Message From Our Artistic Director
Why Equality Diversity and Inclusion Matter
When I speak about equality diversity and inclusion I do not speak as an abstract campaigner. I speak as myself. I am diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. I am proudly neurodivergent because it has shaped my creativity and problem solving in ways that give me real strengths.
At the same time I know that many disabled people do not get the same chances to share their gifts. Too often doors remain closed. I have been fortunate in some ways, but there have also been times when I was denied opportunities that others had access to. Sometimes this has been down to unconscious bias, or simply a lack of understanding.
It is rarely deliberate, but it still has an effect. And I know I am not alone in moments like this, just look at the statistics below. That is why equality diversity and inclusion matter so much to me.
The reality
• Only about 30% of autistic adults are in work in the United Kingdom (National Autistic Society)
• Across all disabilities, just 53% of working age disabled people are employed, compared with 82% of non disabled people (House of Commons Library)
• Only 6% of theatre professionals identify as disabled, despite around 22% of the UK population being disabled (Arts Council England)
These are not just numbers. They are reminders of voices not heard, talents not used and potential being wasted.
When inclusion works
The good news is that inclusion changes the story. When organisations and communities welcome difference, the results are remarkable.
• Companies with gender diverse boards are 27% more likely to outperform financially (McKinsey)
• Teams that bring together different ages and backgrounds make better decisions up to 87% of the time (Cloverpop)
• Workplaces that lead on disability inclusion report stronger innovation and higher productivity (Accenture)
Inclusion is not just the right thing to do. It is also the smart thing to do. It makes businesses stronger, communities healthier and society more creative. But numbers can only take us so far. To understand the true power of inclusion, we need to look at the human stories.
Theatre as a space for change
This is where theatre becomes powerful. It is not only a stage for performance. It is a stage for possibility.
I remember a workshop with a young autistic girl who often lost the ability to speak when she was distressed. That silence left her frustrated and shut out. During our session she was introduced to British Sign Language. Although she could hear, in that moment she realised she had another way to communicate, even when words would not come. The look on her face as she signed her own name for the first time was unforgettable.
What made it life changing was what happened afterwards. She went on to learn how to sign emotions and basic words so she could communicate effectively in times of crisis. Our BSL theatre workshop gave her the bridge, and she carried it into her daily life.
I also remember speaking with a widow who told me how theatre had carried her through grief after her husband died. She said it gave her hope when she thought no one understood. Theatre was not simply entertainment for her. It was healing. It was connection.
These moments remind me why inclusion matters. They show that theatre can be more than performance. It can be the bridge that reconnects people with their voice, their community and even their own sense of worth.
What Actcessible is building
Actcessible is one determined step in that direction.
• We bring accessible performances into schools, hospitals, care homes and community spaces where everyone can take part
• We run theatre workshops and lessons that explore inclusive methods and give participants practical tools to embed them
• We develop a digital platform with online games and resources designed to be inclusive from the very start
We are here to make inclusion feel normal, joyful and possible in every setting.
Looking forward
Equality diversity and inclusion are not extras. They are foundations for a fairer world. They change lives. They create joy. They make us stronger together.
Closing the disability employment gap alone could add tens of billions of pounds to the UK economy every year (The Times). But beyond the numbers, it is about people.
It is about children finding their voice, communities finding resilience and families finding hope.
That is why I am proud to work with Actcessible. Through theatre, education and creativity we can model the inclusive society we want to see and help build it together.
Robbie
Actcessible's Artistic Director
