I’m currently going through the process of renewing my Access to Work support. This is particularly daunting because last year’s renewal went very badly and the vital support I need to do my job was cut without warning. Since then I’ve learnt about many other disabled artists facing similar brutal cuts, including my friend and disability arts legend Jenny Sealey.

At a time when disabled people are under huge pressure it can be easy to feel exhausted, to want to withdraw or to make ourselves smaller. Our friends at Extraordinary Bodies have recently released an incredible creative response and reminder to Take Up Space – over to Joint Artistic Director of Diverse City, Jamie Beddard to tell us more.

Photo by: Paul-Blakemore

‘Take Up Space’ is Extraordinary Bodies’ celebration of the artists we have worked with, and a call for action against the cuts to benefits and rights of disabled people, and prevalent narratives surrounding them. These are difficult times. The struggles we thought we had won have returned, and the ‘spaces’ we have opened up to live, work and play in, are rapidly disappearing. Celebration and resistance must go hand-in-hand – recognising the amazing journey disabled artists have been on, whilst understanding the jeopardy we are all currently facing.

We are battling, once again, for basic provision and justice. As unnecessary, repetitive and wearisome as this is, we must take energy and encouragement from the words of Extraordinary Bodies’ performer, Jonny Leitch, “Take Up Space is our call to be seen and heard – to make disabled voices and art louder, prouder and beautifully unmissable. It’s a reminder that we’re not going anywhere, and that together we’re a force.” It’s a timely recognition of the brilliant work we have created, the amazing artists and allies in our orbit and the strides we have made to be included.

Much of this work, and many of our careers have been reliant on Access to Work, a progressive and liberating initiative when introduced in 1994. Although challenging and imperfect, the scheme eased some of the barriers that would otherwise exclude disabled people from work. Access to Work has been a leveler when working well and essential in enabling so many of us to work, contribute and fulfil our potential.

The assault on benefits and demonisation of disabled people is nothing new. The myth of scarcity, and subsequent austerity measures have disproportionally affected us – studies show that disabled people have been affected up to nine times more than their non-disabled counterparts. The dismantling of Access to Work follows in the steps of the closure of the Independent Living Fund, the controversial introduction of Personal Independent Payment and dramatic cuts to social care budgets. Surviving has had to become the sole focus of many in our community.

Debates around assisted dying provide the chilling backdrop on which these measures are enacted. In history, we see that rhetoric around ‘value of life’ is a precursor to dehumanisation and a justification for those in power doing hideous acts to those without power. We must be ever vigilant.

So silver linings in dark clouds are needed, and ‘Take Up Space’ sees artists unleashed, doing what they do best (they do have other talents!) and negotiating the world as only they can. This is the reality we should continue striving for, imagining and creating environments in which all are valued, all can shine and all take up space.

Thank you to Jamie for this guest post, for the reminder of the battles that have gone before and for sharing this powerful and moving piece of art.