The impact of COVID-19 on arts and cultural engagement for deaf and disabled people

This research project is being conducted by Bea Anderton, Community Leadership student at University of Central Lancashire.

Bea has been exploring the impact of COVID-19 on arts and cultural engagement for deaf and disabled people. Here, Bea shares the findings from the initial survey and invites you to participate in the next phase of the research.

Once you have submitted your responses to the questions, Bea will then share additional data with you on the types of digital programmes that both disabled and non-disabled audiences are most interested in attending or engaging with.

Findings so far

“It has changed my access to arts and culture for the better. I can now be part of the busy changing world of the arts. The key improvement is that I am able to take part as I need to – rest and come and go as needed for my wellbeing. If I have travelled to an event and I am in a public space – it is impossible to rest, take time out and having travelled and paid money it is difficult to leave when I have had enough. I have also been able to try new things, without the cost personally, time and money which would stop me taking the risk on attending something I might not like or can only be with for a short time due to health concerns.”

“Digital arts and cultural content has opened up a new world.”

“The increased availability of arts and culture through the pandemic has been incredible. As a disabled working-class woman from the north of England, I rarely if ever would get the chance to travel to exhibitions/events which are often held in London due to travel costs but having livestreamed events has made a huge difference to my access to culture, especially music and theatre, over the past year. I hope this continues post-COVID as I think it has the potential to revolutionise the lives of disabled people and start to include us in areas which have been closed to us for far too long.”

“I definitely think that all music gigs should be live streamed! It’s actually really nice to gather a few friends at home and make a night of it. Even if I didn’t have my disability.”

Survey Participant Data

• 59% of disabled participants are more likely to engage online if digital content is made more accessible
• 92% of disabled participants would like to engage with digital events/experiences post covid-19 restrictions, compared to 82% of non-disabled participants
• 66% of participants engaged in arts and culture more because of the increase in digital arts and cultural content available, compared to 29% of non-disabled participants
• 59% of disabled participants felt that arts and culture had become more accessible to them because of the increase in digital arts and cultural content, compared to 23% of non-disabled participants
• 44% of disabled participants felt more connected and less isolated because of the increase in digital arts and content, compared to 23% of non-disabled participants.

Can you help with information on your digital events?

This research project is being conducted by Bea Anderton, Community Leadership student at University of Central Lancashire.

The purpose of the survey is to gather data from a range of arts and cultural organisations on their delivery of digital events. The student is also looking at whether the research findings from the projects initial survey have the potential to influence the policies, strategies, agendas and/or programmes of organisations within the arts and cultural sector.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, throughout 2020 and into 2021, many arts and cultural organisations have been delivering digital events and experiences that would normally be delivered in person. They include creative workshops, classes, livestreamed performances and concerts, online talks, virtual exhibitions, virtual guided tours and more.

Taking part in this questionnaire is optional, you can exit the questionnaire at any time if you decide you no longer wish to participate, and your answers will not be visible until you press submit at the end of the questionnaire.

If you have any questions about this questionnaire, about the research or require support to complete this questionnaire, please contact either Bea Anderton, Student Researcher or Jenny Lamb, Senior Lecturer in Community Leadership. Bea Anderton – banderton@uclan.ac.uk / Jenny Lamb – jlamb@uclan.ac.uk

Click here to take the survey>>