Time to Act: How lack of knowledge in the cultural sector creates barriers for disabled artists and audiences

Time to Act: final full report published

'Time to Act' is a research report authored by On The Move, and commissioned by the British Council in the context of Europe Beyond Access.

A research report authored by On The Move, and commissioned by the British Council in the context of Europe Beyond Access.

Spanning 42 countries, Time To Act provides the first transnational evidence that lack of knowledge in the mainstream cultural sector is a key barrier preventing disabled artists and arts professionals participating equally in European culture.

Download the PDF of the whole Time to Act report in English below.

The Executive Summary is also available in Italian, Polish, Spanish, German, Serbian, Greek, French, Romanian and English.

You can also listen to the audio recordings of the Executive Summary and the Key Findings in English.


  • How many European programmers are actively seeking work by disabled artists?
  • What are the barriers stopping mainstream cultural institutions becoming more accessible?
  • Who do Europe’s cultural managers think should be providing guidance and support to help them make their programmes more accessible to disabled arts professionals?

These are just some of the questions answered by Time to Act.

‘Those of us working to present and support the work of disabled artists have known for years that knowledge gaps in the mainstream performing arts sector remain constant barriers. This is not new. What is new, and ground-breaking, is to have the evidence to prove this is the case.

Time To Act’s transnational data shows this problem extends beyond national boundaries. It shows a European cultural sector that structurally marginalises disabled people as artists, arts professionals and audiences. We hope Time To Act can be a positive contribution to the decisions being made by artists, by producers and promoters, by major institutions and by cultural funders and policymakers. The report shares solutions and steps to be taken. But also makes clear, without delay, it really is Time To Act‘.

Ben Evans, Project Director, Europe Beyond Access / Head of Arts & Disability EU Region, the British Council.

Still infographic about the level of knowledge amongst European performing arts professionals of the artistic works of disabled artists. These figures have been extracted from the 'Time to Act' research report, authored by On The Move and commissioned by the British Council in the context of Europe Beyond Access.

Report launch

To mark the launch of the report on 3 December 2021, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the British Council and On the Move hosted a launch event which brought together invited arts professionals, representatives of cultural ministries, arts councils and policymakers from across Europe.

Watch the launch event below, supported by International Sign, British Sign Language and English Captions. Use your YouTube settings to enable automatic translation to the language of your choice.

Also launched: Reflecting on Change

‘What the British Council has done is more than a movement; it’s a revolutionary movement’.

Artist Rabbi Mia in Reflecting on Change.

Reflecting on Change by disability arts specialist Tim Wheeler is also published on 3 December 2021. An independent report commissioned by the British Council, it explores the extraordinary impact of the British Council’s international disability arts work since 2012. The report surveys activity in 54 countries, sharing international stories of change and resources for those organising inclusive cultural events.

Follow this link to find out more about Reflecting on Change.

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