What is an Access Rider?
An access rider – sometimes referred to as an access document or access statement – is a document that comprehensively outlines your access needs. It provides a way to clearly communicate your needs at the start of a project, and lets organizations know how to effectively work with disabled artists (or any other team members who wish to use an access rider).
Below, you can find some guides to drafting your own access rider, including fillable templates.
Access Docs for Artists
Access Docs for Artists is a UK-based site that provides information on writting access documents for disabled artists; offers a guide to making your own access doc, including a downloadable template; provides examples of access docs from real artists, and more.
Resource by: Leah Clements, Alice Hattrick and Lizzy Rose after a residency at Wysing Arts Centre
Access Rider Open Template
This Access Rider Open Template and guiding comments have been drafted by Alexandrina Hemsley, from their lived experience as a person of colour with invisible disabilities. Available for free or by donation.
Resource by: Alexandrina Hemsley in partnership with Dance4 with support from Disability Arts Online, Battersea Arts Centre, Siobhan Davies Dance, Independent Dance, The Place and Sadler’s Wells
Access Rider from Conseil des arts de Montréal
This Access Rider resource by accessibility consultant Charlotte Jacob-Maguire includes a brief explainer about access riders; a ready-made rider you can fill out; and an FAQ about the process of creating your access rider.
Resource by: Conseil des arts de Montréal
Creating Your Own Access Rider
Creating Your Own Access Rider provides an Access Rider Guide available in PDF, Word document, or audio version. It also links to some good examples of access riders from other artists and organizations.
Resource by: Unlimited
Last updated February 4, 2024
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