Do I Need An Access Rider?

What is an access doc?

An access doc, or 'Access Rider,' is a document that outlines your disability access needs. You might make one so that you can give it to galleries/institutions/organisations when you start working with them on a project, such as a gallery you're doing a show at, to let them know what you need them to facilitate to make sure you have equal access to work.

Frequently Asked Questions on Access Riders

Why might I use an Access Rider?

Access Riders can be a way to communicate your access needs with collaborators, clients and other involved parties in your work. They are a tool that can be used to share information about your access needs in a clear and concise way, especially if you often work with different people, or have specific needs that need to be considered before starting a project.

If you are unsure about how to communicate your access needs with someone, Access Riders might be a useful starting point for conversations with people. They aren't for everyone, but they can be a useful tool to help open up the conversation around reasonable adjustments, project expectations and accessibility in the arts more generally.

How should I share an Access Rider with people?

This is completely up to you! Access Riders can have sensitive information in them, so do be aware of this when sharing documents with others. Some artists might share an Access Rider on their website whilst other artists might share a document with people directly before starting a project.

It might be helpful to include an explanation of what an Access Rider is, or share a link to this resource. In some cases the person or organisation you're sharing it with hasn't come across an Access Rider before.

I'm an organisation / employer, can we send an optional Access Rider template to complete?

You most certainly can! However do keep in mind that people who often use an Access Rider might already have one ready to share. There are examples of Access Rider templates below in this resource.

Should an Access Rider be mandatory?

Not everyone uses an Access Rider and making this a mandatory part of working with someone might actually create further barriers, rather than removing them.

Shape Arts example Access Rider format

In the example below, you should replace any text written in red with your own information, or delete if inappropriate. You can make your rider as detailed or as streamlined as you feel best suits your needs.