Exploring barriers to social inclusion for disabled people: perspectives from the performing arts

Abstract Although the potential of arts to promote social inclusion is recognised, barriers for disabled people in under-researched. Based on 34 semi-structured interviews with and those without disability from four organisations Australia, paper identifies within performing across dimensions: access; participation; representation empowerment. Findings highlight are societal, being created little awareness needs people, supporting model disability. have implications beyond arts, demonstrating how can empower enable them access, participate represent themselves a voice. Our framework conceptualises these management change.