Many disabled music professionals feel unable to reveal their condition, study says

Many artists and other music industry professionals with disabilities fear that they will appear less competent or face discrimination if they mention their health condition in the workplace. Photo: AFP

Disability remains a taboo subject in the music industry. This is the unfortunate finding of a new British consultation funded by the Arts Council England.

The phenomenon is such that some professionals in the sector refuse to talk about their health condition or impairment for fear of reprisals.

The study is based on the testimonies of several hundred artists and other professionals in the music industry. More than 70% of them identified as suffering from a disability (motor, neurological, sensory or cognitive) or a long-term health condition that is non-visible.