Diversity and Equality Resources Free

We’ve designed this resource bank to help signpost you to websites, articles and organisations specialising in diversity and equality. We hope it will be useful to people looking to:

-increase their understanding of conversations around diversity and equality
-implement practical measures in their own organisation or business
-find emotional support

This is a working document, which continues to evolve, so, please do get in touch with us via email at Info with any additional resources you feel should be included for sharing. We appreciate your support.

Disability

Easy Read Service
Easy Read refers to the presentation of text in an accessible, easy to understand format. It’s often useful for learning disabled people but may also be beneficial for people with other conditions affecting how they process information, or for people for who English isn’t their first language. Easy Reads are generally guided and facilitated activities for those that need support in understanding the Easy Read information. You can find out more about Easy Read here.

Shape Arts
Shape Arts is a disability-led arts organisation which works to improve access to culture for disabled people. It does so by providing opportunities for disabled artists, training cultural institutions to be more open to disabled people, and through participatory arts and development programmes.

Disabled Cartoonists Database 
The Cartoonists of Color, Queer Cartoonists, and Disabled Cartoonists databases were created and are maintained by cartoonist MariNaomi as a way to spotlight marginalized comics creators. Visit the website here.

Disability Arts Online
Disability Arts Online is an organisation led by disabled people. It was set up to advance disability arts and culture through the pages of its journal. Their primary goal is to support disabled artists, by getting the word out about the fantastic art being produced by disabled artists within the sector.

We Shall Not Be Removed

#WeShallNotBeRemoved is an intersectional UK Disability Arts Alliance formed as an emergency response to the pandemic. More information can be found here.

Unlimited
Unlimited is an arts commissioning programme on a mission to embed work by disabled artists within the UK and international cultural sectors. It also aims to reach new audiences and shift perceptions of disabled people.

DaDaFest

DaDaFest produce opportunities for disabled and d/Deaf people to perform and access the arts, including training and a festival programme.

Nvision
NVision have a helpful resource for Internet Navigation for Individuals with Low Vision or Blindness which you can find here.

The Chronic Creative newsletter

Open and honest conversations about disability, activism and illustration from freelance illustrator and disability activist, Ananya Rao-Middleton

All In

All In is the new UK arts access scheme for D/deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent people when attending arts and cultural events in the UK, currently being developed by Arts Council England

Race

Shades of Noir
Shades of Noir supports curriculum design and pedagogies of social justice through representation, cultural currency and accessible knowledge.

It’s created physical safe spaces that facilitate critical and interdisciplinary discussions.

Shades of Noir has a wonderful, wide reaching database of BAME education and creative resources.

BookTrust Represents
An online community offering development and networking opportunities for established and emerging authors and illustrators of colour.  See more here.

Creative Debuts Black Artists Grant
The BAG offer is no-strings attached financial support to help selected artists with making new work, buying equipment or materials, travel, research, visiting exhibitions or conferences, or covering some of life’s expenses.

Pathways
Pathways is a two-year illustration programme for a diverse group of talented and ambitious artists who want to be the next generation of children’s illustrators

It’s Nice That
Its Nice That published a great list of resources for supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Black British Illustrators Network
A closed Facebook Group set up by Dapo Adeola to help those who want to increase their skills and join the commercial illustration industry.

The Fab Prize
The FAB Prize aims to discover and showcase new talent, closing the gap between what’s currently published and the reality for many families.

Cartoonists of Colour Database

This database brings together a searchable online platform for Cartoonists of Colour

Commissioning Black Illustrators

Drawing While Black
Twitter: #drawingwhileblack
View the directory here. Request access to view directory. Request to add yourself to directory.

Fuse Directory
A global inclusive platform elevating voices and work from creatives of colour. Find out how to start your own chapter of Fuse or join your local chapter. (The Directory was started in Manchester UK by Jaheed Hussain.)

The Black Book
A free directory for people who want to support Black creatives.

Teen Librarian
UK BAME authors and illustrators are listed here.

Black British Illustrators
Great Twitter thread here.

Cartoonists of Colour Database
The Cartoonists of Color, Queer Cartoonists, and Disabled Cartoonists databases were created and are maintained by cartoonist MariNaomi as a way to spotlight marginalised comics creators. Visit the site here.

LGBTQ+

Queer Cartoonists Database
The database, created by and maintained by cartoonist MariNaomi to uplift and share marginalized comics creators. Visit the site here.

Trans Creative (covers all art forms)
“Trans Creative was launched onto the world in 2017. Since then, transgender politics have rarely been out of the news – often meaning one step forward, and two steps back for the trans community. We are seen, but not heard, we make headlines, but don’t get to write the copy. Trans Creative have been countering media negativity through our mission to “Tell our own stories” which is more important now than ever.”  More here.

Mental Health

AOI
Our mental health resource designed specifically for creative freelancers, was developed in collaboration with the Society of Authors and Association of Photographers, it provides relevant information and signposts readers to organisations for further, professional support.

Mental health and Race
Black Lives Matter continues to push for proactive, challenging conversations. Some organisations have specific resources that can help people navigate these, including:

Young Minds, a children and young people’s mental health charity with appropriately geared resources.

The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network with services available throughout the UK, offer free counselling for the BME community.

The Mental health charity Mind runs projects and programmes for young black men.

This article lists 10 organisations supporting black mental health and wellbeing.

General

Arts Council England (ACE)
ACE has resources, discussions and guidance around diversity and inclusion in the arts.

Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland has its Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion plan.

Arts Emergency
Mentorship scheme aimed at young people interested in Arts and Humanities.  You might want to consider being a mentor — or being mentored.

The Open University

The OU shares a range of free online learning resources and courses. Click here to find out more.

Equality and Human Rights Commission

EHRC has produced two new resources aimed at promoting human rights awareness and action in the workplace and in schools across Britain.

The AOI would like to make resources accessible to all members. If you would like an alternative format please ask.