Graeae have been working behind the scenes to create a package of support for the vital Deaf and disabled freelance workforce.

Thanks to grants from Arts Council England and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, they can help connect you with other artists in the industry, help get your projects off the ground, or give you the tools you need to be creative from home.

Access Support for meetings

Zoom meetings are seldom truly accessible. We can arrange and pay for access support to enable you attend networking or industry specific meetings.

This can include interpreters, captioners, note-takers, Easy English papers or creative enablers.

To learn more, contact victoria@graeae.org with details.

Purchase or loan of technology

To enable you to work as a professional from home we can help you get access to the technology you need. This may include: microphone, camera, tripod, editing software subscription, online or physical data storage, plus some specific access equipment that you have not been able to get through other means.

To apply, contact victoria@graeae.org with details. They will prioritise applications linked to specific projects you are hoping to deliver.

Getting projects off the ground

You will have seen the recent publicity for Beyond. In essence, if you live or work in the North, North East, North West or East Midlands and have a creative project that has reached a wall, we are sharing access to many regional venues that want to help.

Free/cheap rehearsal space, shadowing, mentoring, support with sourcing funding… the lot.

To apply, click here.

Applying for funding for projects

Arts Council England have re-opened their Project Grants round. They are looking for applicants from Deaf and disabled freelancers. We are one of a few companies supporting applicants who want help navigating the process.

More information in an easy read format on how to apply can be found by clicking here.

Applying for personal financial support

If you are in need of funds to tide you over until the workplace opens up for you, you can apply to the Theatre Artists Fund (TAF) for a grant of up to £1,000.

The fund is open to all freelancers working in the industry, but they are acutely aware of the additional barriers for Deaf and disabled applicants wishing to return to work.

They can help broker that first contact, please contact victoria@graeae.org in the first instance, and we’ll help you through the process.

https://graeae.org/free-support-for-deaf-disabled-freelancers/