Music's invisible voices: What Brits really think about disability representation
A new study sheds light on the silence surrounding disability in music, highlighting a significant representation gap and a growing demand for genuine inclusion.
The music industry is often hailed as a champion of diversity, yet our latest research suggests there are still crucial missed notes when it comes to celebrating it. As nearly one in four people in the UK live with a disability, you’d expect to see that reality reflected on our stages and in our charts. But is that really the case?
Disability and representation in the music industry: The wider picture
While the public conversation often focuses on the popular artists we see, the reality is that disability is underrepresented across the whole music industry, from behind the scenes, on stage and in education.
Recent reports show that only 9% of the UK’s arts workforce identifies as having a disability, compared to about 16% of the working-age population. The figure drops even further in some music sectors, and research from the Musicians’ Union highlights a persistent pay gap, higher rates of discrimination, and limited access to accessible music education for disabled talent. The missing representation isn’t just an issue for artists, but a systemic challenge at every level of the industry.
To understand the visibility of disabled musicians, ROLI asked over 2,000 people across the UK about representation in music. Respondents were questioned on their awareness and perception of disability representation, and the results speak volumes. Revealing a clear disconnect between the public’s desire for inclusion and the current reality of it, here is what we found.
Can you name a musician with a disability? Most can’t
We started with a simple question: can you name any musicians with disabilities currently active in the industry? More than half (52%) of respondents said they couldn’t name a single artist, while only a quarter (26%) could think of one or two and a further 9% weren’t sure.
Younger people were a little more likely to recall musicians with a disability, as nearly one in four (23%) aged 18–34 said they could name several artists. However, this dropped sharply with age, down to just 3% of those over 65, with 74% of this age group admitting that they don’t know any.
A legacy of artists hiding in plain sight
While our research shows most people struggle to name musicians with a disability, history is full of artists whose creativity and impact have shaped entire genres. Perhaps we don’t celebrate these stories enough, or maybe disability has never been seen as part of the artist’s identity. If you look closer however, it’s clear that some of the biggest names in music wouldn’t be who they are without the disabilities they lived with, including household names such as:
Beethoven: Composed some of his most iconic works after losing his hearing completely at the age of 44. Though his loss of hearing was progressive during his reign as one of the greatest composers who ever lived, his legacy is a beacon for those in the community.
Ray Charles: Blind from childhood, Ray Charles' iconic voice and blended sounds of gospel, jazz, and blues went on to change the sound of American music forever.
Stevie Wonder: Also blind from a young age, Stevie was signed to Motown at 11, due to his talent as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has won more than 25 Grammys and is ultimately known as one of the greatest.
Dame Evelyn Glennie: Profoundly deaf since the age of 12, Dame Evelyn is one of Scotland’s ground-breaking percussionists who ‘hears’ through vibration and touch, winning worldwide acclaim.
Ian Dury: Polio survivor from the age of seven, Ian was a punk poet and singer who brought his disability into the spotlight with his sharp lyrics and chart-topping hits like ‘Spasticus Autisticus.’
Rick Allen: Def Leppard’s drummer Rik lost his left arm in a car accident but returned to playing with the band, having adapted his style and presence.
The public sees what's missing
When we asked directly, nearly one in three people (32%) think that artists with disabilities are underrepresented in music.
Though nearly a quarter ( 24%) acknowledge that there is some visibility, they also believe it’s nowhere near enough. That means over half of Brits (56%) see the representation problem clearly.
There's a clear appetite for change as nearly seven in ten respondents (69%) said they’d like to see more musicians with disabilities featured at festivals, award shows, and in mainstream media coverage.
A further 76% of respondents believe that disability should be a visible part of pop culture’s wider diversity, with a third agreeing it was very important. The message is clear - people don’t just want to hear about inclusion in principle, they’re looking for real change, and for artists with disabilities to be recognised and celebrated on the biggest stages.
Today’s artists and unseen disabilities
Much of this underrepresentation may come down to the fact that not all disabilities are visible or openly discussed. While physical disabilities can be seen, many artists live and work with less obvious conditions, from neurodiversity to chronic illness, that rarely make headlines.
For example, singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi has spoken candidly about living with Tourette’s syndrome. At the same time, artists such as Billie Eilish (who also has Tourette’s) and Sam Fender (who has ADHD) have helped normalise conversations around neurodiversity in music.
Others, like rapper Giggs and classical pianist Derek Paravicini, who have openly spoken about their autism diagnoses, show that there’s no single way to experience or express disability. For many, the challenges they face are part of what fuels their creativity and resilience.
Sophie Solomon, Chief Content Officer at ROLI adds: “Our research confirms what many in the community have been saying for years - there’s still a major representation gap in the music industry. The findings show not only that people want more inclusion, but that the industry is missing out on a huge pool of talent, creativity, and experience by not making music education, performance, and workplaces more accessible. True diversity isn’t just about visibility on stage but about opening every door for people of all abilities. We hope that by highlighting these gaps, we can help drive change and make the industry a place where every musician, regardless of disability, can thrive and inspire.”
“It makes you question whether a career in music is even possible.”
Molly Griffiths, who studied at Bath Spa University, shared her experience of balancing her passion for music with the realities of living with fibromyalgia, EDS and ADHD.
“I absolutely loved my four years studying music at university and was incredibly well supported, especially in my final year when I was assigned a mentor who helped with all my assignments,” Molly said. “However, I was diagnosed halfway through my degree, and while the transition to getting support was smooth, it highlighted how much of that process depends on the student already knowing what to ask for.”
The demands of rehearsing, performing, and attending lectures took a physical toll. Molly described how fatigue, mobility challenges, and even the cold weather could affect her energy, attendance, and motivation. “During my final year, I was bed-bound for a third of the time, but the university adapted amazingly. They moved all of my lectures online and held weekly tutorials to check in with me. When I perform live, my bandmates carry my keyboard, set it up, and help me to my car. I always have the option to sit down during performances, which makes such a difference.”
Her experience highlights both progress and gaps in the industry. While she praises the accessibility she found in education, she points out that disabled musicians remain largely invisible in the professional music world.
“There is still a real gap when it comes to representation,” Molly explained. “The curriculum did not actively explore the experiences of disabled musicians, and that lack of discussion carries over into the industry itself.”
That absence of visibility extends to public perception. Even when major stars such as Lady Gaga or Selena Gomez speak openly about their chronic conditions, scepticism often follows. “People still refuse to take them seriously. Some even accuse them of faking it because they are successful,” she said. “People’s views of disability are far removed from reality. When they hear the word ‘disabled,’ they imagine someone who is bed-bound or visibly impaired. If you perform on stage and look ‘normal,’ people assume you cannot be disabled.”
This misunderstanding not only silences artists but creates a cycle where disabled musicians feel unseen and unsupported. “It can feel lonely,” she admitted. “There is no safe space for disabled musicians to inspire and be inspired by each other. It makes you question whether a career in music is even possible.”
When asked what real inclusion should look like, her answer is simple but powerful. “It means creating an environment where disabled musicians are not just present but fully supported and represented at every level,” she said. “Every venue should be accessible, and adaptations such as sitting down during gigs should never be seen as a weakness. Disabled artists should be recognised for their talent, not treated as a box-ticking exercise.”
Her message to the industry is one of optimism and accountability. “This is a creative industry, and inclusion should be part of that creativity,” she said. “Include everyone, be better, and inspire the next generation with an industry that truly has all doors open to them. Without awareness, there is no pressure to change. The cycle continues unless we break it.”
Methodology & Sources
A survey of 2000 nationally representative UK adults was conducted by TLF on behalf of ROLI, in September 2025.
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