Learning to Change is a report examining the accessibility barriers faced by disabled people in higher education performing arts institutions across Creative Europe countries and the UK. The report was published in December 2025 and authored by On the Move as part of Europe Beyond Access, an EU funded project supporting the creation of new works for Deaf and/or disabled artists across Europe.
This publication builds on two previous reports developed within the same project – Time to Act (2021) and Time to Act, Two years on (2023). These studies focused on barriers to the international mobility of disabled artists, the programming of their work across Europe, and the accessibility of venues and events for audiences. Crucially, they identified higher education institutions as ‘gatekeepers’, frequently hindering opportunities for disabled artists. This finding prompted the development of Learning to Change, focusing specifically on performing arts education.
The report reveals that, despite formal commitments to inclusion, disabled people continue to face significant barriers in accessing higher education in performing arts across Europe and the UK. Inaccessible entry processes, facilities, and institutional cultures discourage participation, while support and adaptation remain limited. This creates a “vicious cycle” in which disabled people are less likely to apply, reinforcing the misconception that there is little demand for accessible education.
These barriers directly impact career opportunities, as access to higher education is closely linked to professional recognition and networks in the performing arts. Although many disabled artists pursue alternative training routes that are often more inclusive, these lack formal recognition. The report calls for systemic change across education, policy, and cultural sectors, emphasising that accessibility should be embedded as a core value rather than treated as an afterthought.
You can read the Learning to Change report HERE. The Executive Summary can also be accessed in multiple languages and accessible versions on the Europe Beyond Access website.
