over half of disabled musicians from the Global Majority have experienced racism, and 38% of trans-disabled musicians have faced discrimination due to their disability.

Earnings gap
Disabled musicians earn, on average, £4,400 less annually than their non-disabled counterparts. This gap increases by an additional £1,700 for those with mental health conditions or neurodivergent profiles.

Limited financial support
73% of disabled musicians report they do not receive any state benefits or tax credits; and 22% are in debt.

Barriers to career sustainability
Only 1 in 10 disabled musicians report facing no career barriers, compared with 1 in 5 non-disabled musicians. Commonly cited challenges include income sustainability, progression routes, and equipment and transport costs.

Wellbeing concerns
39% of disabled musicians report negative physical wellbeing, while 43% rate their mental wellbeing as ​‘negative.